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Pisc. Then first, for the antiquity of angling, of which I shall
not say much, but only this; some say it is as ancient as Deucalion's
flood; others, that Belus, who was the first inventor of godly and
virtuous recreations, was the first inventor of angling; and some
others say, for former times have had their disquisitions about
the antiquity of it, that Seth, one of the sons of Adam, taught
it to his sons, and that by them it was derived to posterity; others
say, that he left it engraven on those pillars which he erected,
and trusted to preserve the knowledge of mathematics, music, and
the rest of that precious knowledge, and those useful arts, which
by God's appointment or allowance, and his noble industry, were
thereby preserved from perishing in Noah's flood.
These, sir, have been the opinions of several men, that have possibly
endeavoured to make angling more ancient than is needful, or may
well be warranted; but for my part, I shall content myself in telling
you, that 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,
like an ancient family, be either an honour or an ornament shall,
to this virtuous art which I profess to love and practise, 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?
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