like an ancient Familie, by either an honour, or an ornament to this vertuous Art which I both love and practise, Ifhall be the gladder that I made an accidental mention of it; andshall proceed to thejuftification, or rather commendation of it.

Viat. My worthy Friend, I am much pleased with your discourse, for that you seem to be fo ingenuous, and fo modeft, as not to stretch arguments into Hyperbolicall expreffions, but fuch as indeed they will reasonably bear; and I pray, proceed to the juftification, or commendations of Angling, which I alfo long to hear from you.

Pifc. Sir, I fhall proceed; and my next difcourfe fhall be rather a Commendation, then a Juftification of Angling: for, in my judgment, if it deserves to be commended, it is more thenjustified; for fome practices that may be justified, deserve no commendation: yet there are

none

none that deserve commendation but may be justified.

And now having faid this much by way of preparation, I am next to tell you, that in ancient times a debate hath rifen, (and it is notyet refolved) Whether Contemplation or Action bethechiefeft thing wherin the happiness of a man doth most confift in this world?

Concerning which, fome have maintained their opinion ofthe first, by faying, "[That the nearer we "Mortals come to God by way of "imitation, the more happy we "are:] And that God injoyes himfelf only by Contemplation of his own Goodness, Eternity, Infiniteness, and Power, and the like; and upon this ground many of them prefer Contemplation before Action: and indeed, many ofthe Fathers feem to approve this opinion, as may appear in their Comments upon the words of our Saviour to *Martha.

And

* Luk. 10,

41,42.

And contrary to thefe, others of equal Authority and credit, have preferred Action to be chief; as experiments in Phyfick, and the application of it, both for the ease and prolongation of mans life, by which man is enabled to act, and to do good to others: And they say alfo, That Action is not only Doctrinal, but a maintainer of humane Society; and for these, and other reasons, tobe preferr'd before Contemplation.

Concerning which two opinions, I shall forbear to add a third, by declaring my own, and rest my felf contented in telling you (my worthy friend) thatboth these meettogether, and do most properly belong to the most honeft, ingenious, harmless Art of Angling.

And first Ishall tel you whatfome have observed, and I have found in my self, That the very fitting by the Rivers fide, is not only the fitteft

nc place

place for, but will invite the Angler to Contemplation: That it is thefit test place, seems to be witneffed by thechildren of Ifrael*, who having Pfal. 137.

banish'd all mirth and Mufick from their penfive hearts, and having hung up their then mute Inftruments upon the Willow trees, growing by the Rivers of Babylon, fate down upon those banks bemoaning the ruines of Sion, and contemplating their own fad condition,

And aningenuous Spaniard fayes, "[That both Rivers, and the inha"bitants of the watery Element, "were created for wife men to con"template, and fools to pass by "without confideration. And though I am too wife to rank my felf in the first number, yet give me leave to free my self from the last, by offering to thee afhortcontemplation, first of Rivers, and then of Fish: concerning which, I doubt not but to relate to you many C

things

things very confiderable.

Concerning Rivers, there be divers wonders reported of them by Authors, of fuch credit, that we need not deny them an Historical faith.

As of a River in Epirus, that puts out any lighted Torch, and kindles any Torch that was not lighted. Of the River Selarus, that in a few hours turns a rod or a wand into ftone (and our Camden mentions the like wonder in England:) that there is a River in Arabia, of which allthe Sheep thatdrink thereofhave their Woolturned into a Vermilion colour. And one of no less credit In his Won- then Ariftotle, tels us of a merry River, the River Elufina, that dances at the noise of Mufick, that with Mufick it bubbles, dances, and and Solon growes fandy, but returns to a wonted calmness and clearness when the Mufick ceases. And lastly, (for I would not tire your patience) Jofe

ders of naturc.

This is confirmed

by Ennius

in his holy History.

phus