The Complete Angler | Page 3

above such literary drudgery,
there is no further need for their perpetuation. For I imagine that the
men to-day who really catch fish, as distinguished from the men who
write sentimentally about angling, would 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