THOMAS KEN AND IZAAK WALTON 153 



is the cifer, too, you spoke of, and 'tis prettily 

 conceived. Has my master Walton ever been 

 here to see it, for it seems new built ? 



"PiSC. Yes, he saw it cut in the stone 

 before it was set up ; but never in the posture 

 it now stands ; for the house was but in build- 

 ing when he was last here, and not raised so 

 high as the arch of the dore, and I am afraid 

 he will not see it yet, for he has lately writ me 

 word he doubts his coming down this summer, 

 which, I assure you, was the worst news he 

 could possibly send me." 



The date on the building is 1674 (it was 

 apparently not completed till 1676). In that 

 singular letter of Walton's to Cotton, thanking 

 him for his " very pleasant, useful discourse," it 

 will be seen that he refers to the Fishing-house. 

 The letter is so interesting and apropos that I make 

 no apology for giving it in full. It was written in 

 1676, when Walton was in his eighty-third year. 



" To my most honoured friend, Charles 

 Cotton, Esq. 



" Sir, — You now see I have rcturn'd you 

 your very pleasant and useful discourse of 

 the art of Flie fishing. Printed just as it 



