Izaak Jt r alton 



Taking these Lives together, they form 

 a worthy monument of Walton's untiring 

 industry and patient diligence, even in a 

 department of mental activity to which 

 he was but accidentally introduced. The 

 picture of the hale old man, with the more 

 active period of his life left far behind him, 

 yet still finding a zest for existence in the 

 undertaking of these literary engagements, 

 is most interesting. In addition to these 

 writings, brief mention must be made of 

 Walton's ventures in versification (for they 

 were little more, and were chiefly dedica- 

 tory "lines" or epistles). His stanzas on 

 the death of Dr. Donne are perhaps the 

 best example of his skill in this depart- 

 ment, though they were written when in 

 the full vigor of his days, as were also his 

 " Verses to the author of the Synagogue, 

 printed along with Herbert's Temple, Verses 

 in prefacing the poems of (i) Alexander 

 Browne (1646); of (2) Shirley (1646); 

 and (3) of Cartwright (1651). His last 

 effort was a prefatory poem in praise of the 

 author of Thealma and Clearclues, a pas- 

 toral history in smooth and easy verse by 

 John Chalkhill, Esq." Even as the pro- 

 duction of a person of almost nonagenarian 

 age, it is a very creditable performance : 

 coming from the pen of good old Izaak, 

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