SIR, 



351 



TO MY MOST WORTHY FATHER AND FRIEND, 



MR. IZAAK WALTOX, THE ELDER. 



Being you were pleased, some years past, to grant me your free 

 leave to do what I have here attempted ; and observing you never 

 retract any promise, when made in favour even of your meanest 

 friends, I accordingly expect to see these following particular direc- 

 tions for the taking of a Trout, to wait upon your better and more 

 general Rules for all sorts of Angling : and, though mine be neither 

 so perfect, so well digested, nor indeed so handsomely couched, as 

 they might have been, in so long a time as since your leave was 

 granted ; yet I dare affirm them to be generally true : and they had 

 appeared too in something a neater dress, but that I was surprised 

 with the sudden news of a sudden new edition of your ''Complete 

 Angler ; " so that, having but a little more than ten days' time to turn 

 me in, and rub up my memory, for, in truth, I have not, in all this 

 long time (done so), though I have often thought on't, and almost as 

 often resolved to go presently about it, I was forced upon the instant 

 to scribble what I here present you : which I have also endeavoured 

 to accommodate to your own method. And, if mine be clear enough 

 for the honest Brothers of the Angle readily to understand, which is 

 the only thing I aim at, then I have my end, and shall need to make no 

 further apology ; a writing of this kind not requiring, if I were master 

 of any such thing, any eloquence to set it off, or recommend it. So 

 that if you, in your better judgment, or kindness rather, can allow it 

 passable, for a thing of this nature, you will then do me honour, if the 

 Cypher, fixed and carved in the front of my little fishing-house, may 

 be here explained : and permit me to attend you in public, who, in 

 private, have ever been, am, and ever resolve to be, Sir, 



Your most affectionate Sou and Servant, 



BERESFORD, 

 I0th of March, 1675- 



SIR, 



TO MY MOST HONOURED FRIEND, 



CHARLES COTTON, ESQ. 



You now see I have returned you your very pleasant and useful 

 discourse of the Art of Fly-fishing, printed just as it was sent me : 

 for I have been so obedient to your desires, as to endure all the praises 

 you have ventured to fix upon me in it. And, when I have thanked 



