xxxiv LIFE OF IZAAK WALTON. [1644, 



especially as he was then upwards of fifty years of age, a widower, 

 and childless. 



As might be expected from Walton's early habits and associa- 

 tions, he adhered steadfastly during the civil wars to the throne 

 and the altar ; and was in every sense of the word a devoted 

 Royalist. His political and religious opinions occur in almost 

 every page of his writings ; and in common with other Royalists 

 he suffered for his fidelity to his sovereign, though his compara- 

 tively obscure station and peaceable, disposition protected him 

 from heavy sacrifices. He was an intelligent, if not an impartial 

 witness of the great struggle which agitated the country for nearly 

 twenty years ; and the account which he gives of many events of 

 the period, in his Life of Hooker and of Sanderson, are worthy of the 

 attention of historians. He introduces his account of the Scotch 

 Covenanters, and the proceedings of the Long Parliament, in his 

 Life of Bishop Sanderson, by stating that, in the year 1639, when 

 a party of the Scots Church were desirous of reforming their kirk 

 government, " this nation " was " then happy and in peace, though 

 inwardly sick of being well;" and thus proceeds: "There were 

 so many chosen into the Long Parliament, that were of a conjunct 

 council with those very zealous and as factious reformers, as begot 

 such a confusion by the several desires and designs in many of 

 the members of that parliament (all did never consent), and at 

 last in the very common people of this nation, that they were so 

 lost by contrary designs, fears, and confusions, as to believe the 

 Scots and their Covenant would restore them to that former tran- 

 quiUity which they had lost. And to that end the Presbyterian 

 party of this nation did again, in the year 1 643, invite the Scotch 

 Covenanters back into England : and hither they came, marching 

 iwth it gloriously upon their pikes and in their hats, with this 

 motto, ' For the Crown and Covenant of both Kingdoms.' This 

 I saw and suffered by it But when I look back upon the ruin of 

 families, the bloodshed, the decay of common honesty, and how 

 the former piety and plain-dealing of this now sinful nation is 

 turned into cruelty and cunning ; when I consider this, I praise 

 God that He prevented me from being of that party which helped 

 to bring in this Covenant, and those sad confusions that have 

 followed it. And I have been the bolder to say this of myself, 

 because in a sad discourse with Dr Sanderson, I heard him make 

 the like grateful acknowledgment." ^ 



Walton relates from his own knowledge the following remark- 



1 Walton's Lives, ed. Zouch, II. 200, 201. 



