CHAP. I.] THE FIRST DAT. 359 



Viat. "Tis into Lancashire, sir, and about some business 

 of concern to a near relation of mine : for I assure you, I 

 do not use to take so long journies, as from Essex, upon the 

 single account of pleasure. 



Pise. Prom thence, sir ! I do not then wonder you should 

 appear dissatisfied with the length of the miles, and the 

 foulness of the way ; though I am sorry you should begin 

 to quarrel with them so soon : for, believe me, sir, you will 

 find the miles much longer, and the way much worse, before 

 you come to your journey's end. 



Viat. "Why truly, sir, for that, I am prepared to expect 

 the worst ; but methinks the way is mended since I had 

 the good fortune to fall into your good company. 



Pise. You are not obliged to my company for that : but 

 because you are already past the worst, and the greatest 

 part of your way to your lodging. 



Fiat. I am very glad to hear it, both for the ease of 

 myself and my horse : but especially because I may then 

 expect a freer enjoyment of your conversation : though the 

 shortness of the way will, I fear, make me lose it the sooner. 



Pise. That, sir, is not worth your care ; and I am sure 

 you deserve much better, for being content with so ill com- 

 pany. But we have already talked away two miles of your 

 journey ; for, from the brook before us, that runs at the 

 foot of this sandy hill, you have but three miles to Ashbourn. 



Viat. I meet every where in this country with these little 

 brooks ; and they look as if they were full of fish. Have 

 they not trouts in them ? 



Pise. That is a question which is to be excused in a 

 stranger, as you are : otherwise, give me leave to tell you, 

 it would seem a kind of affront to our country, to make a 

 doubt of what we pretend to be famous for, next, if not 

 before, our malt, wool, lead, and coal : for you are to under- 

 stand, that we think we have as many fine rivers, rivulets, 

 and brooks, as any country whatever ; and they are all full 

 of trouts, and some of them the best, ifc is said, by many 

 degrees in England. 



Viat. I was first, sir, in love with you, and now shall be 

 so enamoured of your country, by this account you give me 

 of it, as to wish myself a Derbyshire man, or at least that I 

 might live in it : for you must know I am a pretender to 



