TowriteonWaltonis，indeed，toholdacandletothesun。
Theeditorhasbeencontenttogiveasummaryofthechieforrathertheonlyknown，eventsinWalton’slonglife，addinganoticeofhischaracterasdisplayedinhisBiographiesandinTheCompleatAngler，withcommentsontheancientandmodernpracticeoffishing，illustratedbypassagesfromWalton’sforegoersandcontemporaries。LikealleditorsofWalton，heowesmuchtohispredecessors，SirJohnHawkins，Oldys，Major，and，aboveall，tothelearnedSirHarrisNicolas。
HISLIFE
ThefeweventsinthelonglifeofIzaakWaltonhavebeencarefullyinvestigatedbySirHarrisNicolas。Allthatcanbeextricatedfromdocumentsbythealchemyofresearchhasbeenselected，andIamunawareofanyimportantacquisitionssinceSirHarrisNicolas’ssecondeditionof1860。IzaakwasofanoldfamilyofStaffordshireyeomen，probablydescendantsofGeorgeWaltonofYoxhall，whodiedin1571。Izaak’sfatherwasJarvisWalton，whodiedinFebruary1595—6；ofIzaak’smothernothingisknown。IzaakhimselfwasbornatStafford，onAugust9，1593，andwasbaptizedonSeptember21。HediedonDecember15，1683，havinglivedinthereignsofElizabeth，JamesI。，CharlesI。，undertheCommonwealth，andunderCharlesII。Theanxiousandchangefulagethroughwhichhepassedisincontrastwithhisverypacificcharacterandtranquilpursuits。
OfWalton’seducationnothingisknown，exceptontheevidenceofhiswritings。HemayhavereadLatin，butmostofthebooksheciteshadEnglishtranslations。Didhelearnhisreligionfrom’hismotherorhisnurse’？Itwillbeseenthatthefreespeculationofhisagelefthimuntouched：perhapshispietywasawakened，fromchildhood，undertheinstructionofapiousmother。Hadhebeenorphanedofbothparents（ashasbeensuggested）hemighthavebeenlessamenabletoauthority，andalessnotableexampleofthevirtueswhichAnglicanismsovainlyopposedtoPuritanismism。Hisliterarybeginningsareobscure。Thereexistsacopyofawork，TheLovesofAmosandLaura，writtenbyS。P。，publishedin1613，andagainin1619。Theeditionof1619isdedicatedto’Iz。
Wa。’：—
’ThoubeingcauseITISASNOWITIS’；
theDedicationdoesnotoccurintheoneimperfectknowncopyof1613。Conceivablythewords，’asnowitis’refertotheeditionof1619，whichmighthavebeenemendedbyWalton’sadvice。Buttherearenoemendations，henceitismoreprobablethatWaltonrevisedthepoemin1613，whenhewasamanoftwenty，orthathemerelyadvisedtheauthortopublish：—
’For，hadstthouheldthytongue，bysilencemightThesehavebeenburiedinoblivion’snight。’
S。P。alsoremarks：—
’Noillthingcanbeclothedinthyverse’；
henceIzaakwasalreadyarhymer，andaharmlessone，undertheRoyalPrentice，gentleKingJamie。
BythistimeWaltonwasprobablysettledinLondon。Adeedinthepossessionofhisbiographer，Dr。Johnson’sfriend，SirJohnHawkins，showsthat，in1614，WaltonheldhalfofashoponthenorthsideofFleetStreet，twodoorswestofChanceryLane：theotheroccupantwasahosier。Mr。NichollhasdiscoveredthatWaltonwasmadefreeoftheIronmongers’
CompanyonNov。12，1618。HeisstyledanIronmongerinhismarriagelicence。ThefactsaregiveninMr。Marston’sLifeofWalton，prefixedtohiseditionofTheCompleatAngler（1888）。Itisoddthataprenticeironmongershouldhavebeenapoetandacriticofpoetry。Dr。Donne，before1614，wasVicarofSt。Dunstan’sintheWest，andinWaltonhadaparishioner，adisciple，andafriend。Izaakgreatlylovedthesocietyoftheclergy：heconnectedhimselfwithEpiscopalfamilies，andhadanaturaltasteforaBishop。
ThroughDonne，perhaps，oritmaybeinconverseacrossthecounter，hemadeacquaintancewithHalesofEton，Dr。King，andSirHenryWotton，himselfanangler，andonewho，likeDonneandIzaak，lovedaghoststory，andhadseveralinhisfamily。Drayton，theriver—poet，authorofthePolyolbion，isalsospokenofbyWaltonas’myolddeceasedfriend。’
OnDec。27，1626，Waltonmarried，atCanterbury，RachelFloud，aniece，onthematernalside，byseveraldescents，ofCranmer，thefamousArchbishopofCanterbury。TheCranmerswereintimatewiththefamilyofthejudiciousHooker，andWaltonwasagainconnectedwithkinsfolkofthatcelebrateddivine。Donnediedin1631，leavingtoWalton，andtootherfriends，abloodstoneengravedwithChristcrucifiedonananchor：thesealisimpressedonWalton’swill。WhenDonne’spoemswerepublishedin1633，Waltonaddedcommendatoryverses：—
’Asalllament（Orshould）thisgeneralcauseofdiscontent。’
Theparenthetic’orshould’ismuchinWalton’smanner。
’Witnessmymildpen，notusedtoupbraidtheworld，’isalsoapleasantandaccuratepieceofself—criticism。’Iamhisconvert，’Waltonexclaims。Inacitationfromamanuscriptwhichcannotbefound，andperhapsneverexisted，Waltonisspokenofas’averysweetpoetinhisyouth，andmorethanallinmattersoflove。’{1}Donnehadbeeninthesamecase：
he，orTime，mayhaveconvertedWaltonfromamorousditties。
Walton，inaneditionofDonne’spoemsof1635，writesof’Thisbook（dryemblem）whichbeginsWithlove；butendswithtearsandsighsforsins。’
Thepreacherandhisconverthadprobablyasimilarhistoryoftheheart：asweshallsee，Walton，liketheCyclops，hadknownlove。Earlyin1639，WottonwrotetoWaltonaboutaproposedLifeofDonne，tobewrittenbyhimself，andhoped’toenjoyyourowneverwelcomecompanyintheapproachingtimeoftheFlyandtheCork。’Wottonwasafly—fisher；thecork，orfloat，or’tremblingquill，’marksIzaakforthebottom—fisherhewas。WottondiedinDecember1639；WaltonprefixedhisownLifeofDonnetothatdivine’ssermonsin1640。Hesays，intheDedicationofthereprintof1658，that’ithadtheapprobationofourlatelearnedandeloquentKing，’themartyredCharlesI。Livingin，oratthecornerofChanceryLane，Waltonisknowntohaveheldparochialoffice：
hewasevenelected’scavenger。’Hehadthemisfortunetolosesevenchildren——ofwhomthelastdiedin1641——hiswife，andhismother—in—law。In1644heleftChanceryLane，andprobablyretiredfromtrade。Hewas，ofcourse，aRoyalist。
SpeakingoftheentryoftheScots，whocame，asoneofthemsaid，’forthegoods，——andchattelsoftheEnglish，’heremarks，’Isawandsufferedbyit。’{2}Healsomentionsthathe’saw’shopsshutbytheirownerstillLaudshouldbeputtodeath，inJanuary1645。InhisLifeofSanderson，Waltonvouchesforananecdoteof’theknowingandconscientiousKing，’Charles，who，hesays，meanttodopublicpenanceforStrafford’sdeath，andfortheabolishingofEpiscopacyinScotland。Butthecondition，’peaceablepossessionoftheCrown，’wasnotgrantedtoCharles，norcouldhavebeengrantedtoaprincewhowishedtoreintroduceBishopsinScotland。WaltonhadhisinformationfromDr。
Morley。OnNov。25，1645，Waltonprobablywrote，thoughJohnMarriottsigned，anAddresstotheReader，printed，in1646，withQuarles’sShepherd’sEclogues。Thepieceisalittleidyllinprose，and’angle，lines，andflies’arenotomittedinthedescriptionof’thefruitfulmonthofMay，’whilePanisimploredtorestoreArcadianpeacetoBritannia，’andgrantthateachhonestshepherdmayagainsitunderhisownvineandfig—tree，andfeedhisownflock，’whentheKingcomes，nodoubt。’About’1646WaltonmarriedAnne，half—sisterofBishopKen，alady’ofmuchChristianmeeknesse。’SirHarrisNicolasthinksthatheonlyvisitedStaffordoccasionally，inthesetroubledyears。Hementionsfishingin’Shawfordbrook’；hewaslikelytofishwherevertherewaswater，andthebrookflowedthroughlandwhich，asMr。Marstonshows，heacquiredabout1656。In1650achildwasborntoWaltoninClerkenwell；itdied，butanother，Isaac，wasborninSeptember1651。In1651hepublishedtheReliquiaeWottonianae，withaMemoirofSirHenryWotton。TheknighthadvaluedWalton’scompanyasacurefor’thosespleneticvapoursthatarecalledhypochondriacal。’
WorcesterfightwasonSeptember3，1651；thekingwasdefeated，andfled，escaping，thankstoastandmadebyWogan，andtotheloyaltyofMistressJaneLane，andofmanyotherfaithfuladherents。AjewelofCharles’s，thelesserGeorge，waspreservedbyColonelBlague，whointrustedittoMr。
BarlowofBlorePipeHouse，inStaffordshire。Mr。BarlowgaveittoMr。Milward，aRoyalistprisonerinStafford，andhe，inturn，intrustedittoWalton，whomanagedtoconveyittoColonelBlagueintheTower。Thecolonelescaped，andtheGeorgewasgivenbacktotheking。Ashmole，whotellsthestory，mentionsWaltonas’wellbelovedofallgoodmen。’
Thisincidentis，perhaps，theonlyknownadventureinthelonglifeofoldIzaak。Thepeacefulangler，witharoyaljewelinhispocket，musthaveencounteredmanydangersonthehighway。HewasamanofsixtywhenhepublishedhisCompleatAnglerin1653，andsosecuredimmortality。Thequietbeautiesofhismannerinhisvariousbiographieswouldonlyhavemadehimknowntoafewstudents，whocouldneverhaverecognisedByron’s’quaint，old，cruelcoxcomb’intheirauthor。’Thewholediscourseisakindofpictureofmyowndisposition，atleastofmydispositioninsuchdaysandtimesasIallowmyselfwhenhonestNat。andR。R。andIgoa—
fishingtogether。’Izaakspeaksofthepossibilitythathisbookmayreachasecondedition。Therearenoweditionsmorethanahundred！WaltoniansshouldreadMr。ThomasWestwood’sPrefacetohisChronicleoftheCompleatAngler：itisreprintedinMr。Marston’sedition。Mr。WestwoodlearnedtoadmireWaltonatthefeetofCharlesLamb：—
’Nofisher，Butawell—wisherTothegame，’
asScottdescribeshimself。{3}
LambrecommendedWaltontoColeridge；’itbreathestheveryspiritofinnocence，purity，andsimplicityofheart；……itwouldsweetenaman’stemperatanytimetoreadit；itwouldChristianiseeveryangry，discordantpassion；praymakeyourselfacquaintedwithit。’（Oct。28，1796。）AccordingtoMr。Westwood，Lambhad’anearlycopy，’foundinarepositoryofmarinestores，butnot，eventhen，tobeboughtabargain。
Mr。WestwoodfearsthatLamb’scopywasonlyHawkins’seditionof1760。Theoriginalisextremelyscarce。Mr。Lockerhadafinecopy；thereisanotherinthelibraryofDorchesterHouse：bothareintheirprimitiveliveryofbrownsheep，orcalf。Thebookisonewhichonlythewealthycollectorcanhope，withluck，tocallhisown。Asmalloctavo，soldateighteen—pence，TheCompleatAnglerwascertaintobethumbedintonothingness，afterenduringmuchfromMayshowers，Julysuns，andfishycompanionship。ItisalmostawonderthatanyexamplesofWalton’sandBunyan’sfirsteditionshavesurvivedintoourday。Thelittlevolumewasmeanttofindaplaceinthebulgingpocketsofanglers，andwaswelladaptedtothatend。Theworkshouldbereprintedinasimilarformat：
quartoeditionsareoutofplace。
Thefortunesofthebook，thefatalibelli，havebeentracedbyMr。Westwood。Thereareseveralmisprints（latercorrected）intheearliestcopies，as（p。88）’Fordig’for’Fordidg，’（p。152）’Pudoch’for’Pudock。’TheappearanceoftheworkwasadvertisedinThePerfectDiurnal（May9—16），andinNo。154ofTheMercuriusPoliticus（May19—26），alsoinanalmanackfor1654。Izaak，orhispublisherMarriott，cunninglybroughtoutthebookataseasonwhenmenexpecttheMayfly。Justamonthbefore，OliverCromwellhadwalkedintotheHouseofCommons，inaplainsuitofblackclothes，withgreystockings。Hislanguage，whenhespoke，wasreckonedunparliamentary（asitundeniablywas），andhedissolvedtheLongParliament。WhileMarriottwasadvertisingWalton’swork，CromwellwasmakingaParliamentofSaints，’faithful，fearingGod，andhatingcovetousness。’ThisisagooddescriptionofIzaak，buthewasnotselected。InthemidstofrevolutionscameTheCompleatAnglertothelight，apossessionforever。ItsoriginalpurchasersarenotlikelytohavetakenahandinRoyalistplotsorsaintlyconventicles。Theywerepeacefulmen。AcertainCromwelliantrooper，RichardFranck，wasabetteranglerthanWalton，andhehaslefttoustheonlycontemporaryandcontemptuouscriticismofhisbook：tothisweshallreturn，butanglers，asarule，unlikeFranck，musthavebeenfortheking，andonIzaak’ssideincontroversy。
Waltonbroughtoutasecondeditionin1655。Herewrotethebook，addingmorethanathird，suppressingViator，andintroducingVenator。Newplateswereadded，and，afterthemannerofthetime，commendatoryverses。Athirdeditionappearedin1661，afourth（publishedbySimonGape，notbyMarriott）cameoutin1664，afifthin1668（countingGape’sof1664asanewedition），andin1676，thework，withtreatisesbyVenablesandCharlesCotton，wasgiventotheworldasTheUniversalAngler。FiveeditionsintwelveyearsisnotbadevidenceofWalton’spopularity。Buttimesnowaltered。WaltonisreallyanElizabethan：hehasthequaintfreshness，theapparentlyartlessmusicoflanguageofthegreatage。Heisafriendof’countrycontents’：noloverofthetown，nokeenstudentofurbanwaysandmundanemen。A
newtaste，modelledonthatofthewitsofLouisXIV。，hadcomein：weareintheperiodofDryden，andapproachingthatofPope。
TherewasnoneweditionofWaltontillMosesBrowne（byJohnson’sdesire）publishedhim，with’improvements，’in1750。
ThencameHawkins’seditionin1760。JohnsonsaidofHawkins，’Why，ma’am，Ibelievehimtobeanhonestmanatthebottom；
but，tobesure，heispenurious，andheismean，anditmustbeownedhehasadegreeofbrutality，andatendencytosavageness，thatcannoteasilybedefended。’
ThiswashardlytheeditorforIzaak！However，Hawkins，probablybyaidofOldystheantiquary（asMr。Marstonshows），laidagoodfoundationforabiographyofWalton。Errorshemade，butSirHarrisNicolashascorrectedthem。JohnsonhimselfreckonedWalton’sLivesas’oneofhismostfavouritebooks。’HepreferredthelifeofDonne，andjustlycomplainedthatWalton’sstoryofDonne’svisionofhisabsentwifehadbeenleftoutofamodernedition。HeexplainedWalton’sfriendshipwithpersonsofhigherrankbyhisbeing’agreatpanegyrist。’
Theeighteenthcentury，wesee，camebacktoWalton，asthenineteenthhasdone。HewaspreciselytheauthortosuitCharlesLamb。Hewasreprintedagainandagain，andillustratedbyStoddartandothers。AmonghisbesteditorsareMajor（1839），’Ephemera’（1853），Nicolas（1836，1860），andMr。Marston（1888）。
TheonlycontemporarycriticismknowntomeisthatofRichardFranck，whohadservedwithCromwellinScotland，and，notlikingtheaspectofchangingtimes，returnedtothenorth，andfishedfromtheEsktoStrathnaver。In1658hewrotehisNorthernMemoirs，anitineraryofsport，heavilycumberedbydullreflectionsandpedanticstyle。Franck，however，wasapracticalangler，especiallyforsalmon，afishofwhichWaltonknewnothing：healsoappreciatedthecharacterofthegreatMontrose。HewenttoAmerica，wroteawildcosmogonicwork，andTheAdmirableandIndefatigableAdventuresoftheNinePiousPilgrims（onepilgrimcatchesatrout！）（London，1708）。TheNorthernMemoirsof1658werenotpublishedtill1694。SirWalterScotteditedanewissue，in1821，anddefendedIzaakfromthestricturesofthesalmon—fisher。
Izaak，saysFranck，’laysthestressofhisargumentsuponothermen’sobservations，wherewithhestuffshisindigestedoctavo；sobringshimselfundertheangler’scensureandthecommoncalamityofaplagiary，tobepitied（poorman）forhislossoftime，inscribblingandtranscribingothermen’snotions……IrememberinStafford，Iurgedhisownargumentuponhim，thatpickerelweedofitselfbreedspickerel（pike）。’Franckproposedarationaltheory，’whichmyCompleatAnglernosoonerdeliberated，butdroppedhisargument，andleavesGesnertodefendit，sohuffedaway……’’Sonote，thetruecharacterofanindustriousanglermoredeservedlyfallsuponMerrillandFaulkner，orratherIzaakOuldham，amanthatfishedsalmonwithbutthreehairsathook，whosecollectionsandexperimentswerelostwithhimself，’——amattermuchtoberegretted。Itwillbeobserved，ofcourse，thathairwasthenused，andgutisfirstmentionedforanglingpurposesbyMr。Pepys。Indeed，theflieswhichScottwashuntingforwhenhefoundthelostMs。
ofthefirstpartofWaverleyaretiedonhorse—hairs。TheyareinthepossessionofthedescendantsofScott’sfriend，Mr。WilliamLaidlaw。Thecuriousangler，consultingFranck，willfindthathissalmonfliesaremuchlikeourown，butlessvariegated。Scottjustlyremarksthat，whileWaltonwashabitandreputeabait—fisher，evenCottonknowsnothingofsalmon。ScottwishedthatWaltonhadmadethenortherntour，butIzaakwouldhavebeensadlytoseek，runningafterafishdownagorgeoftheShinortheBrora，andthediscomfortsofthenorthwouldhavefinishedhiscareer。InScotlandhewouldnothavefoundfreshsheetssmellingoflavender。
WaltonwasinLondon’inthedangerousyear1655。’HespeaksofhismeetingBishopSandersonthere，’insad—colouredclothes，and，Godknows，farfrombeingcostly。’Thefriendsweredrivenbywindandraininto’acleanlyhouse，wherewehadbread，cheese，ale，andafire，forourreadymoney。Therainandwindweresoobligingtome，astoforceourstaythereforatleastanhour，tomygreatcontentandadvantage；
forinthattimehemadetomemanyusefulobservationsofthepresenttimeswithmuchclearnessandconscientiousfreedom。’
ItwasayearofRepublicanandRoyalistconspiracies：theclergywerepersecutedandbanishedfromLondon。
NomoreisknownofWaltontillthehappyyear1660，whenthekingcametohisownagain，andWalton’sEpiscopalfriendstotheirpalaces。Izaakproducedan’Eglog，’onMay29：—
’Theking！Theking’sreturned！AndnowLet’sbanishallsadthoughts，andsing：
Wehaveourlaws，andhaveourking。’
IfIzaakwassoeccentricastogotobedsoberonthatglorioustwenty—ninthofMay，Igreatlymisjudgehim。Buthegrewelderly。In1661hechroniclesthedeathsof’honestNat。andR。Roe，——theyaregone，andwiththemmostofmypleasanthours，evenasashadowthatpassethaway，andreturnsnot。’OnApril17，1662，Waltonlosthissecondwife：
shediedatWorcester，probablyonavisittoBishopMorley。
Inthesameyear，thebishopwastranslatedtoWinchester，wherethepalacebecameIzaak’shome。TheItchen（where，nodoubt，heangledwithworm）musthavebeenhisconstanthaunt。
HewasbusywithhisLifeofRichardHooker（1665）。Theperoration，asitwere，wasalteredandexpandedin1670，andthisisbutoneexampleofWalton’scareofhisperiods。Onebeautifulpassageheisknowntohaverewrittenseveraltimes，tillhisearwassatisfiedwithitscadences。In1670hepublishedhisLifeofGeorgeHerbert。’Iwish，ifGodshallbesopleased，thatImaybesohappyastodielikehim。’In1673，inaDedicationofthethirdeditionofReliquiaeWottonianae，Waltonalludestohisfriendshipwithamuchyoungerandgayermanthanhimself，CharlesCotton（born1630），thefriendofColonelRichardLovelace，andofSirJohnSuckling：thetranslatorofScarron’stravestyofVirgil，andofMontaigne’sEssays。Cottonwasaroisterer，amanatonetimedeepindebt，buthewasaRoyalist，ascholar，andanangler。ThefriendshipbetweenhimandWaltoniscreditabletothefreshnessoftheoldmanandtothekindnessoftheyounger，who，tobesure，laughedatIzaak’sheavilydubbedLondonflies。’Inhim，’saysCotton，’Ihavethehappinesstoknowtheworthiestman，andtoenjoythebestandthetruestfriendanymaneverhad。’WeareremindedofJohnsonwithLangtonandTophamBeauclerk。MeanwhileIzaaktheyoungerhadgrownup，waseducatedunderDr。FellatChristChurch，andmadetheGrandTourin1675，visitingRomeandVenice。InMarch1676heproceededM。A。andtookHolyOrders。InthisyearCottonwrotehistreatiseonfly—fishing，tobepublishedwithWalton’snewedition；andthefamousfishinghouseontheDove，withtheblendedinitialsofthetwofriends，wasbuilt。
In1678，WaltonwrotehisLifeofSanderson……’’Tisnowtoolatetowishthatmylifemaybelikehis，forIamintheeighty—fifthyearofmyage，butIhumblybeseechAlmightyGodthatmydeathmaybe；anddoasearnestlybegofeveryreadertosayAmen！’Hewrote，in1678，aprefacetoThealmaandClearchus（1683）。ThepoemisattributedtoJohnChalkhill，aFellowofWinchesterCollege，whodied，amanofeighty，in1679。TwoofhissongsareinTheCompleatAngler。Probablytheattributionisright：Chalkhill’stombcommemoratesamanafterWalton’sownheart，butsomehaveassignedthevolumetoWaltonhimself。Chalkhillisdescribed，onthetitle—page，as’anacquaintantandfriendofEdmundSpencer，’whichisimpossible。{4}
OnAugust9，1683，Waltonwrotehiswill，’intheneintyethyearofmyage，andinperfectmemory，forwhichpraisedbeGod。’HeprofessestheAnglicanfaith，despite’averylongandverytrewfriendshipforsomeoftheRomanChurch。’Hisworldlyestatehehasacquired’neitherbyfalsehoodorflatteryortheextremecreweltyofthelawofthisnation。’
HispropertywasintwohousesinLondon，theleaseofNoringtonfarm，afarmnearStafford，besidesbooks，linen，andahangingcabinetinscribedwithhisname，now，itseems，inthepossessionofMr。ElkinMathews。AbequestismadeofmoneyforcoalstothepoorofStafford，’everylastweikeinJanewary，orineveryfirstweikeinFebrewary；Isaythen，becauseItakethattimetobethehardestandmostpinchingtimeswithporepeople。’TotheBishopofWinchesterhebequeathedaringwiththeposy，’AMiteforaMillion。’
Thereareotherbequests，includingtenpoundsto’myoldfriend，Mr。RichardMarriott，’Walton’sbookseller。Thisgoodmandiedinpeacewithhispublisher，leavinghimalsoaring。
AringwaslefttoaladyofthePortsmouthfamily，’Mrs。
Doro。Wallop。’
Waltondied，atthehouseofhisson—in—law，Dr。Hawkins，inWinchester，onDec。15，1683：heisburiedinthesouthaisleoftheCathedral。TheCathedrallibrarypossessesmanyofWalton’sbooks，withhisnamewritteninthem。{5}HisEusebius（1636）contains，ontheflyleaf，repetitions，invariousforms，ofoneofhisstudiedpassages。Simpleasheseems，heisacarefulartistinlanguage。
Sucharethescantyrecords，andscantierrelics，ofaverylonglife。CircumstancesandinclinationcombinedtomakeWalpolechoosethefallentissemitavitae。Withoutambition，savetobeinthesocietyofgoodmen，hepassedthroughturmoil，evercompanionedbycontent。Forhimexistencehaditstrials：hesawallthatheheldmostsacredoverthrown；
lawsbrokenup；hiskingpubliclymurdered；hisfriendsoutcasts；hisworshipproscribed；hehimselfsufferedinpropertyfromtheraidoftheKirkintoEngland。Heunderwentmanybereavements：childafterchildhelost，butcontenthedidnotlose，norsweetnessofheart，norbelief。Hiswasoneofthosehappycharacterswhichareneverfounddisassociatedfromunquestioningfaith。OfoldhemighthavebeentheancientreligiousAthenianintheopeningofPlato’sRepublic，orVirgil’sagedgardener。Thehappinessofsuchnatureswouldbeincompletewithoutreligion，butonlybysuchtranquilandblessedsoulscanreligionbeacceptedwithnodoubtorscruple，nodread，andnomisgiving。InhisPrefacetoThealmaandClearchusWaltonwrites，andwemayusehisownwordsabouthisownworks：’TheReaderwillherefindsuchvariouseventsandrewardsofinnocentTruthandundissembledHonesty，asisliketoleaveinhim（ifhebeagood—naturedreader）moresympathisingandvirtuousimpressions，thantentimessomuchtimespentinimpertinent，critical，andneedlessdisputesaboutreligion。’Waltonreliedonauthority；on’aplain，unperplexedcatechism。’Inanageofthestrangestandmostdissidenttheologicalspeculations，anageofQuakers，Anabaptists，Antinomians，FifthMonarchyMen，Covenanters，Independents，Gibbites，Presbyterians，andwhatnot，WaltonwastruetotheauthorityoftheChurchofEngland，withnoprejudiceagainsttheancientCatholicfaith。
AsGesnerwashisauthorityforpickerelweedbegettingpike，sotheAnglicanbishopsweresecurityforWalton’screed。
Tohim，ifwemaysayso，itwaseasytobesaved，whileBunyan，agreaterhumorist，couldbesavedonlyinfollowingapaththatskirtedmadness，and’asbyfire。’ToBunyan，WaltonwouldhaveseemedafigurelikehisownIgnorance；apilgrimwhoneverstuckintheSloughofDespond，normetApollyonintheValleyoftheShadow，norwascaptiveinDoubtingCastle，norstonedinVanityFair。AndofBunyan，WaltonwouldhavesaidthathewasamongthoseNonconformistswho’mightbesincere，well—meaningmen，whoseindiscreetzealmightbesolikecharity，astherebytocoveramultitudeoferrors。’ToWaltonthereseemedspiritualsolaceinremembering’thatwehavecomfortedandbeenhelpfultoadejectedordistressedfamily。’Bunyanwouldhaveregardedthisbeliefasaheresy，and（theoretically）charitabledeeds’asfilthyrags。’Differentlyconstituted，theseexcellentmenacceptedreligionindifferentways。Christianbowsbeneathaburdenofsin；Piscatorbeneathabasketoftrout。
Letusbegratefulforthediversitiesofhumannature，andthedissimilarpathswhichleadPiscatorandChristianaliketotheCitynotbuiltwithhands。BothwereseekersforaCitywhichtohavesoughtthroughlife，inpatience，honesty，loyalty，andlove，istohavefoundit。OfWalton’sbookwemaysay：—
’Laudisamoretumes？SuntcertapiaculaquaeteTerpurelectopoteruntrecrearelibello。’
WALTONASABIOGRAPHER
ItwasprobablybyhisLives，ratherthan，inthefirstinstance，byhisAngler，thatWaltonwonthelikingofDr。
Johnson，whencecamehisliteraryresurrection。ItistruethatMosesBrowneandHawkins，bothfriendsofJohnson’s，editedTheCompleatAnglerbefore1775—1776，whenwefindDr。
HomeofMagdalene，Oxford，contemplatinga’benoted’editionoftheLives，byJohnson’sadvice。ButtheWaltonoftheLivesis，ratherthantheWaltonoftheAngler，themanafterJohnson’sownheart。TheAngleris’apictureofmyowndisposition’onholidays。TheLivesdisplaythesamedispositioninseriousmoods，andinfaceoftheeternalproblemsofman’slifeinsociety。Johnson，weknow，wasveryfondofbiography，hadthoughtmuchonthesubject，and，asBoswellnotes，’variedfromhimselfintalk，’whenhediscussedthemeasureoftruthpermittedtobiographers。’IfamanistowriteaPanegyrick，hemaykeepvicesoutofsight；butifheprofessestowriteaLife，hemustrepresentitasitreallywas。’Peculiaritieswerenottobeconcealed，hesaid，andhisownwerenotveiledbyBoswell。’Nobodycanwritethelifeofamanbutthosewhohaveeatanddrunkandlivedinsocialintercoursewithhim。’’Theyonlywholivewithamancanwritehislifewithanygenuineexactnessanddiscrimination；andfewpeoplewhohavelivedwithamanknowwhattoremarkabouthim。’Waltonhadlivedmuchinthesocietyofhissubjects，DonneandWotton；withSandersonhehadaslighteracquaintance；GeorgeHerberthehadonlymet；
Hooker，ofcourse，hehadneverseenintheflesh。ItisobvioustoeveryreaderthathisbiographiesofDonneandWottonarehisbest。InDonne’sLifehefeelsthatheiswritingofanEnglishSt。Austin，——’forIthinknonewassolikehimbeforehisconversion；nonesolikeSt。Ambroseafterit：andifhisyouthhadtheinfirmitiesoftheone，hisagehadtheexcellenciesoftheother；thelearningandholinessofboth。’
St。Augustinemadefreeconfessionofhisowninfirmitiesofyouth。WithgreatdelicacyWaltonletsDonnealsoconfesshimself，printingaletterinwhichhedeclinestotakeHolyOrders，becausehiscourseoflifewhenveryyounghadbeentoonotorious。DelicacyandtactareasnotableinWalton’saccountofDonne’spoverty，melancholy，andconversionthroughtheblessedmeansofgentleKingJamie。Waltonhadanawfulloyalty，asincerereverencefortheofficeofaking。ButwhereverheintroducesKingJames，eitherinhisDonneorhisWotton，youseeasubduedversionoftheKingJamesofTheFortunesofNigel。Thepedantry，thegoodnature，thetouchiness，thehumour，thenervousness，areallhere。Itonlyneedsatouchoftheking’sbroadaccenttosetbeforeus，asvividlyasinScott，theinterviewswithDonne，andthatsingularscenewhenWotton，disguisedasOctavioBaldi，depositshislongrapieratthedoorofhismajesty’schamber。
Wotton，inFlorence，waswarnedofaplottomurderJamesVI。
Thedukegavehim’suchItalianantidotesagainstpoisonastheScotstillthenhadbeenstrangersto’：indeed，thereisnoantidoteforadirk，andtheScotswerenotpoisoners。
IntroducedbyLindsayas’OctavioBaldi，’WottonfoundhisnervousmajestyaccompaniedbyfourScottishnobles。HespokeinItalian；then，drawingnear，hastilywhisperedthathewasanEnglishman，andprayedforaprivateinterview。This，bysomeart，heobtained，deliveredhisantidotes，and，whenJamessucceededElizabeth，rosetohighfavour。Izaak’ssuppressedhumourmakesitplainthatWottonhadactedthesceneforhim，fromthemomentofleavingthelongrapieratthedoor。Again，tellinghowWotton，inhispeacefulhoursasProvostofEton，intendedtowriteaLifeofLuther，hesaysthatKingCharlesdivertedhimfromhispurposetoattemptingaHistoryofEngland’byapersuasivelovingviolence（towhichmaybeaddedapromiseof500poundsayear）。’Helikestheseparenthetictouches，asinhisdescriptionofDonne，’alwayspreachingtohimself，likeanangelfromacloud，——BUT
INNONE。’Again，ofacommendationofoneofhisheroeshesays，’itisaknowntruth，——thoughitbeinverse。’
AmemoryofthedayswhenIzaakwasanamorist，andshoneinloveditties，appearsthus。HeisspeakingofDonne：—
’Loveisaflatteringmischief……apassionthatcarriesustocommiterrorswithasmucheaseaswhirlwindsremovefeathers。’
’Thetearsoflovers，orbeautydressedinsadness，areobservedtohaveinthemacharmingsadness，andtobecomeveryoftentoostrongtoberesisted。’
TheseareexamplesofWalton’ssympathy：hispowerofportrait—drawingisespeciallyattestedbyhisstudyofDonne，astheyounggallantandpoet，theunhappylover，themanofstateoutofplaceandneglected；theheavilyburdenedfather，theconscientiousscholar，thecharmingyetasceticpreacheranddivine，thesaintwho，dying，makeshimselfinhisownshroud，anemblemofmortality。
AsanexampleofWalton’sstyle，takethefamousvisionofDr。
DonneinParis。Hehadlefthiswifeexpectingherconfinement：—
’Twodaysaftertheirarrivalthere，Mr。DonnewasleftaloneinthatroominwhichSirRobertandhe，andsomeotherfriends，haddinedtogether。TothisplaceSirRobertreturnedwithinhalfanhour，andasheleft，sohefoundMr。
Donnealone，butinsuchanecstacy，andsoalteredastohislooks，asamazedSirRoberttobeholdhim；insomuchthatheearnestlydesiredMr。Donnetodeclarewhathadbefallenhimintheshorttimeofhisabsence。TowhichMr。Donnewasnotabletomakeapresentanswer：but，afteralongandperplexedpause，didatlastsay，\"IhaveseenadreadfulvisionsinceIsawyou：Ihaveseenmydearwifepasstwicebymethroughthisroom，withherhairhangingabouthershoulders，andadeadchildinherarms；thisIhaveseensinceIsawyou。\"TowhichSirRobertreplied，\"Sure，sir，youhavesleptsinceIsawyou；andthisistheresultofsomemelancholydream，whichIdesireyoutoforget，foryouarenowawake。\"TowhichMr。Donne’sreplywas，\"IcannotbesurerthatInowlivethanthatIhavenotsleptsinceIsawyou：andIamassurethatathersecondappearingshestopped，andlookedmeintheface，andvanished……\"Anduponexamination，theabortionprovedtobethesameday，andabouttheveryhour，thatMr。Donneaffirmedhesawherpassbyhiminhischamber。