14 
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ON ANGLING. 
dyous armony of fowles ; lie seeth the yongo swaunes, hee- 
rons, duckes, cotes, and many other fowles, wyth theyr 
brodes ; whycho me semyth better than alle the noyse of 
houndys, the blastes of homys, and the scrye of foulis, that 
hunters, fawkenere, and fowlers can make. And if the 
angler take fysshe ; surely, thenne, is there noo man merier 
than he is in his spyryte.” 
Walton also makes mention of a Dr. Nowell, Dean of the 
Cathedral of St. Paul’s, and author of the present Church 
Catechism, who lived in the reign of Henry the Eighth. He 
is represented as a good man, a constant practiser of an"lin» 
and as employing the tenth part of his time in that sport. In 
an ancient picture, (which would, by the way, be rather more 
curious than the book above-mentioned) he is represented as 
leaning with one hand on a desk, holding a Bible, whilst at 
his side lie lus lines, hook, and other tackle, with several kinds 
of rods ; underneath is written “ that he died in 1601 at the 
age of 95 years ; that age had neither dimmed his eyes nor 
weakened his memory; and that Angling and Temperance 
were the causes of these blessings.” Sir Henry Wotton, who 
lived about the same period says, “ ’twas an employment for 
his idle time, which was not then idly spent ; for Anglin" was 
after tedious study a rest to his mind; a cheerer of his spirits; 
a diverter of sadness ; a calmer of unquiet thoughts ; a mode- 
rator of passions ; a procurer of contentedness.” 
Joe Davors,* who wrote about the same time, runs prettily 
off in this style : J 
“hot me live harmlessly; and near the brink 
Of Trent or Avon have a dwelling place; 
Where I may see iny rjuill or cork down sink, 
With eager bite of porch, or roach, or dace; 
And on tho world and my Creator think; 
Whilst some men strive ill gotten goods t’ crabraco, 
* John Dennys, Esq., author of “ Socrets of Angling,” A. D. 1613. 
