32 Ikfnos of tbe 1Rofc, IRifle, an& Gun 



disappointed, the gallant old soldier retired into the 

 country, and there solaced himself with pen and rod, 

 for it seems to have been as much pleasure to him 

 to write upon the sport he loved as to practise it. 



In 1662 he published the first edition of his " Ex- 

 perienced Angler," which has been^frequently reprinted 

 since. This edition is prefaced by the following 

 commendatory letter from Izaak Walton : 



" To his Ingenious friend the Author of his 

 Angling improved. 



HONOURED SIR. 



Though I never to my knowledge had the 

 happiness to see your face, yet accidentally coming 

 to a view of this discourse before it went to the press, 

 I held myself obliged, in point of gratitude for the 

 great advantage I received thereby, to tender you 

 my particular acknowledgment, especially having been 

 for thirty years past, not only a Lover, but a 

 practiser of that innocent recreation, wherein by your 

 judicious precepts, I found myself fitted for a higher 

 form, which expression I take the boldness to use, 

 because I have read and practised by many books 

 of this kind formerly made publick, from which, 

 although I received much advantage in the practice, 

 yet, without prejudice to their worthy authors, I could 

 never find in them that height of judgment and 

 Reason, which you have manifested in this, as I may 

 call it, Epitome of Angling. Since reading whereof, 

 I cannot look upon some notes of my own gathering, 

 but methinks I do puerilia tractare. But lest I 



