they being reputed the worst or coarseft of fresh water fish: but the Barbell affords an Angler choice fport, being a luftie and a cunning fish; fo luftie and cunning as to endanger the breaking of the Anglers line, by running his head forcibly towards any covert or hole, or bank, and then striking at the line,to break it off with his tail (as is obferved by Plutark, in his book De induftria animalium) and also so cunning to nibble and fuck off your worme close to the hook, and yet avoid the letting the hook come into his mouth.

The Barbellis alfo curious for his baits, that is to fay, that they be clean and sweet; that is to fay, to have your worms well fcowred,and not kept in fowre or muftie mofs; for at a well scowred Lob-worm, he will bite as boldly as at any bait, especially, if the night or two before you fish for him, you shall bait the 0 4

places

you

places where you intend to fish for him with big worms cut into pieces; and Gentles (not being too much fcowred, but green) are a choice bait for him, and fo is cheese, which is not to be too hard, but kept a day or two in a wet linnen cloth to make it tough; with this you may also bait the water a day or two before fifh for the Barbel, and be much the likelier to catch store; and if the cheese were laid in clarified honey a fhort time before (as namely, an hour or two) you were still the likelier to catch fish; fome have directed to cut the cheese into thin pieces, and tofte it, and then tye it on the hook with fine Silk: and some advise to fifh for the Barbell with Sheeps tallow and foft cheese beaten or work'd into a Pafte, and that it is choicely good in August; and I believe it: but doubtlefs the Lobworm well fcoured, and the Gentle not too much scowred, and cheese ordered

ordered as I have directed, are baits enough, and I think will ferve in any Month; though I fhall commend any Angler that tryes conclufions, and is industrious to improve the Art. And now,my honest Scholer, the long showre, and my tedious discourse are both ended together; and I shall give you but this Obfervation, That when you fifh for a Barbell, your Rod and Line be both long, and of good ftrength, for you will find him a heavy and a doged fish to be dealt withal, yet he seldom or never breaks his hold if he be once trucken.

And now lets go and see what interest the Trouts will pay us for letting our Angle-rods lye fo long and fo quietly in the water. Come, Scholer; which will you take up? Viat. Which you think fit, Ma

fter.

Pifc. Why, you shall take up that; for I am certain by viewing

the

Look

Come

the Line, it has a fish at it. you, Scholer, well done. now, take up the other too; well, now you may tell my brother Peter at night, that you have caught a lease of Trouts this day. And now lets move toward our lodging, and drink a draught of Red-Cows milk, as we go, and give pretty_Maudlin and her mother a brace of Trouts for their fupper.

Viat. Mafter, I like your moti on very well, and I think it is now about milking time, and yonder they be at it.

Pifc. God fpeed you good woman, I thank you both for our Songs laft night; I and my companion had fuch fortune a fishing this day, that we refolve to give you and Maudlin a brace of Trouts for fupper, and we will now taste a draught of your Red Cows milk.

Milkw. Marry, and that you shal with all my heart, and I will be still your

your

debtor: when you come next this way, if you will but speak the word, I will make you a good Sillabub, and then you may fit down in a Hay-cock and eat it,and Maudlin shal fit by and fing you the good old Song of the Hunting in Chevy Chafe, or fome other good Ballad, for the hath good store of them: Maudlin hath a notable memory.

Viat. We thank you, and intend once in a Month to call upon you again, and give you a little warning, and fo good night; good night Maudlin. And now, good Master, lets lofe no time, but tell me fomewhat more of fishing; and if you please, first something of fishing for a Gudgion.

Pifc. I will, honeft Scholer. The Gudgion is an excellent fish to eat, and good also to enter a young Angler; he is eafie to bee taken with a fmal red worm at the ground and is one of those leather mouthed