64 THE COMPLETE ANGLEK. [PART I. 



with the same high and happy thoughts that now possesses 

 me of it ; not only of the antiquity of angling, but that it 

 deserves commendations ; and that it is an art, and an art 

 worthy the knowledge and practice of a wise man. 



Ven. Pray, sir, speak of them what you. think fit, for we 

 have yet five miles to the THATCHED-HOUSE ; during which 

 walk, I dare promise you, my patience and diligent attention 

 shall not be wanting. And if you shall make that to appear 

 which you have undertaken first, that it is an art, and an 

 art worth the learning, I shall beg that I may attend you 

 a day or two a-fisjiing, and that I may become your scholar 

 and be instructed in the art itself which you so much 

 magnify. 



Pise. O, sir, doubt not but that angling is an art ; is it 

 not an art to deceive a trout with an artificial fly ? a trout 

 that is more sharp-sighted than any hawk you have named, 

 and more watchful and timorous than your high-mettled 

 merlin is bold ? l and yet I doubt not to catch a brace or 

 two to-morrow, for a friend's breakfast : doubt not, there- 

 fore, sir, but that angling is an art, and an art worth 

 your learning. The question is rather, whether you be 

 capable of learning it? for angling is somewhat like poetry, 

 men are to be born so : I mean with inclinations to it, 

 though both may be heightened by discourse and practice ; 

 but he that hopes to be a good angler, must not only bring 

 an inquiring, searching, observing wit, but he must bring a 

 large measure of hope and patience, and a love and pro- 

 pensity to the art itself ; 2 but having once got and practised 



1 This is a mistake : it was Auceps and not Venator, that named the 

 Hawks ; and Auceps had before taken his leave of these his companions. H. 



2 Markham, in his " Country Contentments," has a whole chapter on the 

 subject of the "Angler's Apparel, and Inward Qualities ;" some of which 

 are, ' ' That he be a general scholar, and seen in all the liberal sciences ; as 

 a grammarian, to know how to write, or discourse of his art in true 

 and fitting terms. He should," says he, "have sweetness of speech, to 

 entice others to delight in an exercise so much laudable. He should 

 have strength of argument, to defend and maintain his profession against 

 envy and slander." H. 



' ' A man would think, now, that with proper baits, good tackle in his 

 pannier, and so much science in his head, our angler would stand a pretty 

 good chance to catch fish ; but, alas ! those are little to the purpose, without 

 the Christian virtues of faith, hope and charity ; and unless two at least of 



