INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. xxvii 



" We care not who says, 



And intends it dispraise, 

 That an angler to a fool is next neighbour; 



Let him prate ; what care we ; 



"We're as honest as he, 

 And so let him take that for his labour !" * 



But to return to Walton, who must have often 

 lamented the misfortunes of his adopted son. 



The precise situation in life in which Walton was 

 placed, has unfortunately never reached posterity ; 

 and with due deference to his earliest biographers, 

 we cannot help thinking it has been fixed in too 

 humble a sphere. 



Sir John Hawkins speaks of a deed dated 1G24, 

 by which it appears that his house in Fleet-street 

 was in the joint occupation of Izaak Walton and John 

 Mason, Hosier; "whence," says Sir John, "we 

 may conclude, that half a shop was sufficient for the 

 business of Walton : " — now to this deduction we 

 by no means agree, but in unison with the tradition 

 in his family, that he was " A wholesale Linen-draper 

 or Hamburgh Merchant, " would much rather infer 

 that Izaak Walton, (it is to be observed that his name 



* As for that morbid sensibility which rails at angling on the 

 score of cruelty, let us rely on the defence of the invincibly 

 reasoning Armstrong — it was neither made on behalf of 

 Walton or Cotton, but in justice to God and for all mankind ! 



" There are who think these pastimes scarce humane, 

 Yet in my mind (and not relentless I) 

 His life is pure that wears no fouler stains." 



