CHAP. I.] THE FIRST DA Y. 



39 



" And for that, I shall tell you, that iii ancient times a debate 

 hath risen, and it remains yet unresolved, whether the happiness 

 of man in this world doth consist more in contemplation or 

 action ? * Concerning which, some have endeavoured to maintain 

 their opinion of the first ; by saying that the nearer we mortals 

 come to God by way of imitation, the more happy we are. And 

 they say that God enjoys himself only by a contemplation of his 

 own infiniteness, eternity, power, and goodness, and the like. 

 And upon this ground, many cloisteral men of great learning, and 

 devotion, prefer contemplation before action. And many of the 

 Fathers seem to approve this opinion, as may appear in their 

 commentaries upon the words of our Saviour to Martha.f 



And on the contrary, there want not men of equal authority 

 and credit, that prefer action to be the more excellent ; as, namely, 

 experiments in physic, and the application of it, both for the 

 ease and prolongation of man's life ; by which each man is 

 enabled to act and do good to others, either to serve his country, 

 or do good to particular persons : and they say also, that action 

 is doctrinal, and teaches both art and virtue, and is a maintainer 

 of human society ; and for these, and other like reasons, to be 

 preferred before contemplation. 



Concerning which two opinions I shall forbear to add a third, 

 by declaring my own ; and rest myself contented in telling you, 

 my very worthy friend, that both these meet together, and do 

 most properly belong to the most honest, ingenuous, quiet, and 

 harmless art of angling. 



8 And first, I shall tell you what some have observed, and I 

 have found it to be a real truth, that the very sitting by the 

 river's side is not only the quietest and fittest place for contem- 

 plation, but will invite an angler to it : and this seems to be 

 maintained by the learned Peter du MouUn,i who, in his discourse 



VARIATIONS. 



7 And now having said thus much by way of preparation, I am next to tell you that 

 in ancient times a debate hath risen (and it is not yet resolved) whether contemplation 

 or action be the chiefest thing wherein the happiness of a man doth most consist in this 

 world ? Concerning which, &c. 



8 Aiid first I shall tell you what some have observed, and I have found in myself, that 

 the very sitting by the river's side is not only the fittest place for, but will invite the 

 anglers to contemjjlation': that it is the fittest place seems to be witnessed by the children 

 of Israel, who having banished, &c. 



* This is a question which many persons of wit, especially among the Ttahan writers, 

 have discussed ; a disquisition in the judgment of Lord Clarendon about as profitable as 

 whether a long journey is best undertaken on a black or a bay horse. See Lord Claren- 

 don's Tracts, p. 167. — H. f Luke x. 41, 42. 



X Dr Peter du Moulin, Prebendary of Canterbury, and author of several pieces in the 



