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angling is much more ancient than the incarnation of our Saviour； for in
the Prophet Amos mention is made of fish…hooks； and in the book of Job；
which was long before the days of Amos； for that book is said to have
been written by Moses； mention is made also of fish…hooks； which must
imply anglers in those times。
But； my worthy friend； as I would rather prove myself a gentleman； by
being learned and humble； valiant and inoffensive； virtuous and
communicable； than by any fond ostentation of riches； or； wanting those
virtues myself； boast that these were in my ancestors； and yet I grant； that
where a noble and ancient descent and such merit meet in any man； it is a
double dignification of that person； so if this antiquity of angling； which
for my part I have not forced； shall； like an ancient family； be either an
honour； or an ornament to this virtuous art which I profess to love and
practice； I shall be the gladder that I made an accidental mention of the
antiquity of it； of which I shall say no more； but proceed to that just
commendation which I think it deserves。
And for that； I shall tell you； that in ancient times a debate hath risen；
and it remains yet unresolved； whether the happiness of man in this world
doth consist more in contemplation or action？ Concerning which； some
have endeavoured to maintain their opinion of the first； by saying； that the
nearer we mortals come to God by way of imitation； the more happy we
are。 And they say； that God enjoys himself only； by a contemplation of his
own infiniteness； eternity； power； and goodness； and the like。 And upon
this ground； many cloisteral men of great learning and devotion； prefer
contemplation before action。 And many of the fathers seem to approve this
opinion； as may appear in their commentaries upon the words of our
Saviour to Martha。
And on the contrary； there want not men of equal authority and credit；
that prefer action to be the more excellent； as namely； experiments in
physick； and the application of it； both for the ease and prolongation of
man's life； by which each man is enabled to act and do good to others；
either to serve his country； or do good to particular persons： and they say
also； that action is doctrinal； and teaches both art and virtue； and is a
maintainer of human society； and for these； and other like reasons； to be
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preferred before contemplation。
Concerning which two opinions I shall forbear to add a third； by
declaring my own； and rest myself contented in telling you； my very
worthy friend； that both these meet together； and do most properly belong
to the most honest； ingenuous； quiet； and harmless art of angling。
And first； I shall tell you what some have observed； and I have found it
to be a real truth； that the very sitting by the river's side is not only the
quietest and fittest place for contemplation； but will invite an angler to it：
and this seems to be maintained by the learned Peter du Moulin； who； in
his discourse of the fulfilling of Prophecies； observes； that when God
intended to reveal any future events or high notions to his prophets； he
then carried them either to the deserts； or the sea…shore； that having so
separated them from amidst the press of people and business； and the cares
of the world； he might settle their mind in a quiet repose； and there make
them fit for revelation。
And this seems also to be imitated by the children of Israel； who
having in a sad condition banished all mirth and musick from their pensive
hearts； and having hung up their then mute harps upon the willow…trees
growing by the rivers of Babylon； sat down upon those banks； bemoaning
the ruins of Sion； and contemplating their own sad condition。
And an ingenious Spaniard says； that 〃 rivers and the inhabitants of the
watery element were made for wise men to contemplate； and fools to pass
by without consideration 〃。 And though I will not rank myself in the
number of the first； yet give me leave to free myself from the last； by
offering to you a short contemplation； first of rivers； and then of fish；
concerning which I doubt not but to give you many observations that will
appear very considerable： I am sure they have appeared so to me； and
made many an hour pass away more pleasantly； as I have sat quietly on a
flowery bank by a calm river； and contemplated what I shall now relate to
you。
And first concerning rivers； there be so many wonders reported and
written of them； and of the several creatures that be bred and live in them；
and those by authors of so good credit； that we need not to deny them an
historical faith。
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As namely of a river in Epirus that puts out any lighted torch； and
kindles any torch that was not lighted。 Some waters being drunk； cause
madness； some drunkenness； and some laughter to death。 The river Selarus
in a few hours turns a rod or wand to stone： and our Camden mentions the
like in England； and the like in Lochmere in Ireland。 There is also a river
in Arabia； of which all the sheep that drink thereof have their wool turned
into a vermilion colour。 And one of no less credit than Aristotle； tells us of
a merry river； the river Elusina； that dances at the noise of musick； for with
musick it bubbles； dances； and grows sandy； and so continues till the
musick ceases； but then it presently returns to its wonted calmness and
clearness。 And Camden tells us of a well near to Kirby； in Westmoreland；
that ebbs and flows several times every day： and he tells us of a river in
Surrey； it is called Mole； that after it has run several miles； being opposed
by hills； finds or makes itself a way under ground； and breaks out again so
far off； that the inhabitants thereabout boast； as the Spaniards do of their
river Anus； that they feed divers flocks of sheep upon a bridge。 And lastly；
for I would not tire your patience； one of no less authority than Josephus；
th