the ' Compleat Angler.' 



55 



accept it for what it is — one of the handfomeft publications of 

 modern times, an ornament to the Angler's Library, unique 

 of its kind, and perhaps deftined to remain fo. 



As for the huge amalgam of note upon note, and comment 

 upon comment, we plead guilty, with no c peradventure ' 

 this time, to a heathenifh longing for a fweeping and final 

 clearance, fuch as would give us the c Compleat Angler,' 

 illuftrated and annotated, if you will, but by the artift's pencil 

 alone, and in which we fhould have Walton folus, not Walton 

 baited and badgered by fifty learned profeffors, all catechifing, 

 criticifing, and cavilling at him at once. 



In 1837, we have a miniature reprint of Walton, by Tilt, 

 in two volumes (24-mo.), with neither notes, portraits, nor 

 illuftrations. This we regifter and fet afide. 



In 1844, appeared Major's fourth edition (the two by Lewis 

 and Wafhbourne not having been publifhed under his fuper- 

 intendance). It was printed, as before, in two fizes, crown- 

 octavo and octavo. The obnoxious " Introductory EfTay," 

 aggravated by the abfurd additions we have quoted, (till {ticks 

 to the work, like a burr ; but with this our cenfure exhaufts 

 itfelf ; in other refpects the volume approaches more nearly to 



Tilt's Edition, 

 1837.' 



Major's laft 

 Edition, 1844. 2 



1 " The Complete Angler. By Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton. London : 

 Charles Tilt, 86, Fleet-ftreet ; I. Menzies, Edinburgh; T. Wardle, Phila- 

 delphia, mdcccxxxvii." 301 pages. 



2 " Edited by John Major. Fourth edition. London : D. Bogue, Fleet- 

 Street ; H. Wix, New Bridge Street. mdcccxliv." Price 12/., or large 

 paper, 1/. 4/. 



60 pages preliminary; 418 pages. 12 Iteel engravings; 74 woodcuts. 

 Prince, 1/. 6s., large paper. Pickering, 1/. zs. 



