CHAP. I.] THE FIRST DA Y. 225 



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

 of Mr Izaac 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. 



PiSCATOR. 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 company he does 

 not like, and likes none but such as he believes to be very honest 

 men, which is one of the best arguments, or at least of the best testi- 

 monies I have, that I either am, or that he thinks me one of 

 those, seeing that I have not yet found him weary of me. 



Viator. You speak like a true friend ; and in doing so, render 

 yourself worthy of his friendship. May I be so bold as to ask 

 your name .'' 



PiSCATOR. Yes surely. Sir, and, if you please, a much nicer 



question : my name is , and I intend to stay long enough in 



your company, if I find you do not dislike mine, to ask yours 

 too. In the meantime (because we are now almost at Ash- 

 bourn) I shall freely and bluntly teU you, that I am a brother 

 of the angle too, and, peradventure, can give you some instruc- 

 tions. How to angle for a Trout in a clear river, and my father 

 Walton himself will not disapprove, though he did either pur- 

 posely omit, or did not remember them, when you and he sat 

 discoursing under the sycamore-tree.* And, being you have 

 already told me whither your journey is intended, and that I am 

 better acquainted with the country than you are ; I will heartily 

 and earnestly entreat you will not think of staying at this town, 

 but go on vidth me six miles further to my house, where you shall 

 be extremely welcome ; it is directly in your way, we have day 

 enough to perform our journey, and, as you like your entertain- 

 ment, you may there repose yourself a day or two, or as many 

 more as your occasions will permit, to recompense the trouble of 

 so much a longer journey. 



Viator. Sir, you surprise me with so friendly an invitation 



* Vide p. 99. 



P 



