cxxx FISHING -HOUSE OF 



river, and on the top of it a modest fishing-house is seen, just such 

 a one as we may suppose the provost and his friend vi^ould retire 

 to, either for shelter or to partalce of a fisherman's fare. It might 

 have had Piscatoribus Sacrum inscribed over its door. It stands 

 on an ayte, round which the " delicate clear river " finds its way. 

 To the left, the turrets of Windsor Castle are seen through a vista 

 of magnificent elms ; and to the right, the chapel and college of 

 Eton, with their venerable and beautiful architecture, add to the 

 charm of the scenery. A stand of eel-krails, which is let down to 

 catch these wandering fish when the river is swollen by rains, is 

 not without its interest, placed as it is between two clusters of 

 graceful willows, amongst which the sedge-bird and the willow- 

 wren sing in concert day and night. 



Such is the spot which we have endeavoured to delineate in the 

 accompanying engravings, and which will always be viewed with 

 interest by every admirer of Izaak Walton. The ayte is still the 

 property of the Provost and Fellows of Eton College, and is rented 

 of them by Mr Bacheldor of Windsor, a worthy and expert brother 

 of the angle, who has done much to improve the spot, and to keep 

 up the interest which is attached to it. 



It is, indeed, almost impossible for an honest disciple of Izaak 

 Walton to visit it without his imagination wandering to the times 

 when the excellent Provost of Eton and his friend were seated to- 

 gether on that identical bank, holding sweet discourse, and thank- 

 ing God for the very many blessings He had bestowed on them, 

 and for the quiet and peaceable amusement they were enjoy- 

 ing. He will fancy that he sees them sometimes walking on 

 the banks of their favourite river ; and at others seated quietly 

 on its side " trying to catch the other brace of trout." He 

 may also picture to himself the " ever-memorable " Sir Henry 

 Wotton, reclining with his head resting on his hand, and with 

 his "curious pencil" addressing some such lines as the following 

 to his companion : — 



Good Izaak, let us stay, and rest us here ; 



Old friends when near 

 Should talk together oft, and not lose time 



In silly rhyme, 

 That only addles men's good brains to write, 

 While those who read, bless God they don,*t inditew 



There is a tree close by the river^s side ; 



There let's abide, 

 And only hear far off the world's loud din, 



Where all is sin ; 

 While we our peaceful rods shall busy ply 

 When fish sprmg upward to the dancing fly. 



