30 THE EPISTLE DEDICATOEY. 



Sir, this pleasant curiosity of fish and fishing, of which you are so 

 great a master, has been thought worthy the pens and practices of 

 divers in other nations, that have been reputed men of great learning 

 and wisdom. And amongst those of this nation, I remember Sir 

 Henry Wotton (a dear lover of this art) has told me that his intentions 

 were to write a discourse of the art, and in praise of angling; and 

 doubtless he had done so if death had not prevented him, the 

 remembrance of which hath often made me sorry ; for if he had lived 

 to do it, then the unlearned angler had seen some better treatise of 

 this art, a treatise that might have proved worthy his perusal, which, 

 though some have undertaken, I could never yet see in English. 



But mine may be thought as weak and as unworthy of common 

 view ; and I do here freely confess, that I should rather excuse myself 

 than censure others, my own Discourse being liable to so many ex- 

 ceptions; against which you, sir, might make this one, that it can 

 contribute nothing to your knowledge. And lest a longer epistle may 

 diminish your pleasure, I shall make this no longer than to add this 

 following truth, that I am really, 

 Sir, 

 Your most affectionate friend, 



And most humble servant, 



IZAAK WALTON. 



