/ET. 65.] LIFE OF IZAAK WALTON. Ixv 



capable cf such an expression, were not drawn by the pencil of a Titian or 

 a Tintoret, by a pen equal and more lasting than their art ; for his life 

 ought to be the example of more than that age in which he died. And yet 

 this copy, though very much, indeed too much, short of the original, will 

 present you with some features not unlike your dead friend, and with fewer 

 blemishes and more ornaments than when 'twas first made public ; which 

 creates a contentment to myself, because it is the more worthy of him, and 

 because I may with more civility entitle you to it And in this design of 

 doing so I have not a thought of what is pretended in most dedications, a 

 commutation for courtesies : no indeed, Sir, I put no such value upon this 

 trifle ; for your owning it will rather increase my obligations. But my 

 desire is, that into whose hands soever this shall fall, it may to them be a 

 testimony of my gratitude to yourself and family, who descended to such a 

 degree of humility as to admit me into their friendship in the days of my 

 youth ; and notwithstanding my many infirmities, have continued me in it 

 till I am become grey-headed ; and as time has added to my years, have 

 still increased and multiplied their favours. This, Sir, is the intent of 

 this Dedication ; and having made the declaration of it thus public, I shall 

 conclude it with commending them and you to God's dear love. 



" I remain, Sir, what your many merits have made me to be, the humblest 

 of your servants, ISAAC WALTON." 



From this time the memorials of Walton are again imperfect \ 

 until after the Restoration, an event which afforded the highest / 

 gratification to his political and religious feelings, and tended / 

 materially to his personal happiness. Charles the Second's return / 

 was attended by the promotion of many of the eminent divines j 

 who had suffered in the royal cause, among whom were some of 

 Walton's oldest and most intimate friends. Dr Morley was made 

 Dean of Christ Church, and soon afterwards Bishop of Worcester, 

 Dr Henchman was elected Bishop of Salisbury, Dr Sanderson 

 Bishop of Lincoln, and Dr King was restored to his see of 

 Chichester. In their episcopal palaces, as in distress and persecu- 

 tion, the friendship of these eminent men for Walton was steady 

 and sincere ; and much of the remainder of his life was passed in 

 their society. Long years of intimacy, congeniality of sentiments 

 on secular and ecclesiastical matters, a similarity of taste in 

 literature, and, more than all, a spirit of devout but rational piety, 

 united them in the strongest bonds of attachment. The esteem 

 of such men is conclusive evidence of Walton's virtues ; and he 

 often alluded to their kindness and good opinion in the warmest 

 terms of gratitude. 



Walton's joyful feelings at the Restoration are not merely pre- 

 sumed from his known devotion to the cause of monarchy and 

 religion. They were expressed in the following " humble Eclogue " 

 written on the 2Qth of May 1660, addressed to his "ingenious 



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