The Compleat ^Angler 



And, sir, I have ventured to fill a part of your margin, by way of 

 paraphrase, for the reader's clearer understanding the situation both 

 of your fishing-house, and the pleasantness of that you dwell in. 

 And I have ventured also to give him a " Copy of Verses " that you 

 were pleased to send me, now some years past, in which he may see 

 a good picture of both ; and so much of your own mind too, as will 

 make any reader, that is blessed with a generous soul, to love you 

 the better. I confess, that for doing this you may justly judge me 

 too bold : if you do, I will say so too ; and so far commute for my 

 offence, that, though I be more than a hundred miles from you, and 

 in the eighty-third year of my age, yet I will forget both, and the 

 next month begin a pilgrimage to beg your pardon ; for I would 

 die in your favour, and till then will live, 



Sir, 



LONDON, Your most affectionate father and friend, 



April 29/^,1676. IZAAK WALTON. 



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