126 The Dedication. 



during Walton's lifetime, I must refer the 

 reader to Mr. Westwood's Chronicle.* 



Of all the scores of title-pages of 

 editions of Walton's Angler none excels 

 the first, reproduced on the opposite page. 



THE DEDICATION. 



In his dedication to the Right Worship- 

 ful John Offley, of Madely Manor, in the 

 County of Stafford, Esq., Walton says : 



" MY MOST HONOURED FRIEND, 



" SIR, I have made so ill use of 

 your former faviors as by them to be 

 encouraged to intreat that they may be 

 enlarged to the patronage and protection 

 of this Book ; and I have put on a modest 

 confidence that I shall not be denyed, 

 because 'tis a discourse of Fish and Fish- 

 ing, which you both know so well, and 

 love and practice so much. 



"You are assur'd (though there be 

 ignorant men of another belief) that 

 Angling is an Art ; and you know that 

 Art better then any that I know : and that 

 this is truth, is demostrated by the fruits 

 of that pleasant labor which you enjoy 

 when you purpose to give rest to your 

 mind, and devest your self of your more 



* A small " remainder " of this work was 

 purchased by Sampson Low, Marston, & Co., Ld. 



