THOMAS KEN AND IZAAK WALTON 183 



prejudice to their worthy authors) I could never 

 find in them that height of Judgement and 

 Reason which you have manifested in this (as 

 I may call it) Epitome of Angling, since my 

 reading whereof I cannot look upon some 

 Notes of my own gathering, but methinks I 

 do puerilia tractare. But lest I should be 

 thought to go about to magnifie my own 

 judgement, in giving yours so small a portion 

 of its due, I humbly take leave with no more 

 ambition than to kiss your hand, and to be 

 accounted 



" Your humble and thankful Servant, 



"I. W." 



Colonel Venables very wisely printed this letter 

 at the commencement of his work, the first edition 

 of which was published in 1662. 



REYNARD'S CAVE, DOVE DALE 



