360 THE COMPLETE ANGLEK. [PABT II. 



the angle, and, doubtless, a trout affords the most pleasure 

 to the angler, of any sort of fish whatever ; and the best 

 trouts must needs make tjie best sport : but this brook, and 

 some others I have met with upon this way, are too full of 

 wood for that recreation. 



Pise. This, sir ! why this, and several others like it, which 

 you have passed, and some that you are like to pass, have 

 scarce any name amongst us : but we can show you as fine 

 rivers and as clear from wood, or any other incumbrance to 

 hinder an angler, as any you ever saw; and for clear, 

 beautiful streams, Hant shire itself, by Mr. Izaak "Walton's 

 good leave, can show none such ; nor I think any country 

 in Europe. 1 



Viat. You go far, sir, in the praise of your country rivers, 

 and I perceive have read Mr. Walton's " Complete Angler," 

 by your naming of Hantshire ; and I pray what is your 

 opinion of that book ? 



Pise. My opinion of Mr. Walton's book is the same with 

 every man's that understands any thing of the art of 

 angling, that it is an excellent good one ; and that the fore- 

 mentioned gentleman understands as much of fish, and 

 fishing, as any man living. But I must tell you further, 

 that I have the happiness to know his person, and to be 

 intimately acquainted with him; and in him to know the 

 worthiest man, and to enjoy the best and the truest friend 

 any man ever had : nay, I shall yet acquaint you further, 

 that he gives me leave to call him father, and I hope is not 

 yet ashamed to own me for his adopted son. 2 



1 "This praise (says Ephemera) will not hold good now. Apart from 

 certain preserved portions of the Dove, the other Derbyshire rivers are not 

 first-rate. They certainly are very pretty clear streams, and are difficult to 

 fly-fish ; the well-known Lathkil, on account of its extreme limpidness, the 

 most difficult of all ; indeed, it is best fished with a minnow." This brook is 

 famous for the quantity and high colour of its trout, but they are not the 

 best flavoured, and none but the relatives and friends of the Duke of Rutland 

 are permitted to fish here. The WYE, near Haddon Hall, and Longford- 

 brook, running by and through the Earl of Leicester's seat and demesne of 

 Longford, about six miles from Ashbourn, still retain their character for 

 trout and grayling. ED. 



2 This alludes to the practice of the ancient alchemists and astrologers, 

 of adopting favourite persons for their sons or pupils, to whom they imparted 

 their secrets. Ashmole, in his "Diary," p. 25, says, "Mr. Backhouse told 

 me I must now needs be his son, because he had communicated so many 



