LIFE OF WALTON. 5 



of printing into this kingdom, to that of the first publication of 

 Walton's book, in 1653, an interval of more than one hundred 

 and fifty years, only five books on this subject had been given to 

 the world. Of the four latest, some mention is made in the 

 margin ; l but the first of that number, as well on account of its 

 quaintness as antiquity, and because it is not a little character- 

 istic of the age when it was written, deserves to be particularly 

 distinguished. This tract, entitled "The Treatyse of Fyshynge 

 wyth an Angle," makes part of a book, like many others of that 

 early time, without a title ; but which, by the colophon, appears 

 to have been printed at Westminster, by Wynkyn de Worde, 

 1496, in a small folio, containing a treatise "On Hawking;" 

 another, " On Hunting," in verse (taken, as it seems, from a 

 tract, on that subject, written by old Sir Tristram, an ancient 

 forester) ; a book wherein is determined the " Lygnage of Cote 

 Armures ; " the above-mentioned treatise on Fishing ; and the 

 method of " Blasynge of Armes." 



The book printed by Wynkyn de Worde is, in truth, a repub- 

 lication of one known, to the curious, by the name of the " Book 

 of St. Alban's," which appears by the colophon was printed, 

 there, in 1486, with Caxton's letter. 2 Wynkyn de Worde's 

 impression has the addition of the treatise of fishing ; of which 

 only it concerns us to speak. 



1 " A booke of fishing with hooke and line, and of all other instruments 

 thereunto belonging. Another of sundrie engines and traps to take pole- 

 cats, buzzards, rats, mice, and all other kinds of vermine and beasts 

 whatsoever, most profitable for all warriners, and such as delight in this 

 kind of sport and pastime. Made by L. M. 4to. London, 1590, 1596, 

 1600." 



It appears by a variety of evidence, that the person meant by these 

 initials was Leonard Mascall, an author who wrote on planting and 

 grafting, and also 011 cattle. 



"Approved Experiments touching Fish and Fruit, to be regarded by the 

 lovers of Angling." By Mr. John Taverner. In 4to. 1600. 



" The Secrets of Angling," a poem, in three books. By F. D., Esq. 8vo. 

 1613. Mention is made of this book in a note on a passage in the ensuing 

 dialogues ; and there is reason to think that it is the foundation of a 

 treatise entitled "The whole Art of Angling," published in 4to. 1656, by 

 the well-known Gervase Markham, as part of his ' ' Country Contentments, 

 or Husbandman's Recreations," since he confesses that the substance of his 

 book was originally in rhyme. 



"Barker's Art of Angling," printed in 12mo. in 1651, and again in 4to. 

 in 1653. A third edition was published in 1659, under the altered title of 

 "Barker's Delight, or the Art of Angling." H. 



2 Vide "BiographiaBritannica," art. Caxton, note It, wherein the author, 

 Mr. Oldys, has given a copious account of the book, and a character of the 

 lady who compiled it. H, 



