文档介绍：PLEAT ANGLER
PLEAT
ANGLER
IZAAK WALTON
1
PLEAT ANGLER
To the Right worshipful
John Offley
of Madeley Manor, in the County of Stafford Esquire, My most
honoured Friend
Sir,-- I have made so ill use of your former favours, as by them to be
encouraged to entreat, 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 denied, because it is a discourse of Fish and Fishing, which you
know so well, and both love and practice so much.
You are assured, though there be ignorant men of another belief, that
Angling is an Art: and you know that Art better than others; and that this is
truth is demonstrated by the fruits of that pleasant labour which you enjoy,
when you purpose to give rest to your mind, and divest yourself of your
more serious business, and, which is often, dedicate a day or two to this
recreation.
At which time, mon Anglers should attend you, and be
eyewitnesses of the ess, 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 attain
bye mon capacities: and there be now many men of great wisdom,
learning, and experience, which love and practice this Art, that know I
speak the truth.
Sir, this pleasant curiosity 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, that have been reputed men of great learning and wisdom.
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 praise of Angling; and doubtless he had done so, if death
had not prevented him; the remembrance of which had often made me
sorry, for if he had lived to do it, then the unlearned Angler had seen some
better treatise of this Art, a treatise that might have