A

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,
A new Edition, carefully corrected.

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 currents glide within their bounds;
The finny brood their wonted haunts forsake,
Float in the sun, and skim along the lake;

With frequent leap they range the shallow streams,
Their silver coats reflect the dazzling beams.
Now let the fisherman his toils prepare,
And arm himself with every wat'ry snare;
His hooks, his lines peruse, with careful eye,
Increase his tackle, and his rod re-tie.

GAY.

LONDON:

Printed by T. Plummer, Seething-Lane, Tower-Street.

FOR B. CROSBY AND CO. NO. 4, STATIONERS COURT,

LUDGATE HILL.

ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.

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 publications on this pleasing and rational recreation may allure by their novelty for a while, but are in general so vague and full of error, that, like summer insects, pereunt et imputantur, they must perish and be thought on no more. Hoping

B

the present edition will be well received by

all judicious and discriminating Anglers, I shall conclude with observing,

-Si quid novisti rectius istis

Candidus imperti; si non, his utere mecum.

Or, "Better precepts if you can impart,