In the foregoing will, as in everything which he wrote, will be found something characteristic of the man; the subjoined genuine little scrap, exhibiting a fac simile of his handwriting, will be new even to the Waltonian reader.

for do36.2km moun

is

Dropt te it powe profant, by Leo ab meame E and that brings it from baffas Posonant., Izaak Walton

For Do'. C. Bewmount.

pray S', Accept this pore presant, by the as meane hand that brings it from

Y'. affec. servant,

Izaak Walton."

Were we required to give a designation to Walton's style of writing, we should say that naiveté is his perpetual characteristic; and that, whether he be humorous, instructive, or affecting, we have to acknowledge a degree of elegance which it were hopeless to attain and impossible not to admire.

Some little inscription similar to the foregoing generally accompanied those copies of his works which he gave to his friends; when they have occurred at sales, they have produced several guineas above the value of the work itself. He also wrote his name in all his own reading books, and Sir H. Nicolas has enumerated about twenty thus enriched. now preserved in the Cathedral Library, Salisbury.

C

The commendatory verses prefixed to the earlier editions of the Complete Angler, by eminent persons, friends of the author, were omitted for the first time by the Rev. M. Browne, as not even then (1759) agreeing with "the poetical taste of the times." The following lines, however, signed Rob. Floud, seem, equally for their brevity and terseness, to deserve their share of lasting popularity.

'To my dear Brother, MR. IZAAK WALTON, on his
COMPLETE ANGLER.

"This book is so like you, and you like it,
For harmless mirth, expression, art, and wit,
That I protest, ingenuously, 't is true,

I love this mirth, art, wit, the book, and you."

Thus have we furnished a brief history of the effects produced by this matchless work upon the intelligent part of mankind, from its first appearance to the present time; and when it is recollected that Walton himself was the first to set the example of graphic embellishment, boasting from the first of the "excellent picture of the Trout"; also that "Young Master Izaak was so pleased with a certain portion of "Peak Scenery" "as to draw it" (as Cotton tells us, Part II. Chap. VI.) "in landscape in black and white, in a blank book I have at home, as he has done several prospects of my house also, which I keep for a memorial of his favor, and will show you when we come up to dinner," thus early indicating the propriety of topographical illustration : recollecting all this, (and oh! what would we not give

even for a sight of "Young Master Izaak's" genuine "Sketch Book"?) surely no apology need be offered for attempting, (as expressed in our original prospectus,) "by the novelty and extent of the embellishments introduced in this edition, to heighten to the utmost the pleasure of perusal; to the Sportsman, the Naturalist, the lover of the Fine Arts, and the general Reader, to Artists and lovers of Art, Poets and lovers of Poetry."

In conclusion, we are proud to acknowledge the assistance and approbation * received throughout the progress of the work from numerous persons of high taste, who "delight to honor" the memory of its venerable author by every demonstration of regard; saying constantly, that "it is impossible to do too much for honest Izaak Walton."

With honest exultation we refer to the List of Embellishments, which exhibits an extraordinary combination of taste and talent: such patronage and such assistance we would fain hope may constitute at once a shelter and a boast. It would be unjust not to observe that the Printer, as well as every other party concerned, has executed his task perfectly con

amore.

The work is, in truth, indebted throughout equally to professional zeal and amateur co-operation; and

Two remarkable instances of the latter from private letters, being very short, I indulge (with many apologies) in quoting.

"Such publications are apples of gold in pictures of silver."-- From WM. HAMPER, Esq.

"I feel quite an interest in whatever you are doing, you do everything so well."- From the Ven. ARCHDEACON WranghaM.

it is the chief pride of my life to have pointed so successfully to that halo which must ever surround "meek Walton's heavenly memory.'

May the ROD of the Critic be exchanged for that of the Fisher; and endless be the willing captives of Walton's imperishable LINE!

ΤΟ

THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL

JOHN OFFLEY, ESQ.

OF

MADELY MANOR, IN THE COUNTY OF STAFFORD,

I

SIR,

My most Honored Friend.

HAVE made so ill use of your former favors,

as by them to be encouraged to intreat that they may be enlarged to the Patronage and Protection of this Book: and I have put on a modest confidence, that I shall not be denied, because it is a Discourse of Fish and Fishing, which you know so well, and both love and practise so much.

You are assured, though there be ignorant men of another belief, that Angling is an Art; and you know that Art better than others: and that this truth is demonstrated by the fruits of that pleasant labor which you enjoy when you purpose to give rest to your mind, and divest yourself of your more serious business, and, which is often. dedicate a day or two to this recreation.

At which time, if common Anglers should attend you, and be eyewitnesses of the success,