The Complete Angler | Page 3

as soon think of consulting Izaak Walton as they would Dame Juliana Berners. But anyone can catch fish--can he, do you say?--the thing is to have so written about catching them that your book is a pastoral, the freshness of which a hundred editions have left unexhausted,--a book in which the grass is for ever green, and the shining brooks do indeed go on forever.
RICHARD LE GALLIENNE_.

[Frontispiece Text:
The Compleat Angler or the Contemplative Man's Recreation.
Being a Discourse of FISH and FISHING, Not unworthy the perusal of most Anglers.
Simon Peter said, I go a fishing; and they said. We also wil go with thee. John 21.3.
London, Printed by T. Maxes for RICH. MARRIOT, in S. Dunstans Churchyard Fleet Street, 1653.]

To the Right Worshipful JOHN OFFLEY Of MADELY Manor in the County of Stafford, Esq, My most honoured Friend.
SIR,
_I have made so ill use of your former favors, as by them to be encouraged to intreat that they may be enlarged to the patronage and protection of this Book; and I have put on a modest confidence, that I shall not be denyed, because 'tis a discourse of Fish and Fishing, which you both know so well, and love and practice so much.
You are assur'd (though there be ignorant men of an other belief) that Angling is an Art; and you know that Art better then any that I know: and that this is truth, is demostrated by the fruits of that pleasant labor which you enjoy when you purpose to give rest to your mind, and devest your self of your more serious business, and (which is often) dedicate a day or two to this Recreation.
At which time, if common Anglers should attend you, and be eye-witnesses of the success, not of your fortune, but your skill, it would doubtless beget in them an emulation to be like you, and that emulation might beget an industrious diligence to be so: but I know it is not atainable by common capacities.
Sir, this pleasant curiositie of Fish and Fishing (of which you are so great a Master) has been thought worthy the_ pens and practices _of divers in other Nations, which have been reputed men of great_ Learning and Wisdome; _and amongst those of this Nation, I remember Sir_ Henry Wotton _(a dear lover of this Art) has told me, that his intentions were to write a discourse of the Art, and in the praise of Angling, and doubtless he had done so, if death had not prevented him; the remembrance of which hath often made me sorry; for, if he had lived to do it, then the unlearned Angler (of which I am one) had seen some Treatise of this Art worthy his perusal, which (though some have undertaken it) I could never yet see in English.
But mine may be thought: as weak and as unworthy of common view: and I do here freely confess that I should rather excuse myself, then censure others my own Discourse being liable to so many exceptions; against which, you (Sir) might make this one, That it can contribute nothing to your knowledge; and lest a longer Epistle may diminish your pleasure, I shall not adventure to make this Epistle longer then to add this following truth_, That I am really, Sir,
Your most affectionate Friend, and most humble Servant,
Iz. Wa.

To the _Reader of this Discourse_: But especially, To the honest ANGLER.
I think fit to tell thee these following truths; that I did not undertake to write, or to publish this discourse of fish and fishing, to please my self, and that I wish it may not displease others; for, I have confest there are many defects in it. And yet, I cannot doubt, but that by it, some readers may receive so much profit or pleasure, as if they be not very busie men, may make it not unworthy the time of their perusall; and this is all the confidence that I can put on concerning the merit of this Book.
And I wish the Reader also 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 some innocent Mirth; of which, if thou be a severe, sowr complexioned man, then I here disallow thee to be a competent Judg. For Divines say, _there are offences given; and offences taken, but not given_. And I am the willinger to justifie this innocent Mirth, because the whole discourse is a kind of picture of my owne disposition, at least of my disposition in such daies and times as I allow my self, when honest Nat. and _R. R._ and I go a fishing together; and let me adde