PREFACE. 



ITHOUT a preface a book is deemed 

 incomplete. It is, accordingly, my 

 duty to supply a few introductory 

 remarks, which shall be made as 

 briefly as possible, though, for a novice, the task 

 is not a little embarrassing. 



I think I cannot better introduce the subject 

 than by quoting the admirable lines of John 

 Dennys, Esquire, in his " Secrets of Angling : " 



" Some youthful gallant here perhaps will say, 



This is no pastime for a gentleman, 

 It were more fit at cards and dice to play, 



To use both fence and dancing now and then, 

 Or walk the streets in nice and strange array, 



Or with coy phrases court his mistress's fan ; 

 A poor delight with toyl and painfull watch, 

 With losse of time a silly fish to catch. 

 ***** 

 " Let them that list these pastimes then pursue, 



And on their pleasing fancies feed their fill : 

 So I the fields and meadows green may view, 



And by the rivers clear may walke at will, 

 Among the daisies and the violets blew, 



Red hyacinth, and yellow daffodil, 

 Purple narcissus like the morning rayes, 

 Pale gandergras, and azure Culverkayes. 



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