CHAP. I.] THE F1KST DAT. 65 



it, then doubt not but angling will prove to be so pleasant, 

 that it will prove to be, like virtue, a reward to itself. 



Fen. Sir, I am now become so full of expectation, that I 

 long much to have you proceed, and in the order that you 

 propose. 



Pise. Then first, for the antiquity of angling, of which I 

 shall not say much, but only this ; some say it is as ancient 

 as Deucalion's flood ; others, that Belus, who was the first 

 inventor of godly and virtuous recreations, was the first 

 inventor of angling ; and some others say, for former times 

 have had their disquisitions about the antiquity of it, that 

 Seth, one of the sons of Adam, taught it to his sons, and that 

 by them it was derived to posterity ; others say, that he left- 

 it engraven on those pillars which he erected, and trusted to 

 preserve the knowledge of the mathematics, music, and the 

 rest of that precious knowledge, and those useful arts, which 

 by God's appointment or allowance, and his noble industry, 

 were thereby preserved from perishing in Noah's flood. 



These, sir, have been the opinions of several men, that 

 have possibly endeavoured to make angling more ancient 

 than is needful, or may well be warranted ; but for my part, 

 I shall content myself in telling you, that angling is much 

 more ancient than the incarnation of our Saviour ; for in the 

 Prophet Amos, mention is made offish-hooks; and in the book 

 of Job, which was long before the days of Amos, for that book 

 is said to have been written by Moses, mention is made also 

 of fish-hooks, which must imply anglers in those times. 



But, my worthy friend, as I would rather prove myself a 

 gentleman, by being learned and humble, valiant and inof- 

 fensive, virtuous and communicable, than by any fond osten- 

 tation of riches, or, wanting those virtues myself, boast that 

 these were in my ancestors ; (and yet, I grant, that where 

 a noble and ancient descent and such merit meet in any 

 man, it is a double dignification of that person ;) so if this 



the cardinal virtues can be persuaded to go a-fishing, the angler may as well 

 stay at home : for hear what Mr. Markham says as to fortitude; " Then 

 must he be strong and valiant ; neither to be amazed with storms, nor 

 affrighted with thunder : and if he is not temperate, but has a gnawing 

 stomach, that will not endure much fasting, but must observe hours, it 

 troubleth the mind and body, and loseth that delight which maketh the 

 pastime only pleasing." H. 





