They who remember the year 1800 will remember also the great controversy whether it was the beginning of a century, or the end of one; a controversy in which all Magazines, all Newspapers, and all persons took part. Now as it has been deemed expedient to divide this work, or to speak more emphatically this Opus, or more emphatically still this Ergon, into Chapters Ante-Initial and Post-Initial, a dispute of the same nature might arise among the commentators in after ages, if especial care were not now taken to mark distinctly the beginning. This therefore is the Initial Chapter, neither Ante nor Post, but standing between both; the point of initiation, the goal of the _Antes_, the starting place of the _Posts_; the mark at which the former end their career, and from whence the latter take their departure. THE DOCTOR, &c. _Eccoti il libro; mettivi ben cura Iddio t' ajuti e dia buona ventura._ ORL. INNAM. CHAPTER I. P. I. THE SUBJECT OF THIS HISTORY AT HOME AND AT TEA. If thou be a severe sour complexioned man then I here disallow thee to be a competent judge. IZAAK WALTON. The clock of St. George's had struck five. Mrs. Dove had just poured out the Doctor's seventh cup of tea. The Doctor was sitting in his arm-chair. Sir Thomas was purring upon his knees; and Pompey stood looking up to his mistress, wagging his tail, sometimes whining with a short note of impatience, and sometimes gently putting his paw against her apron to remind her that he wished for another bit of bread and butter. Barnaby was gone to the farm: and Nobs was in the stable. CHAPTER II. P. I. WHEREIN CERTAIN QUESTIONS ARE PROPOSED CONCERNING TIME, PLACE AND PERSONS. _Quis? quid? ubi? quibus auxiliis? cur? quomodo? quando?_ TECHNICAL VERSE. Thus have I begun according to the most approved forms; not like those who begin the Trojan War from Leda's egg, or the History of Great Britain from Adam, or the Life of General Washington from the Discovery of the New World; but in conformity to the Horatian precept, rushing into the middle of things. Yet the Giant Moulineau's appeal to his friend the story-telling Ram may well be remembered here; _Belier mon ami, si tu voulois commencer par le commencement tu me ferois grand plaisir_. For in the few lines of the preceding chapter how much is there that requires explanation?—Who was Nobs?—Who was Barnaby?—Who was the Doctor?—Who was Mrs. Dove?—The place, where?—The time, when?—The persons, who?— I maie not tell you all at once; But as I maie and can, I shall By order tellen you it all.