LIFE OF WALTON. 55 



less to enjoy his favourite diversion of angling in the 

 delightful streams of the Dove, and on the ninetieth 

 anniversary of his birth-day he, by his will, declares 

 himself to be of perfect memory *. 



As to his worldly circumstances notwithstanding 

 the adverse accident of his being obliged, by the trou- 

 bles of the times, to quit London and his occupation- 

 they appear to have been commensurate, as well to the 

 wishes as the wants of any but a covetous and intemper- 

 ate man ; and, in his relations and connections, such 

 a concurrence of circumstances is visible, as it would 

 be almost presumption to pray for. 



For not to mention the patronage of those many 

 prelates and dignitaries of the church, men of piety 

 and learning, with whom he lived in a close intimacy 

 and friendship ; or, the many ingenious and worthy 

 persons with whom he corresponded and conversed ; 

 or, the esteem and respect testified by printed letters 

 and eulogiums, which his writings had procured him 

 To be matched with a woman of an exalted under- 

 standing, and a mild and humble temper; to have 

 children of good inclinations and sweet and amiable 

 dispositions, and to see them well settled ; is not the lot 

 of every man that, preferring a social to a solitary life, 

 chuses to become the head of a family. 



But blessings like these are comparatively light j when 



There, whilst behind some bush we wait 



The scaly people to betray, 

 We'll prove it just with treach'rous bait 



To make the preying Trout our prey. 



And think ourselves in such an hour, 



Happier than those, though not so high, 

 Who, like Leviathans devour, 



Of meaner men the smaller fry. 



This, my best friend, at my poor home 



Shall be our pastime and our theme ; 

 But, then should you nor deign to come, 



You make all this a flatt'ring dream. 



* These, it must be owned, are words of course in a Will : but had 

 the fact been otherwise, he would have been unable to make such a jur 

 dicious disposition of his worldly estate as he has done, or with his owjp 

 hand to write so long an instrument as his Will. 



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