FIRST DAY. 383 



every man's that understands anything of the art of angling-, 

 that it is an excellent good one, and that the fore-mentioned 

 gentleman understands as much of fish and fishing as any 

 man living ; but I must tell you further, that I have the 

 happiness to know his person, and to be intimately ac- 

 quainted with him, and in him to know the worthiest man, 

 and to enjoy the best and the truest friend any man ever 

 had ; nay, I shall yet acquaint you further, that he gives 

 me leave to call him father, and I hope is not yet ashamed 

 to own me for his adopted son. 



VlAT. In earnest, Sir, I am ravished to meet with a friend 

 of Mr. Izaak Walton's, and one that does him so much right 

 in so good and true a character ; for I must boast to you 

 that I have the good fortune to know him too, and came 

 acquainted with him much after the same manner I do with 

 you ; that he was my master, who first taught me to love 

 angling, and then to become an angler ; and to be plain 

 with you, I am the very man deciphered in his book under 

 the name of Venator ; for I was wholly addicted to the 

 chase, till he taught me as good, a more quiet, innocent, and 

 less dangerous diversion. 



PlSC. Sir, I think myself happy in your acquaintance, and 

 before we part shall entreat leave to embrace you : you 

 have said enough to recommend you to my best opinion ; 

 for my father Walton will be seen twice in no man's com- 

 pany he does not like, and likes none but such as he be- 

 lieves to be very honest men ; which is one of the best 



trguments, or at least of the best testimonies I have, that 

 I either am, or that he thinks me, one of those, seeing I 



lave not yet found him weary of me. 

 VlAT. You speak like a true friend, and in doing so 



