48 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [PART I. 



Thus freely speaks Montaigne concerning cats, and I hope 

 I may take as great a liberty to blame any man, and laugh 

 at him too, let him be never so grave that hath not heard 



Montaigne and his cat. 



what anglers can say in the justification of their art and 

 recreation ; which I may again tell you, is so full of pleasure 

 that we need not borrow their thoughts, to think ourselves 

 happy. 



Ven. Sir, you have almost amazed me, for though I am no 

 scoffer, yet 1 have, I pray let me speak it, without offence, 

 always looked upon anglers, as more patient, and more 

 simple men, than I fear I shall find you to be. 



Pise. Sir, I hope you will not judge my earnestness to 

 be impatience : and for my simplicity, if by that you mean 

 a harmlessness, or that simplicity which was usually found 

 in the primitive Christians, who were, as most anglers are, 

 quiet men, and followers of peace ; men that were so simply 

 wise, as not to sell their consciences to buy riches, and with 

 them vexation and a fear to die ; if you mean such simple 

 men as lived in those times when there were fewer lawyers ; 

 when men might have had a lordship safely conveyed to them 

 in a piece of parchment no bigger than your hand, though 

 several sheets will not do it safely in this wiser age ; I say, 

 sir, if you take us anglers to be such simple men as I have 

 spoken of, then myself and those of my profession will be 

 glad to be so understood : but if by simplicity you meant to 



