INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 19 



in one of which he also resided about ten years after the above 

 date. It is probably the only correct delineation extant, hav- 

 ing been drawn on the spot by the late Mr. Smith of the Brit- 

 ish Museum, whose superiority in topographical delineation is 

 particularly well known. 



Again, we find some of our author's biographers full of 

 wonder at the extent and high respectability of his connections, 

 particularly among the superior clergy of his time ; it is true 

 that this distinction is ascribed to the most honorable sources, 

 integrity of character, and amiableness of disposition ; we are 

 also apprised of the undoubted fact, that he was brother-in-law 

 to the amiable Bishop Ken, whilst his direct consanguinity with 

 Archbishop Cranmer himself is (although erroneously) insisted 

 on. By extraordinary ingenuity, therefore, mystery has been 

 created out of the very circumstances calculated to afford eluci- 

 dation ; for what is this but presenting Walton to us in the 

 midst of his own relations and family friends ? * proving him 

 to have been in a walk of life, whatever it exactly was, consist- 

 ent even with their alliance, as well as countenance and protec- 

 tion ! To reason but a little further, (see only the list of inti- 

 mates named in his will !) he appears to have known almost 

 everybody who was worth knowing ! and were it not that 

 there seems to be no record of his intimacy with the congeni- 

 ally-minded Evelyn, we should apply to him what was said by 

 Johnson of Congreve : " He lived only for himself and his 

 friends, and amongst his friends he was able to name almost 

 every man of his time whom wit or elegance had raised to 

 reputation ! " 



That he was bred to trade may be accounted for, either 



* Even of John Offley, Esq. (see ante, p. 10), it is stated by Sir H. Nicolas, 

 " He dedicated the work to John Offley of Madeley Manor in Staffordshire, 

 Esquire," his most honored friend, u who, there is ground for supposing, was 

 remotely related to him." In another place, Sir Harris also observes : "This 

 dedic ation is not the only evidence of a personal acquaintance between the 

 families of Walton and Offley : a John Offley proved the will of Agnes W*l- 

 ton of the parish of Madeley on the gd of April, 1573." 



