^T. 89.] LIFE OF IZAAK WALTON. cvii 



south aisle, called Prior Silkstead's Chapel. A large black 

 marble slab is placed over his remains, with the following inscrip- 

 tion j and to use the poetical language of Mr Bowles, " the 

 morning sunshine falls directly on it, reminding the contemplative 

 man of the mornings when he was for so many years up 

 and abroad with his angle on the banks of the neighbouring 

 stream : " * — 



" HERE RESTETH THE BODY OF 



Mr IZAAC WALTON, 



WHO DIED THE ISTH OF DECEMDER 

 1683. 



Alas ! he's gone before, 

 Gone to return no more ! 

 Our panting breasts aspire 

 After their aged sire ; 

 Whose well-spent life did last. 

 Full ninety years and pabt. 

 But now he hath begun 

 That which will ne'er be done. 

 Crown'd with eternal blisse, 

 We wish our souls with his. 



VOTIS MODESTIS SIC FLEEUNT LIEERI." 



The character of Izaak Walton has been described by so many 

 able writers, that the hope of exhibiting him in a new light, or of 

 increasing the number of his admirers, would be presumptuous. 

 In the preceding pages all the incidents of his life have been 

 stated ; and by introducing his own words whenever he has 

 alluded to himself, he has been made, in a great degree, his own 

 biographer. Those statements present, however, little but a 

 general outline of his career ; and the idiosyncrasies of mind 

 which distinguish one individual from another must be sought for 

 in the passages of his works, where he has expressed his opinions 

 and feelings. 



The obscurity in which the early part of Walton's life is in- 

 volved, has given rise to considerable doubts as to the nature and 

 extent of his acquirements. It is not probable that he received 

 a regular classical education ; but although translations existed 

 of nearly all the Latin works which he quotes, it is nevertheless 

 certain that he had some knowledge of that language. His 

 reading in English literature was various and extensive, particu- 

 larly in divinity. On many occasions he alludes to his imperfect 

 education and mean abilities ; and though the latter may be 

 attributed to modesty, the former was, doubtless, grounded upon 



5 Life of Ken, ii. 271. Mr Bowles conjectures that "the retired spot which contains 

 Walton's remains was probably fixed on by himself, as suiting his humbler station of 

 life." 



