IZAAK WALTON AND HIS FRIENDS 7 



determination of differences touching houses burnt 

 in London," presented in 1670, Walton is de- 

 scribed as "Isaac Walton, Gentleman." 



Bethune says of Walton : " Gentleman he was 

 by orthography and spirit, but gentleman in any 

 other sense he cared not to be." 



Of himself Walton writes: "I would rather 

 prove myself a gentleman by being learned and 

 humble, valiant and inoffensive, virtuous and com- 

 municable, than by any fond ostentation of riches, 

 or, wanting those virtues myself, boast that they 

 were my ancestors'." 



