put on concerning the merit of this Book. And I wish the Reader alfo to take notice, that in writing of it, I have made a recreation, of a recreation; and that it might prove so to thee in the reading, and not to read dull, and tediously, I have in severall places mixt fome innocent Mirth; of which, if thou be a fevere, fowr complexioned man, then I here difallow thee to be a competent Judg. For Divines fay, there are offences given; and offences taken, but not given. And I am the willinger to juftifie this innocent Mirth, because the whole difcourse is a kind of picture of my owne difpofition, at least of my difpofition in fuch daies and times as I allow my felf, when honest Nat. and R. R. and I go a fishing together; and let me adde this, that he that likes not the discourse, should like the pictures of the Trout and and other fish, which I may commend, because they concern not my self. And I am alfo to tel the Reader, that in that which is the more usefull part of this discourse; that is to fay, the observations of the nature and breeding, and seasons, and catching of fish, I am not so fimple as not to think but that he may find exceptions in fome of thefe; and therefore I must intreat him to know, or rather note, that feverall Countreys, and several Rivers alter the time and manner of fishes Breeding; and therefore if he bring not candor to the reading of this Discourse, he shall both injure me, and poffibly himself too by too many Criticisms. Now for the Art of catching fish; that is to say, how to make a man that was none, an Angler by a book: he that undertakes it, shall undertake a harder task then Hales, that * Called nat in his printed Book * underthe private took by it to teach the Art of School of Fencing, and was laught at for defence. his labour. Not but that something usefull might be obferved out of that Book; but that Art was not to be taught by words; nor is the Art of Angling. And yet, I think, that most that love that Game, may here learn something that may be worth their money, if they be not needy: and if they be, then my advice is, that they forbear; for, I write not to get money, but fo: pleasure; and this discourse boasts of no more: for I hate to promise much, and fail. But pleasure I have found both in the fearch and conference about what is here offered to thy view and cenfure; I wish thee as much in the perufal of it, and fo might here take myleave; but I will stay thee a little longer by telling thee, that whereas it is faid by many, that in Fly-fishing for for a Trout,the Angler muft obferve his twelve Flyes for every Month; I fay, if he obferve that, he shall be as certain to catch fish, as they that make Hay by the fair dayes in Almanacks, and be no furer: for doubtless, three or four Flyes rightly made, do ferve for a Trout all Summer; and for Winter-flies, all Angters know, they are as useful as an Almanack out of date. Of these (because no man is born an Artist nor an Angler) I thought fit to give thee this notice. Imight fay more, but it is not fit for this place; but if this Discourse which follows fhall come to a fecond inpreffion, which is poffible, for flight books have been in this Age obferved to have that fortune; Ishall then for thy fake be glad to correct what is faulty, or by a conference with anytoexplain or enlargewhat is defective:but for this time I have neither |