THE NATURE-WRITER 135 



weed ; that toads are born of fallen leaves on the 

 bottoms of ponds. He finds himself agreeing with 

 Pliny " that many flies have their birth, or being, 

 from a dew that in the spring falls upon the leaves 

 of the trees " ; and, quoting the divine du Bartas, 

 he sings : 



So slow Bootes underneath him sees 

 In th' icy isles those goslings hatch'd of trees, 

 Whose fruitful leaves, falling into the water, 

 Are turn'd, they say, to living fowls soon after. 



But the "Compleat Angler" is not a scientific 

 work on fishes, nor a handbook on angling for 

 anglers. It is a book for all that are lovers of 

 literature ; for " all that are lovers of virtue ; and 

 dare trust in his providence ; and be quiet ; and 

 go a Angling." 



This is somewhat unscientific, according to 

 our present light; but, wonderful as it seemed 

 to Walton, it was all perfectly natural according 

 to his light. His facts are faulty, yet they are the 

 best he had. So was his love the best he had ; 

 but that was without fault, warm, deep, intense, 

 sincere. 



Our knowledge of nature has so advanced since 

 Walton's time, and our attitude has so changed, 



