^ET. 89.] LIFE OF IZAAK WALTON. cxv 



it is not improbable that he derived his taste for drawing from his 

 father. 



Superior as Walton's intellectual powers undoubtedly were, they 

 sink into nothing when compared with the qualities of his heart ; 

 and it is the man, rather than the author, whom his admirers 

 most love to contemplate. No one can read his writings without 

 being impressed with the fervent and unaffected piety, the 

 simplicity of taste, the benevolence of mind, and contentedness 

 of spirit, which are apparent in every thought and expression. In 

 the works of the creation he fin^s-a-boundless theme for praise 

 and admiration. Though his wU is rarely brilliant, it never springs 

 from envy or ill-nature ; and when truth prevented him from 

 praising the persons of whom he speaks, he is silent, mildly 

 observing that "it becomes not him to censure." Walton 

 repeatedly speaks of his love of " harmless innocent mirth un- 

 mixed with scurrility ; " and his scrupulous veracity, and the care 

 with which he selected his society, are noticed by Cotton, who 

 says, " He never retracted any promise when made in favour even 

 of his meanest friends ; " and that his " father Walton will be 

 seen twice in no man's company he does not like, and likes none 

 but such as he believes to be very honest men." 



Though brought up to trade he everywhere expresses his con- 

 tempt for riches ; and one of his highest eulogiums on Sir Henry 

 Wotton was, that he was an " undervaluer of money." His views' 

 on the subject, as expressed in the concluding passage of the 

 " Complete Angler," were extremely rational : " In my discourse 

 my meaning is to plant that in your mind with which I labour to 

 possess my own soul ; that is, a meek and thankful heart. And 

 to that end I have showed you, that riches without them (meekness 

 and thankfulness) do not make any man happy. But let me tell 

 you, that riches with them remove many fears and cares ; and 

 therefore my advice is, that you endeavour to be honestly rich, or 

 contentedly poor ; but be sure that your riches be justly got, or 

 you spoil all. For it is well said by Caussin, ' He that loses his 

 conscience has nothing left that is worth keeping.' Therefore be 

 sure you look to that. And in the next place look to your 

 health : and if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a 

 good conscience ; for health is the second blessing that we mortals 

 are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy (which maybe 

 said to be the third blessing), neglect it not : but note, that there 

 is no necessity of being rich ; for I told you, there be as many 

 miseries beyond riches as on this side : and if you have a com- 



