lly 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:

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,