y their conditions or hasten to rival them. Nor do
I think that, by all their perturbations and fightings and runnings to
and fro, the world hath been much bettered, or even greatly changed. The
colour and complexion of mortal life, in all things that are essential,
remain the same under Cromwell or under Charles. The goodness and mercy
of God are still over all His works, whether Presbytery or Episcopacy
be set up as His interpreter. Very quietly and peacefully have I lived
under several polities, civil and ecclesiastical, and under all there
was room enough to do my duty and love my friends and go a-fishing.
And let me tell you, sir, that in the state wherein I now find myself,
though there are many things of which I may not speak to you, yet one
thing is clear: if I had made haste in my mortal concerns, I should not
have saved time, but lost it; for all our affairs are under one sure
dominion which moveth them forward to their concordant end: wherefore
'HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL NOT MAKE HASTE,' and, above all, not when he
goeth a-angling.

"But tell me, I pray you, is not this char cooked yet? Methinks the time
is somewhat overlong for the roasting. The fragrant smell of the cookery
gives me an eagerness to taste this new dish. Not that I am in haste,
but--

"Well, it is done; and well done, too! Marry, the flesh of this fish is
as red as rose-leaves, and as sweet as if he had fed on nothing else.
The flavour of smoke from the fire is but slight, and it takes nothing
from the perfection of the dish, but rather adds to it, being clean and
delicate. I like not these French cooks who make all dishes in disguise,
and set them forth with strange foreign savours, like a masquerade. Give
me my food in its native dress, even though it be a little dry. If we
had but a cup of sack, now, or a glass of good ale, and a pipeful of
tobacco?

"What! you have an abundance of the fragrant weed in your pouch? Sir, I
thank you very heartily! You entertain me like a prince. Not like King
James, be it understood, who despised tobacco and called it a 'lively
image and pattern of hell'; nor like the Czar of Russia who commanded
that all who used it should have their noses cut off; but like good
Queen Bess of glorious memory, who disdained not the incense of the
pipe, and some say she used one herself; though for my part I think the
custom of smoking one that is more fitting for men, whose frailty and
need of comfort are well known, than f