128 THOMAS KEN AND IZAAK WALTON 



the residence of Mr. George Barlow, delivered 

 the jewel into that gentleman's custody. In 

 the ensuing week, Mr Barlow carried it to 

 Robert Milward, Esquire, who was at that 

 time a prisoner in the Garrison of Stafford, 

 and Milward shortly afterwards gave it into 

 the " trusty hands " of Izaak Walton to convey 

 to Colonel Blague, who was confined by the 

 Parliament in the Tower of London. It is 

 said that Blague, 'considering it had already 

 passed so many dangers, was persuaded it 

 could yet secure one hazardous attempt of his 

 own ' ; and having made his escape from the 

 Tower, he had the gratification of restoring 

 the George to the King." 



Ashmole relates this anecdote from the state- 

 ments of Blague, Milward, and Walton, and speaks 

 of the latter as "a man well known, and as well 

 beloved of all good men, and will be better known 

 to posterity by his ingenious pen in the ' Lives ' 

 of Dr. Donne, Sir Henry Wotton, Mr. Richard 

 Hooker, and Mr. George Herbert." 



It cannot be doubted, then, that Walton was at 

 his place in the neighbourhood of Stafford in 1648 

 and in 165 1. 



