Introduction 



that the printer, of whom Walton had frequent occasion to complain, 

 might easily account for that eccentric conjugation of obire, and the 

 bad spelling, it is of small consequence how much or little Latin, or 

 other technical learning, Walton possessed. It is only important to 

 realise that he was sufficiently familiar with such models of good and 

 beautiful style in literature, as to have written English with classic 

 dignity and distinction (such as Lowell, in the rather common essay 

 from which I quote is far from attaining), not to speak of an 

 immortalising charm, which even a more correct conjugation of Latin 

 verbs could hardly have increased. 



That Walton was devoted to literature at quite an early age, and 

 that among his youthful friends he was a marked man because of 

 that devotion, are among the first facts that we become aware of after 

 his baptism. In 1619 was published a short poem, entitled 'The 

 Loves of Amos and Laura, by S.P. (conjectured to be Samuel 

 Purchas, author of the famous Pilgrimage], and this was dedicated 

 to Walton in the following poem : 



To My Approved and Much Respected Friend, Iz. Wa. 



To thee, tbou more than thrice beloved friend, 



I too unworthy of so great a bliss ; 

 These harsh-tun'd lines I here to thee commend, 



Thou being cause it Is now as It Is : 

 For hadst thou held thy tongue, by silence might 

 These have been buried in oblivious night. 



If they were pleasing, 1 would call them thine. 



And disavow my title to the verse: 

 But being bad, I needs must call them mine. 



No ill thing can be clothed In thy verse. 

 Accept them then, and where I have offended, 

 Rase thou It out, and let It be amended. 



S.P. 



This dedication does not occur in the only known copy of the 

 first edition (1613), which, however, is imperfect, and from which it 

 may have been lost, but Sir Harris Nicolas points out that, as the 



xxxiii c 



