IZAAK WALTON AND HIS FRIENDS 135 



at the Sabine farm, that Samuel Johnson wore 

 snuff brown, that Voltaire had gay embroidered 

 bed-gowns, that Oliver Goldsmith was vain of a 

 cherry-coloured coat, and that Barry Cornwall had 

 a patent lamp and a flunky in green livery (see 

 Blachivood's Magazine, Vol. XII., p. 166), so every 

 scrap of information as to Walton is eagerly sought 

 for by his many devotees.^ 



Walton was no teetotaler. We read of his 

 resorting to "an honest ale-house, where we may 

 have a good cup of good barley- wine." By this 

 wine was probably meant common beer.^ 



He seems fond of the word " honest ale-house," 

 for he uses it more than once. Again we read : 

 " Come, hostess, dress it (a trout) presently, and 

 get us what other meat the house will afford, and 

 give us some of your best barley-wine and good 

 liquor that our honest forefathers did use to drink 

 of; the drink which preserved their health, and 

 made them live so long, and do so many good 

 deeds." When asked, " Will you drink a draught of 

 red cow's milk ? " ^ his answer was, " No, I thank 

 you." 



' One of Walton's watches, or what is believed to be such, is in the 

 possession of a sister of the Eev. A. S. Wyndham Merewether, of 

 North Bradley Vicarage, Trowbridge, Wilts. 



- Beer then (1685) was to the middle and lower classes not only all 

 that beer now is, but all that wine, tea and ardent spirits now are, 

 (Macaulay's History of England, Vol. I., Chap. III.). 



3 This was supposed to be good for consumption . 



