А

CONCISE TREATISE

ON THE

ART OF ANGLING,

Confirmed by actual Experience;

INTERSPERSED WITH

SEVERAL NEW AND RECENT DISCOVERIES;

THE WHOLE FORMING

A COMPLETE MUSEUM

FOR THE

LOVERS OF THAT PLEASING AND RATIONAL

RECREATION.

By THOMAS BEST,
Author of Matilda, and other Poems.

As in successive course the seasons roll,
So circling pleasures recreate the soul:
When genial spring a living warmth bestows,
And o'er the year her verdant mantle throws,
No swelling inundation hides the ground ;
But chrystal currenis ylile within their bounds;
The finny brood their worted hauuts forsake,
Float in the sun, and skim along the lake;
With frequent leap they range the shallow streams,
Ther silver coats reflect the dazzling beams.
Now let the fisherman his toils prepare,
And arm himsei' with ev'ry wai'ry share :
His hooks, his lines peruse, with careful eye,
Increase his tackle, and his rod re-tie.

GAY.

THE SIXTH EDITION,

Carefully revised.

LONDON:
Printed by Barnard and Sultzer, Water Lane, Fleet Street,
FOR B. (ROS BY AND CO. NO. 4, STATIONERS COURT,

LUDGATE STREET.

1804.

HARVARD 21:IGE LIBRARY

GiFT OF
DANIEL B. FEARING

30 JUNE 1915

The credit of this treatise is so fully established by the approbation the former editions have met with, that it would be quite superfluous to say any thing more in its favour. In the present edition, which has been revised with the greatest attention, I have been careful to avoid all newfangled rules, but have endeavoured to render those which I have before laid down more conspicuous and intelligent. Most of the late publicatiors on this pleasing and rational recreation may allure by their novelty for awhile, but are in general so vague and full of error, that, like summer insects, pereunt et imputantur, they must

perish

A 2

perish and be thought on no more !--Hop-
ing the present edition will be well received
by all judicious and discriminating An-
glers, I shall conclude with observing

-Si quid novisti rectius istis

Canidus imperti; si non, his utere mecum.

Or « Better precepts, if you can impart

Why do--I'll follow them with all my heart.”

I AM,

TILE PUBLIC's

MOST OBEDIENT

IIUMBLE SERVANT,

THOMAS BEST.

* Tottenham Hale, 1804.

* Farellent reception for Anglers at Brother Partrick's in
that village.

CONTENTS.