33aafe HOalton anfc Cbarles Cotton 55 



Of the sincerity of the friendship between Walton and 

 Cotton there can be no doubt, although, as I have 

 shown, there was much in the character and habits of 

 the younger man of which the elder could not have 

 approved. But, doubtless, Charles showed only the 

 best side of himself to his " father," and I think he 

 loved the old man so dearly that he would have been 

 loth to do or say anything to hurt or offend him. We 

 know that Cotton, in deference to the tastes of his 

 " father," even pretended to like smoking, though when 

 the fear of offending the beloved Master was not before 

 his eyes he denounced tobacco as " that pernicious and 

 stinking weed." And I daresay he was always on his 

 good behaviour in the presence of the venerable and 

 pious Izaak. Each had lovable qualities which won 

 the heart of the other, and the thought of their friendship 

 calls up a picture altogether pleasant to contemplate. 



