40 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [pakt i. 



of the fulfilling of Prophecies, observes, that when God intended to 

 reveal any future events or high notions to his prophets, he then 

 carried them either to the deserts or the sea-shore, that having so 

 separated them from amidst the press of people and business, 

 and the cares of the world, he might settle their mind in a quiet 

 repose, and there make them fit for revelation. 



And this seems also to be intimated by the children of Israel,* 

 who having in a sM condition banished all mirth and music 

 from their pensive hearts, and having hung up their then mute 

 harps upon the willow-trees growing by the rivers of Babylon, sat 

 down upon those banks, bemoaning the ruins of Sion, and con- 

 templating their own sad condition. 

 \ And an ingenious Spaniard f says that " rivers and the 

 "^ inhabitants of the watery element were made for wise men to 

 contemplate, and fools to pass by without consideration." And 

 though I will not rank myself in the number of the first, yet give 

 me leave to free myself from the last, by offering to you a short 

 contemplation, first of rivers, and then of fish ; concerning which 

 I doubt not but to give you many observations that will appear 

 very considerable : I am sure they have appeared so to me, and 

 made many an hour pass away more pleasantly, as I have sat 

 quietly on a flowery bank by a calm river, and contemplated what 

 I shall now relate to you. 



^And first concerning rivers ; there be so many wonders 



VARIATION. 



5 Concerning rivers, tliere be divers wonders reported of them by authors of snch 

 credit, that we need not deny them an historical faith. As of a river in Epinis, 

 that puts out any hghted torch, and Icindles any torch that was not lighted. Of the 

 river, Belarus, that in a few hours turns a rod or a wand into stone, and our Camden 

 mentions the lilce wonder in England. That there is a river in Arabia, of which all the 

 sheep that drink thereof have their wool turned into a vermilion colour. And one of no 

 Jess credit than Aristotle, tells us of a merry river, the river Elusina, that dances at the 

 noise of music, that with music it bubbles, dances, and grows sandy, but returns to a 

 wonted calmness and clearness when the music ceases. And lastly, for I would not tire 

 your patience, Josephus, that learned Jew, tells us of a river in Judea, and runs and 

 moves swiftly all the six days of the week, and stands still and rests upon their Sabbath- 

 day. 



Romish controversy. — H. Du Moulin's Treatise, entitled " The Accomplishment of the 

 Prophecies," was translated from the French, by J. Heath, and printed in octavo, at 

 Oxford, in 1613. The passage which Walton quotes, or rather apphes to his purpose, is 

 in the Preface to the Reader. *'For as God intending to reyeale future events to, his 

 prophets, withdrew them aside, and carried them either to the desert, or els to the sea- 

 shore, that so havingpluckt them from amidst the presse, he might settle their minds in 

 a quiet repose ; so thinke I, that to dive into their prophecies a man need be free from 

 all cares, and to partake of their rest, that he may partake of the cleernesse of their 

 spirit."— E. 



* Psalm cxxxvii. 



t It is said by Moses Browne, that the person here meant was John Valdesso, and that 

 the passage in the text occurs in his Considerations : but upon a careful perusal of that 

 book for the purpose, no such sentiment has been found. — H. 



