33aafe Walton an& Cbarles Cotton 49 



your ' Compleat Angler ' : so that having little more 

 than ten days' time to turn me in and rub up my 

 memory (for in truth I have not in all this long time 

 though I have often thought on't and about as often 

 resolved to go presently about it), I was forced upon 

 the instant to scribble what I here present you : which 

 I have also endeavoured to accommodate to your own 

 method. And if mine be clear enough for the honest 

 master of the angle readily to understand, which is the 

 only thing I aim at, then I have my end and shall 

 need to make no further apology : a writing of this 

 kind not requiring, if I were master of any such thing, 

 any eloquence to set it off and recommend it : so 

 that if you in your better judgment, or kindness rather, 

 can allow it passable for a thing of this nature, you 

 will then do me the honour if the cypher fixed and 

 carved in the front of my little fishing-house, may be 

 here explained : and to permit me to attend you in 

 public, who in private have ever been, am, and ever 

 resolve to be, 



Sir, 

 Your most affectionate son and servant, 



CHARLES COTTON. 



BERESFORD, 

 \Qth of March 1675-6." 



Walton in reply says : 



" You now see I have returned you your very 

 pleasant and useful discourse of ' The Art of Fly- 

 fishing ' printed just as it was sent me : for I have 



4 



