i6 



The Chronicle of 



manual to his work, through a latent dread (not altogether 

 unfounded), of being identified with the lexicographer's 

 memorable c fool.' 



The antique fcribe's exordium, on the contrary, was in fome 

 fuch organ-note as this. 



cc Since Pleafure is a rapture, or power in this laft age, 

 ftolne into the hearts of men, and there lodged up with fuch a 

 carefull guard and attendance, that nothing is more fupreame, 

 or ruleth with greater ftrength in their affections, and fince all 

 are now become the fonnes of Pleafure and every good is 

 meafured by the delight it produceth : what worke unto man 

 can be more thankefull than the difcourfe of that pleafure 

 which is moft comely, moft honeft, and giveth the moft liberty 

 to Divine meditation, and that, without all queftion, is th e 

 Art of Angling, which, having ever beene moft hurtlefsly 

 neceffary, hath been the fport or recreation of God's Saints, of 

 moft holy Fathers, and of many worthy and reverend Devines, 

 both dead and at this time breathing. For the ufe thereof 

 (in its own true and unabufed nature) carryeth in it neyther 

 covetoufnefs, deceipt, nor anger, the three maine fpirits which 

 ever (in fome ill meafure) rule in all other paftimes ; neyther 

 are they alone predominant, without the attendance of their 

 feverall handmaids, as Theft, Blafphemy, or Bloudfhed ; for in 

 Dice-play, Cards, Bowles, or any fport where money is the 

 goale to which mens minds are directed, what can man's avarice 

 there be accounted other than a familiar robbery, each feeking 

 by deceipt to couzen and fpoyle other of that blifle of means 

 which God had beftowed to fupport them and their families ? . . . 



