INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 2? 



chiefly to the illustration of its literary merits; and though we 

 should deem it a sort of profanation to place them on the same 

 page * with the text, we have most zealously endeavored to 

 render them worthy of a distinct perusal. 



The frequent occurrence of eminent names throughout the 

 work naturally leads us to reflect that the chief argument used 

 by Walton in recommending his art the " love and practice " 

 of it by persons of science and learning is of the most per- 

 manent kind. The most ardent anglers of the present day will 

 be found in the higher walks of genius and knowledge ; a host 

 in himself, as it regards our purpose, it were superfluous to covet 

 authorities in addition to that of the, now, in these enlightened 

 days, illustrious President of the Royal Society !f 



Again, for the honor of our author, let us not forget that the 

 brilliant wit, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, is known to have de- 

 clared that he never desired a better companion for post-chaise 

 than this same Angler, or Contemplative Man's Recreation. 



Far indeed from singular is any man who imagines himself 

 alone to have carried his enthusiasm for our author to exactly 

 the proper pitch ! It seems as if there must yet exist a ' ' friendly 

 contention " about the mode of expressing it, as to who shall 



* These notes having been much praised for their very comprehensive use- 

 fulness, considering the limited space, it is only due to the kind and friendly 

 contributor (declining to be named) to acknowledge the careful revision of 

 them, with valuable additions, on the present, occasion ; and also to thank him 

 for a re-collation of the text itself, by which it has been improved throughout. 

 The bantling is, in truth, my own, but its sponsors are innumerable ; one kind 

 patron, a gentleman of fortune, used to say to his friends, " You mj/have 

 this edition, for / have a share in it ! " and a total stranger once assured me 

 that he had bestowed no less than six guinea* on the binding of the work, as 

 a specimen of the skill of Charles Lewis. 



t Sir Humphrey Davy, (alas for Chantrey also !) since de- 

 ceased. The annexed engraving is from a seal ring, which 

 this ardent angler, a short time before his death, caused to be 

 engraved "with a trout upon it," and left to his friend, W. 

 Haseldine Pepys, Esq., F.R.S., " not as a mourning ring" 

 but to be worn " in memory of the happy days they had passed together by 

 the river side / " This was quite in the true " love-my-memory " spirit of our 

 own Izaak himself. 



