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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/77591-0.txt b/77591-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fa7d280 --- /dev/null +++ b/77591-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7613 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77591 *** + + + + + THE + RIVER DOVE + WITH SOME QUIET THOUGHTS ON THE HAPPY PRACTICE OF ANGLING + + +[Illustration: Black-and-white woodcut showing a dolphin wrapped around +a vertical anchor shaft, with the Latin words ‘Aldi,’ ‘Discip.,’ and +‘Anglvs’ arranged around the image.] + + LONDON + + WILLIAM PICKERING + + 1847 + + + Ἐρασμίν ΠἝΛΕΙΑ, + Πόθεν πόθεν μέτασσαι; + Πόθεν μύρων τοσούτων + Πνέεις τε καὶ ψεκάζεις; + Anacreon, Ode IX. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + TO THE READER. + + + _Sir_, + +_The book I here present to you was put into the Printer’s hands for the +entertainment of a few Gentlemen Fishers; and I hope you take a pleasure +in the harmless recreation of Angling, otherwise I may not hope you will +overlook its defects. I heartily wish it were a more worthy tribute to +the memory of those best masters of our art_, Mr. Izaak Walton, and Mr. +Charles Cotton: + + ‘ALAS, THAT THEY ARE DEAD!’ + +_But I beseech you to be civil, and moderate in your censures; for I +undertook those pleasant walks, to which I here invite you, by the banks +of the_ DOVE (_now ten years are past_) _to unbend my mind from some +serious cares. And that I may not detain you from the perusal, I have +only this further to desire,—that we may all have a south wind when we +go a-fishing,—and be blest with a virtuous cheerful spirit, a peaceful +conscience, and at last eternal rejoicings in the kingdom of angels._ + + _Your loving friend + and humble servant,_ + _J. L. A._ + + _From my House at —— + Festival of St._ Peter, 1687. + +[Illustration] + + + + + CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER I. A Meeting at Derby, between an Angler and a Painter. + + CHAPTER II. A Conference at Supper between the Angler, the Painter, + and the Host. + + CHAPTER III. The Host conducts the Angler and Painter to Beresford + Hall and Mr. Cotton’s Fishing House on the River Dove. + + CHAPTER IV. The Angler and the Painter take a pleasant walk to the + source of the Dove. + + CHAPTER V. The return of the Angler and Painter to Ashbourne, + through Dove Dale. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + THE RIVER DOVE; + + WITH SOME QUIET THOUGHTS ON THE HAPPY PRACTICE OF ANGLING. + + + + + CHAPTER I. + _A Meeting at_ Derby, _between an_ Angler _and a_ Painter. + + + _Painter._ + +Welcome, Mr. Gentleman Angler: welcome to Derby. + +_Angler._ Good morrow, brother, I am glad to see you look so cheering +and courteous; for I must confess I am later than our fix’t appointment. + +_Painter._ Sir, now I possess you, I’m too glad-hearted to chide your +lagging: yet, to say the truth, I expected you this hour agone; for +methought your sprightful anglers were apt to prevent the sun’s rising +on a delicate May morning. + +_Angler._ Give me your pardon this turn, and doubt not to find me +stirring with the lark every day that you and I purpose to walk in each +other’s company by the banks of the Dove. + +_Painter._ My pardon you shall have the more willingly, if you fail not +a traveller’s good stomach for breakfast. + +_Angler._ You may trust me. I am as keenly set as a moss trooper. + +_Painter._ I am glad to hear it, for I have told the civil hostess to +treat us well. + +_Angler._ You are worthy to be a brother of the angle; and this I am +resolved you shall be when we are come to the river that I love so +well:—but let us see what we may have for our breakfast, and fall to it +merrily. + +_Painter._ Here it is, and all of the best; so let us say grace, and +begin. + +_Angler._ With all my heart;—and that will give it a relish. + +_Painter._ How now, brave Sir! What say you? + +_Angler._ By pick and pie ’tis all excellent. When I am Lord Great +Chamberlain you shall be my caterer. Come, Sir, for a glass of ale; my +service to you. Now I envy not the daintiest court gallants in the land, +that are asleep on their beds of down. + +_Painter._ I am amazed how some sluggards will lie a-bed almost till +dinner time. + +_Angler._ They know none of the ingenuous delights of fishermen. So let +us bless God, that we have not only a mind to rise with the sun, but the +power to it, for that is still better. And, as plain-hearted Mr. Walton +says, ‘that our present happiness may appear to be greater, and we the +more thankful for it, I will beg you to consider with me, how many do, +even at this very time, lie under the torment of the stone, the gout, +and the tooth ache, and this we are free from; and every misery that I +miss is a new mercy.’ + +_Painter._ And how many are now languishing in the sad captivity of +dungeons, ‘feeding on bread of affliction, and water of +affliction.’——But, come; tell me how it has fared with you, since we +parted from each other’s company, now two days agone, when you resolved +to entertain yourself with some hours fishing in the lower parts of the +River Dove, near to the town of Uttoxeter. + +_Angler._ That I will relate to you by and by, as we journey towards +Ashbourne; and because the morning wears apace, let us take another cup +of barley wine and be gone; for we have some hours, and many more miles, +on this side Alstonfields, where you and I must lodge to-night. + +_Painter._ It is well thought; so Mistress Hostess here is payment for +your choice breakfast, and thanks for your civility, and so we wish you +good morrow.——And now, brother, seeing we are past Derby Bridge, and are +come out of the town, look forth on the freshness of the landscape, and +the dewdrops that hang on every blade and bush, sparkling in the beams +of the sun. + +_Angler._ What happy thoughts possess a man’s mind when he breathes the +air of the morning, and contemplates the bounties of nature! + +_Painter._ Aye; then the heart is full of unspeakable thoughts that soar +upward from earth to heaven, and so higher still on the spiritual wings +of reverential love unto HIM, who is above this vault so beautiful, so +vast, and is the Creator and Sustainer of all. + +_Angler._ And listen to the very song-birds chirping their untaught +morning harmony to God, who ‘_causeth the day-spring from on high to +know his place_.’ + +_Painter._ This simple feathered choir teaches mankind to be cheerful, +and to sing joyful psalms, and to make melody in their heart to the +Lord: nay, what can be pleasanter than to do this, ‘_when the very +morning stars sing together_.’ And what says even the learned heathen, +Epictetus?[1]—‘If we have any wisdom, what is more becoming in public +and in private, than to sing hymns to the Deity? If I were a +nightingale, I should do as the nightingales do—if a swan, as the swans; +but because I am a reasonable creature, I must the rather praise God. So +I will never leave that practice myself, and I do exhort all others to +it.’—And now give me leave to put you in mind to tell me something of +your lonely walks round about Uttoxeter, that we may beguile the way +with cheerful conversation between this and Ashbourne. + +_Angler._ That I shall willingly do: and first, you are to know, I +passed by the great forest of Needwood, that has some of the pleasantest +chases and parks in all England, and is so full of marvellous big oaks +and fat bucks; then, after Needwood I came to Tutbury. + +_Painter._ Indeed! + + ‘The battle was fought near Titbury town, + ‘When the bagpipes baited the bull?’[2] + +_Angler._ Come, Sir, if you have that choice ballad by memory, pr’ythee +let us hear it. + + ‘Kind gentlemen, will ye be patient awhile? + ‘Aye, and then you shall hear anon, + ‘A very good ballad of bold Robin Hood, + ‘And of his man, brave little John.’ + +_Painter._ Some parts I could repeat; but rather let me hear of your +walk from Tutbury: and pr’ythee when thou wast thereabouts, didst +‘=demaunde one bacon flyke, hanging in the Halle of the Lord of +Whichenovre?=’[3] + +_Angler._ Nay—do you take me for a Benedick? Let the flyke be claimed by +the wondrous wight that ‘=would not chaunge his wife for none other, +farer ne fowler, rycher ne pourer of alle the wymen of the worlde=.’ + +_Painter._ And how is his highness, the ‘king of the minstrels?’[4] + +_Angler._ Gone to his rest, with brave John of Gaunt, and the Prior of +Tutbury. Alas! since the roundheads once kept watch and ward in Tutbury +Castle, the merry minstrelsy is hushed in the hall. But now you may +consider me to be arrived in the town of Uttoxeter, full of composed +thoughts, and there I found a tidy house of refreshment, and put myself +to bed betimes, that I might be away before the day dawn; and so I was, +and let me tell you my first waking thoughts, after remembering my +prayers, were of the River Dove, and my happy practice of angling. + +_Painter._ That indeed was natural, and I make bold to think you caught +some brace of trouts before breakfast? + +_Angler._ Not so, brother; for you are to note every angler must needs +be blest with a hopeful and patient disposition, since he may sometimes +look to come home as he went forth, that is to say, with an empty +pannier— + +_Painter._ As the reward of his patience! Well, patience is an herb, +they say, makes a ‘good boiled sallad:’ why, Sir, an angler need to be +‘Patience on a monument,’ that he may sit silently by the river, and +look down at nothing but his float. + +_Angler._ Well! I give you leave to censure, since you know none of +those sweet pleasures that attend on angling: and I remit you to Mr. +Izaak Walton, ‘that dear lover and frequent practicer of my art,’ for +many clear reasons and examples to prove that it may be esteemed one of +the most honest and commendable recreations a gentleman can practise. + +_Painter._ A hopeful entertainment, truly! Nevertheless, I cannot but +smile at your dumpish anglers that wait so meekly for their fortunes, as +to seem fixed with all the gravity of sculptured images on the margin of +their streams. + +_Angler._ So, so! good brother, you may smile and wonder too; nay, I +will laugh with you, and after that will not be ashamed to confess how I +am possessed with a constant love of my gentle craft. But for the +present let me bring your thoughts towards the Dove, near to Uttoxeter. + +_Painter._ Aye, let us hear more of that; then you made some +contemplative trial of the trouts? + +_Angler._ But it was all in vain; for the wind was contrary, and they +took no liking to my flies, and so I missed my sport: but I hope for +better acceptance the next time I go a-courting that way. + +_Painter._ Then I beseech you, gentle Mr. Angler, how did you pass the +hours, since the trouts, out of their coyness, declined from your +acquaintance? If I might conjecture, you straightway fell into a +consideration of Master Izaak Walton’s praise of fishes and fishing. + +_Angler._ And if I did? Give me leave to tell you, he hath set forth the +delights of this recreation with such refined and ingenuous arguments, +as to persuade many a man to become a fisher, who was before very averse +to it. Nay, I shall hope to make you put on new thoughts of angling +before we part company; for, of all men, limners have most cause to love +my art, seeing they may recline by the side of a lake or river, and +leave their angle rods ‘to fish for themselves,’ and this Mr. Walton +declares, and truly, to be ‘like putting money to use; for then these +angle rods work for the owners when they do nothing but sleep, or eat, +or rejoice’— + +_Painter._ Or paint pictures! + +_Angler._ Even so: and I may declare to you I have seen such pleasant +prospects of woodlands, and rivers, and streams, that have flowed along +the valleys and through many a mead in England, when I have been +a-fishing, as the best limner might desire to look at; and yet not be +able to imitate with all his daintiness of hand. And some of these I +made a discovery of, within a little mile or two round Uttoxeter, by the +banks of the Dove; for seeing I was not like to fish to profit, I +considered within myself what I should do; and after a while I resolved +to examine into those parts of the river, and so be admitted into a more +familiar acquaintance with its landskips. + +_Painter._ Well thought; and I declare to you I am ready to esteem it my +loss that I was not in your company. + +_Angler._ There are many parts thereabouts would have touched you +mightily: for nature, that is so excellent an artificer, hath contrived +her works on either side the river with a most unimitable disposition +and skilfulness. And you are to note, the river I speak of is the Dove; + + ‘Whose dainty grasse, + ‘That grows upon her banks, all other doth surpasse,’ + +as old Michael Drayton[5] declares: and thereabouts I found the Churnet, +that gives her the contribution of its streams, and is contented to +receive nothing from her in exchange but her speckled trouts,—and this +for the sweet satisfaction of an attendance upon her, till her espousals +with the Trent below Eggington. Then I may not omit to mention that +pleasant river the Blythe, whose fountains spring up near to the +‘ancient castel’ of Caverswall, gathering strength as she flows along by +the Earl of Derby’s great park and Castle of Chartley, and then + + ‘Bears easey down tow’rds her deere soveraign Trent.’ + +_Painter._ Blythe! the very name is full of promise; and I doubt not her +banks are lined with prospects of mountains and vales. + +_Angler._ All variegated with moorlands and woodlands;—such alluring +scenes for an angler or a painter, and so decked by nature’s hand as to +be little spots of enchantment, which caused me a double sorrow that you +were not my fellow traveller: and I resolved I would some time or other +see those landskips again, if it should please God to let me live long +enough, and give me the diversion of some leisurable days. + +_Painter._ Your commendations of the Dove inflame my desires to make +acquaintance with her streams; and I rejoice that I am now like to do +this in your company; and I beseech you tell me something more of the +Churnet, that joins itself thereabouts to the Dove. + +_Angler._ That would I willingly, if time might serve; but we are come +within sight of Brailsford. + +_Painter._ Then make me this promise, that we may beguile some future +hours together by those lower passages of the Dove, and see where she +discharges herself into the Trent. + +_Angler._ Let that be a match between us; and I promise you nothing can +be pleasanter for an artist than the lights and shadows of their +umbrageous banks, and the pastures, and lowing herds by the river, and +the native cascades and rocks, and the peaceful villages with antient +churches, that lend their aid to the composure of those retired +prospects. + +_Painter._ How did you call this pleasant looking place we are come to? + +_Angler._ Now you are arrived at Brailsford; and there is the Saracen’s +Head, that is kept by honest John Bembridge; this way, so please you; +and look, here is a well of water, called St. Bernard’s Well, so like to +chrystal, that almost a blind beggar may see the pebble stones at the +bottom. + +_Painter._ It is surprisingly clear. + +_Angler._ Then, I beseech you, take your pencil, and give me a design, +in remembrance of this pleasant walk we have undertaken together. + +_Painter._ I cannot deny any request of yours, for I have left my home +for no other end than the satisfaction of your company and civil +discourse, and to give you in return all the contentment that my poor +art is capable of. + +_Angler._ Why that’s heartily and kindly spoken; and I will be so bold +to promise you some entertainment on our journey; for, look you, here is +the newest impression of Mr. Walton’s COMPLETE ANGLER, and here is _Part +the Second_, that is lately printed for a companion to it. + +_Painter._ Indeed! another volume from the fertile pen of Mr. Izaak +Walton! what more that is new can he have to say on Angling? + +_Angler._ Stay a while; for this is a Treatise of Fly Fishing, ‘_being +Instructions how to angle for a Trout or Grayling in a clear Stream_,’ +writ by Mr. Charles Cotton, of Beresford Hall, his adopted son; so they +are printed together in testimony of their mutual affection. It is a +cheerful dialogue between _Piscator Junior_, that is, Mr. Charles Cotton +himself, and _Viator_, who was a gentleman-traveller he overtook on +horseback, between Derby and Ashbourne, half a mile from this place. And +if these two treatises together do not kindle in your mind a love for +the art, I am certain you will at least gather from the perusal a +charitable disposition towards anglers. + +_Painter._ It would be uncivil to deny Mr. Cotton’s merits before I have +read his treatise; and for Mr. Walton, I may confess he has a singular +vein of wit and affability, and some parts of his other works, that I +have dipped into, are writ with so happy a pen, and are so full of +judicious discourse, as testify to his modest disposition, and exact +diligence and discernment. + +_Angler._ I’m glad you think so. + +_Painter._ But surely it cannot be denied, that he hath sometimes spun a +long line for the readers of his discourse on fishing? + +_Angler._ Yet are his lines spun with a curious magical contexture of +learning and wit, to allure his readers no less than to deceive all +kinds of fishes; for his book extremely abounds with innocent mirth, and +what is better than all, you may not deny that in every part he +discourses sweetly on the unseen world, and things after death. + +_Painter._ There is not a doubt he hath a thankful and reverential +heart. + +_Angler._ Aye, and is an orthodox christian, that loves our dear mother +THE CHURCH, her primitive orders of apostolic ministry and government, +her holy sacraments and her service book, which are even now a mark for +the butt-shafts of unquiet carking separatists, who dispute against the +laws both ecclesiastical and civil. + +_Painter._ Oh! I am grieved to think how those censurers be so full of +their own whimsies, and unconformable to discipline, that if you spoke +to them with angels’ tongues they would not be persuaded to hold to the +Catholic Church in England, which learned Lord Bacon declares to be as +sound and orthodox in the doctrine thereof as any church in the world. + +_Angler._ True,—and Mr. Walton is of the same opinion: and some of his +writings are choice pieces of christian philosophy; and a life of +innocency, and his modest peaceableness of mind have endeared him to +many of our most grave and pious prelates now living. + +_Painter._ Nevertheless for his COMPLETE ANGLER it is pleasant to see +with what seriousness he dilates on the antiquity and other qualities of +his art. He is like Master Shakespeare’s dauphin in a panegyric on his +palfrey. ‘When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; +the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more +musical than the pipe of Hermes—’ + +_Angler._ ‘No more, cousin,’ I beseech you. + +_Painter._ ‘Nay, the man hath no wit, that cannot, from the rising of +the lark to the lodging of the lamb, vary deserved praise on my palfrey: +it is a theme as fluent as the sea; turn the sands into eloquent +tongues, and my horse is argument for them all: ’tis a subject for a +sovereign to reason on, and for a sovereign’s sovereign to ride on, and +for the world to lay apart their particular functions and wonder at +him.’[6] + +_Angler._ Ha—ha—ha! would my dear master were by to defend his poor +jennet. + +_Painter._ Well, well; I would not deny him the privilege of riding +astride on his hobby horse, seeing how the greatest scholar of the last +age composed a panegyric on Folly, and made a dedication of it to Sir +Thomas More, that wise Chancellor of England. + +_Angler._ Since I perceive how you are resolved to run at tilt against +poor, civil, honest anglers, I will forbear, and ‘_study to be quiet_,’ +after the example of my master, who, if he has not the meekness of +Moses, (and that I will not declare,) yet is the meekest man I know of +in this disputing age. + +_Painter._ Nay, brother, I did but jest: and doubtless Mr. Walton is a +man of primitive piety, for his lives of Dr. Donne, Sir Henry Wotton, +venerable Mr. Richard Hooker, and Mr. George Herbert, could only be +composed by one of like religious affections with those memorable men. + +_Angler._ And call to mind that picture he has drawn of Dr. Donne’s last +sickness that ended in his death. + +_Painter._ I remember the words, how he declares that good man was at +length ‘so happy as to have nothing to do but to die;’ and how ‘he lay +fifteen days earnestly expecting his hourly change, and in the last hour +of his last day, as his body melted away and vapoured into spirit, his +soul having, I verily believe, some revelation of the beatifical vision, +he said, “_I were miserable if I might not die_;” and how afterward, +being speechless, and seeing heaven by that illumination by which he saw +it, he did, as St. Stephen, look steadfastly into it, till he saw the +Son of Man standing at the right hand of God his Father, and being +satisfied with this blessed sight, his soul ascended, and his last +breath departed from him.’ For he was so rooted and grounded in +celestial love, he shook the king of terrors, and disarmed him of his +sting, and the dark grave was shorn of his victory. + +_Angler._ True; for he had long had his blameless conversation in +heaven: he was a spiritual soldier that had quenched all the fiery darts +of the mysterious wicked one by the shield of faith, and now, like holy +Paul, he yearned to be released from things below, and to take part in +the invisible harmonious choirs in heavenly places. And what a natural +picture of primitive manners Mr. Walton hath drawn in his life of the +ever-memorable Mr. Hooker, who, when he was in his eighteenth year, and +as soon as he was perfectly recovered from a dangerous sickness at +Corpus Christi College in Oxford, took a journey to Exeter, to satisfy +and see his good mother, who in all that time of his sickness had ‘in +her hourly prayers as earnestly begged his life of God, as Monica, the +mother of St. Augustine, did, that he might become a true Christian.’ + +_Painter._ I have never read, or have forgot that journey of his. + +_Angler._ Well then, I may tell you, he walked from Oxford unto Exeter, +‘with a companion of his own college, and both on foot; which was then +either more in fashion, or want of money, or their humility, made it so: +but on foot they went, and took Salisbury in their way, purposely to see +the good bishop’ (that was Bishop Jewel, his constant and dear patron +and the bestower of an annual pension for his comfortable subsistence;) +‘and the good bishop made Mr. Hooker and his companion dine with him at +his own table: and at his parting the bishop gave him good counsel and +his benediction, but forgot to give him money; which, when the bishop +had considered, he sent a servant in all haste to call Richard back to +him: and at Richard’s return, the bishop delivered into his hand a +walking-staff, with which he professed he had travelled through many +parts of Germany,’ and he called it ‘_his horse which had carried him +many a mile with much ease_.’ And he said, ‘Richard, _I do not give but +lend you my horse: be sure you be honest, and bring my horse back to me +at your return this way to Oxford. And I do now give ten groats to bear +your charges to Exeter: and here is ten groats more, which I charge you +to deliver to your mother, and tell her I send her a bishop’s +benediction with it, and beg the continuance of her prayers for me. And +if you bring my horse back to me, I will give you ten groats more to +carry you on foot to the college; and so God bless you, good_ Richard.’ + +_Painter._ I may promise you I shall remember that pilgrimage on foot of +‘good Richard,’ to his poor mother’s house at Exeter, and the bishop’s +walking-staff and his blessing, and his so nigh-forgotten groats. + +_Angler._ And so in Mr. Walton’s COMPLETE ANGLER you will find many +passages that exhibit his own serenity of mind, and such touches of +rural life as will requite you for the pains of reading: but now let me +see the picture you have drawn of Brailsford Well. + +_Painter._ Here it is. + +_Angler._ I declare ’tis simply and clearly designed. + +_Painter._ I perceive you are resolved to be gentle with my first +essaye; but I am glad it contents you, and now let us be going. + +_Angler._ With all my heart. + +_Painter._ How now! here is a cheerful rivulet, that I see running from +the meadows into the road. + +_Angler._ This is Brailsford Brook, and look you, here is a bridge. + +_Painter._ And yonder is a handsome church and tower. I must, with your +leave, step into these meadows and draw the landskip. + +_Angler._ Aye, I beseech you; for here is the spot of ground where the +pleasant conference began between Mr. Charles Cotton and his new friend, +that he accosted on the road as they were both going to Ashbourne. + +‘_You are happily overtaken, Sir_,’ said he; ‘_may a man be so bold as +to inquire how far you travel this way?_’ + +_Painter._ They were strangers, then? + +_Angler._ Nevertheless they so affected one another, after that +salutation and other pleasant discourse, as not to part company till +they had enjoyed some days’ innocent recreation a-fishing at Beresford +Hall. Nay more, Viator declared, on the second day, that he was ‘_so far +in love with_ Piscator _and his country, and pretty moorland seat, as to +resolve to stay with him long enough, by intervals, to hear all he had +to say of his art_.’ + +_Painter._ And pr’ythee, how did Mr. Cotton reply to this familiar +declaration? + +_Angler._ How did he reply! with all the politeness of an angler;—‘_Sir, +you cannot oblige me more than by such a promise._’ + +_Painter._ Well said! Then here they made their first acquaintance? + +_Angler._ And here is one of those little sparkling brooks that you +shall meet every where in this country; nay, Mr. Cotton declares, ‘_they +are full of trouts, and some of them the best (it is said) by many +degrees in England_.’ + +_Painter._ Trouts! and in so mean a stream as this? + +_Angler._ But I do not say they shall be all big trouts; for, as Mr. +Walton hath it, ‘some rivers, by reason of the ground over which they +run, breed larger trouts, like as some pastures breed larger sheep;’ and +some streams there are, not many times broader than Brailsford Brook, +that breed trouts three and four pounds in weight: but you may not think +to find the biggest trouts at all times the best meat. And he that +studies the nature and seasons of fishes may observe how sometimes the +trouts will change their haunts, and travel up a stream for many miles, +in their natural desire after the fresh waters; nay, to the very +fountain-head of some brook, and there wade among the clear sandy +shallows; indeed, I have seen trouts taken out of the dark springs that +rise in the caverns of the Great Peak underneath Castleton. + +_Painter._ After what you say, I doubt not but Brailsford Brook may +breed good trouts; and I care not whence they come, so we have a brace +for supper. + +_Angler._ That I promise you, and skilfully drest too: + + ‘For mark well, good brother, what now I doe say, + ‘Sauce made of anchoves is an excellent way, + ‘With oysters, and lemon, clove, nutmeg and mace, + ‘When the brave spotted trout hath been boyled apace, + ‘With many sweet herbs.’ + +And this was the fashion of an experienced angler, that hath discovered +‘_many rare secrets, very necessary to be known by all that delight in +the recreation both of catching the fish, and dressing thereof_.’[7] + +_Painter._ Aye, aye; your meditative fishers have always some singular +discoveries to enhance the practice of their art. I remember one honest +gentleman,[8] of a most fertile wit, called angling the ‘_Pleasure of +Princes, or Goodmen’s Recreation_.’ + +_Angler._ In that he did no more than was both reasonable and true. + +_Painter._ And the same notable gentleman unravelled this mystery, ‘that +the angler’s apparell should by no means be garish, light coloured, or +shining, for whatsoever hath a glittering hue reflecteth upon the water, +and immediately it affrighteth the fish.’ + +_Angler._ And this, before you and I have done walking, you may prove to +your cost, with your gaysome doublet and jerkin. + +_Painter._ So, Master Piscator, ‘let your apparell be plaine and comely, +of darke colour, as russett, tawney, or such like, close to your body, +without any new fashioned slashes or hanging sleeves waving loose like +sayles about you.’[9] + +_Angler._ Well, well; in every art ’tis good to have a master; and that +this is one of our ‘_Secrets_,’ these verses of a happy angler may +declare: + + ‘And let your garments russet be or gray, + ‘Of colour darke and hardest to descry, + ‘That with the raine or weather will away, + ‘And least offend the fearful fishes’ eye. + + ‘For neither scarlet, nor rich cloth of ray, + ‘Nor colours dipt of fresh Assyrean dye, + ‘Nor tender silkes of purple, paule of gold, + ‘Will serve so well to keepe off wet or cold.’[10] + +And pr’ythee look to your own tooles; for you will do well, if you have +one of honest Gervase Markham’s _Twelve Virtues of an Angler_—to wit: ‘A +knowledge in proportions of all sorts, to give a geographical +description of the angles and channels of rivers, how they fall from +their heads, and what compasses they fetch in their several +windings.’[11] + +_Painter._ You shall see—you shall see—but I am ready to attend you, for +I have drawn this careless picture; and so let us towards +Ashbourne.——Why, how is this? We are scarce two miles from Brailsford, +and here we have another rivulet rustling through the grass. + +_Angler._ This brook before us, at the foot of yon sandy hill, has been +noticed by Mr. Cotton to have ‘_scarce any name amongst us, and to be +too woody for the recreation of fishing_.’ + +_Painter._ That I may easily believe, for it seems but a narrow thread +of water, winding along the meadows, and almost hid beneath those ash +trees. + +_Angler._ Yet, you may take a store of trouts in this nameless rivulet +by Longford Mill, which is not far from where we stand; and I have the +undoubted authority of Mr. John Davors to say, ‘the trout makes the +angler most gentlemanlie and readiest sport of all other fishes.’[12] +But look before you, for we are now come to the top of Spittle Hill, +over against Ashbourne. + +_Painter._ Indeed! and there the town lies in a bottom; and I declare—a +goodly church! and beyond it, on the other side, I see some stately +mountains, and one that lifts his top as high as the clouds. + +_Angler._ And therefore called Thorpe Cloud; and you are to note the +Dove winds round the base, through her rugged channel of rocks. Would I +were there! But I am so bold as to request a sketch of this chequered +prospect before us from your lively pencil. + +_Painter._ It shall be done; for it is, indeed, a fine and spacious +landskip; and I shall be happy if my poor drawings can give you +satisfaction. + +_Angler._ They do, indeed; so I pray you begin, and forget not yonder +hills that are behind the town, for we may hope ‘to stretch our legs up’ +some of them by and by. But how will you draw the natural perspective of +the road, which now drops with so great a steepness from before us? + +_Painter._ Thus it is—here _Viator_ and _Piscator_ discourse together. +You may see them in outline, both on horseback, and there is the fall in +the ground. + +_Angler._ It is ingeniously contrived!—But I must tell you Mr. Cotton +travelled with his serving man—therefore, so please you, let us have a +third rider that should follow behind the other two, for they were all +mounted on horseback.—So! that is admirable; and I can now see before me +the polite angler that allured his companion to visit his ‘_pretty +moorland seat_’ in Staffordshire. Oh, how the hours do lag ere we come +to that ‘_marvellous pretty place_.’ + +_Painter._ Was that the Beresford Hall you spoke of? + +_Angler._ The same: but if you desire to know how they conversed +together as they arrived at Spittle Hill, I will read it to you in Mr. +Cotton’s own words, whiles you are to finish the landskip. + +_Painter._ I am ready to hear it, and what is more, to take a pleasure +in listening. + +_Angler._ Well, you may note _Piscator_ was so pleased with his +companion, that he had earnestly and honestly invited him to his house, +and promised he would be extremely welcome; then _Viator_ felt a +surprise, ‘_with so friendly an invitation upon so short acquaintance_,’ +and said ‘_he could not in modesty accept his offer, and must therefore +beg his pardon_;’ but Mr. Cotton would not be denied; and at length, as +they drew near to Spittle Hill, where you and I at this moment stand, he +repeated his invitation, and said, ‘_Now, Sir, if I am not mistaken, I +have half overcome you; and that I may wholly conquer that modesty of +your’s, I will take upon me to be so familiar as to say, you must accept +my invitation, which that you may be the more easily persuaded to do, I +will tell you, that my house stands upon the margin of one of the finest +rivers for trout and grayling in England_,’ (which you are to observe +was the Dove,) ‘_and that I have lately built a little fishing-house +upon it, dedicated to anglers, over the door of which you will see the +two first letters of my father Walton’s name and mine twisted in cypher; +that you shall lie in the same bed he has sometimes been contented with, +and have such country entertainment as my friends sometimes accept, and +be welcome, too, as the best of them all._’ + +_Painter._ Mr. Cotton has a cheerful natural way with him; and what a +delight he takes in his river Dove above all others, and his little +fishing-house upon the margin. + +_Angler._ As witness these verses he addressed to his adopted father, +Mr. Izaak Walton: + + ‘Such streams, Rome’s yellow Tiber cannot show, + ‘The Iberian Tagus, or Ligurian Po; + ‘The Maese, the Danube, and the Rhine + ‘Are puddle water all, compared with thine: + ‘And Loire’s pure streams yet too polluted are + ‘With thine much purer to compare: + ‘The rapid Garonne, and the winding Seine, + ‘Are both too mean, + ‘Beloved Dove, with thee + ‘To vie priority; + ‘Nay, Thame and Isis when conjoin’d, submit, + ‘And lay their trophies at thy silver feet.’[13] + +And we shall find it as pleasant as he has represented it. And all this +benevolence between _Piscator_ and _Viator_ was, because they both +affected the person of Mr. Izaak Walton and his art of angling. + +_Painter._ How love will temper the spirits of men! Surely it is a spark +of the divine mind,—a secret charm implanted in our nature to mould us +to the image of the Highest.—But how came it to pass that _Viator_ +participated in Mr. Cotton’s happy disinterested friendship for Mr. +Walton? + +_Angler._ It is most certain he did; for when they discoursed on +fishing, and accidental mention was made of Mr. Walton’s Complete +Angler, _Piscator_ asked, ‘_what is your opinion of that book?_’ to +which Mr. Cotton replied, ‘_my opinion of Mr. Walton’s book is the same +with every man’s that understands any thing of the art of angling, that +it is an excellent good one_;’ and he then added, ‘_but I must tell you +further, that I have the happiness to know his person, and to be +intimately acquainted with him, and in him to know the worthiest man, +and to enjoy the best and the truest friend any man ever had; nay, I +shall yet acquaint you that he gives me leave to call him father, and I +hope is not yet ashamed to own me for his Adopted Son_.’ Whereupon +_Viator_ replied, ‘_In earnest, Sir! I am ravished to meet with a friend +of Mr. Izaak Walton’s, and one that does him so much right in a good and +true character, for I must boast to you that I have the good fortune to +know him too, and came acquainted with him in the same manner I do with +you; that he was my master who first taught me to love angling, and thus +to become an angler; and to be plain with you, I am the very man +decyphered in his book under the name of_ Venator.’ + +_Painter._ Excellent! that was a pleasant surprise to him! + +_Angler._ ‘_For_,’ (he continues) ‘_I was wholly addicted to the chase, +until he taught me as good—a more quiet, innocent, and less dangerous +diversion._’ And this also Mr. Roger Jackson declares, who undertook the +printing of the SECRETS OF ANGLING, ‘out of a virtuous desire to give +his countrie satisfaction;’ for he declared, in his dedication of that +book to his much respected friend Mr. John Harborne, of Tackley, in the +county of Oxford, Esquire, that, ‘the art of angling is much more worthy +practice and approbation than hunting and hawking; for it is a sport +every way as pleasant, less chargeable, more profitable, and nothing so +much subject to choller and impatience as those are.’ And now listen to +the answer of _Piscator_, for he said, ‘_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._’ Thus you +may note how the declaration of _Viator_, that he was acquainted with +Mr. Walton, touched a chord which vibrated to the other’s affections, +and harmonized their spirits to a most innocent friendship. + +_Painter._ What an engaging encounter of the two strangers, who thus +discovered to each other their affection for pious and peaceable Mr. +Walton! With what a grace doth holiness encircle him that wears it! +surely ’tis a crown without thorns or cares, decked with spiritual +jewels. I declare to you, I am moved to a better acquaintance with all +three: notwithstanding I have always looked upon angling to be a +solitary recreation, not worthy so much as our vacant hours. + +_Angler._ I hope before we part company you will be undeceived, and +learn how we anglers can recreate our spirits, when the sun rises over +the hills; and this I promise in reward for your sudden resolve to come +on your travels with me, only to the intent that by your art and +sociable conversation you might give me pleasure. + +_Painter._ I now thank you heartily, because you moved me to this +journey; nay more, if I might believe my present thoughts, I shall be +surprised into a desire to try and angle in the river Dove, that you +take so great a delight in. + +_Angler._ That were strange indeed,—to see your leisure divided between +the pencil and the angle rod!—yet if I could once inveigle you to the +practice of our harmless sport, so full of hopes and composure, you +would soon confess to its excellency, and say with the unknown poet,[14] + + ‘Oh let me rather on the pleasant brink + ‘Of Tyne and Trent possess some dwelling place, + ‘Where I may see my quill and cork down sink + ‘With eager bite of barbel, bleik, or dace. + + ‘Let other men their pastimes, then, pursue, + ‘And on their pleasing fancies feed their fill: + ‘So I the fields and meadows green may view, + ‘And by the rivers fresh may walk at will, + ‘Among the daisies and the violets blue, + ‘Red hyacinth and yellow daffodil, + ‘Purple narcissus like the morning rays, + ‘Pale ganderglass and azure culverkayes. + + ‘The lofty woods; the forests wide and long, + ‘Adorn’d with leaves and branches fresh and green, + ‘In whose cool bow’rs the birds with chaunting song + ‘Do welcome with their quire the summer’s queen, + ‘The meadows fair, where Flora’s gifts among + ‘Are intermix’d the verdant grass between. + ‘The silver scaled fish that softly swim + ‘Within the brooks and crystal wat’ry brim. + + ‘All these and many more of His creation + ‘That made the heavens, the angler oft doth see, + ‘And takes therein no little delectation + ‘To think how strange and wonderful they be.’ + +_Painter._ Why, Sir, your faithful memory is like a casket, well stored +with curious gems, that you unlock at will to embellish your discourse +withal: and now here is my picture of Spittle Hill. + +_Angler._ It is an obvious copy of nature, and a sweet view over +Ashbourne. + +_Painter._ The brow of such a hill gives the advantage of a large +prospect. + +_Angler._ And now, if you please, we may follow the steps of these +gentlemen riders, and descend into Ashbourne.—See, we are come to the +town, and here is the River Henmore, that runs under this stone bridge; +and this is the way to the market-place. + +_Painter._ What is there? methinks I see an ivy bush; and the sign of an +inn. + +_Angler._ That is the Talbot, and a very decent hostelry; so let us +‘_drink a glass of barley wine at the Talbot, and away_,’ after the +example of Mr. Cotton and his new friend. + +_Painter._ With all my heart. Was this Mr. Cotton’s Inn? + +_Angler._ Aye, truly. What, oh! good man, will you please to bring us a +cup of ale? + +_Painter._ Come, brother, here’s to Mr. Walton, and his adopted son, Mr. +Charles Cotton? + +_Angler._ I thank you for that pledge; and here is my loving service to +you. + +_Painter._ And now let us be gone; for since we are come into this +valley, I am all impatience to find your River Dove, which, methinks, +should be hereabouts. + +_Angler._ Not so fast, Sir; we must climb that steep hill on the other +side of the town; and after that we have some hours before we shall see +the most pleasant river in England. + +_Painter._ How! methought Ashbourne was close upon the margin of the +Dove! + +_Angler._ It is but a furlong or two off; nevertheless we have to make a +circuit before we come to that most delightful of rivers; for trust me +the road to Beresford Hall is over ‘_an odd country_.’ + +_Painter._ It was but now you promised I should see ‘such alluring +scenes, decked by Nature’s hand as to be little spots of enchantment;’ +and now you tell me I must be satisfied to see an odd country! + +_Angler._ Nay, good brother; remember how you are to exercise the +meekness and patience of an angler; and you shall confess, when you see +my Dove, that it ‘_covers the faults of the road_;’ and so let me +persuade you to breast the hill. + +_Painter._ Well, Sir, lead on; and I shall endeavour to be even with +you.—Heigho! at last we are clambered up. + +_Angler._ It was done with a gamesome spirit, worthy of an angler. + +_Painter._ But it has made me pant: and here’s a shady ash tree, so let +us rest awhile, that I may recover myself. + +_Angler._ With all my heart; and stretch our limbs on this green bank: +and I may tell you, this pretty spot is Sandy Brook.——And now, if you +are rested, let us not loiter, but hither away to the left, down by this +green lane. + +_Painter._ I am with you; but what have we here? another swift bubbling +stream, that flows over a rocky bed, and is scarce a foot deep. + +_Angler._ ’Tis Bentley Brook, that whirls hastily along to meet her +playmate, the Dove. + +_Painter._ And, by my word, a very pretty rivulet it is. + +_Angler._ I have Mr. Cotton’s authority to say, ‘_it is full of good +trouts and graylings, but so encumbered with wood in many places as is +troublesome to an angler_.’ + +_Painter._ Whereabouts does it rise? + +_Angler._ That I cannot resolve you; but you are not to wonder if the +stream comes to us, as you now see it, like to transparent crystal: for +the flowering wells of Tissington empty themselves, with a constant +freshness, into Bentley Brook. + +_Painter._ Those Tissington Wells, which are flowered on holydays by the +country folk? + +_Angler._ The same; and of a singular clearness; nay, they are more +transparent than the silvery waters of famed Sabrina, where + + ‘The shepherds, at their festivals, + ‘Carol her goodness loud in rustic lays, + ‘And throw sweet garland-wreaths into her stream, + ‘Of pancies, pinks, and gaudy daffodils;’ + +and, indeed, I have sometimes seen on Holy Thursday such dainty devices +of flowers wrought by rustical artists at Tissington, in roses, and +violets, and marygolds, and lady-smocks, as I could not but admire how +it was all contrived; and for this the country folks and shepherds +scatter themselves, some days before, in busy cheerful companies, like +bees, over the hills and down the dales, to cull their stores of wild +flowers; and every one willingly robs his garden, for a contribution to +the bowers and arbours that overhang the wells: and there they weave +them into curious inventions of mottoes and scripture texts. And when +the happy holy morning breaks, they come together to church; and after +service they walk, with their loved and loving parson at their head, in +a procession round about their ornamental wells, with music and singing +of psalms: and so they pass the rest of the day in innocent mirth and +country sports. And I may tell you, the many-coloured flowers of Dove +Dale are offered for a tribute to this calendar festival. + +_Painter._ You have made we wish and resolve to see this well-flowering, +come next Holy Thursday; and I shall love those sacred springs the +better, since they help to crystallize the waters of Bentley; for I have +not seen a more inviting brook. + +_Angler._ I will not say we shall come to clearer streams; nevertheless, +I hope we may walk and angle by some others that are as good: but +thither she hurries on her way, rejoicing and being rejoiced; and I +warrant she will find the Dove before you and I may do so. But come, +here is another hill before us, hard by Thorpe Cloud; and I’ll requite +your patience by a vernal prospect. Follow me but a step to the left, +and now what say you? + +_Painter._ Bless me, what an unusual landskip. + +_Angler._ There before you are the mountains in Staffordshire over +against Ilam; and yonder the Dove, which glides far off through the +valley by Oakover Bridge,—and after that meanders as far as Mayfield. +There you may see hill and dale, and green pastures, with their +thronging flocks and herds. Now tell me, Sir, is not merry England a +place most fit for free-hearted gentlemen to live in? And he that makes +a journey throughout the different regions of our land shall meet a +thousand vales as pleasant as this we now see: nay, some I could name +are better, where you may look on all the diversity of golden corn +fields, and pastures, and vallies and hills, rivers and plains; and +round about many fine country mansion-houses, and bright steeples, +gleaming through village-woods; and in the cities high cathedrals and +collegiate churches, more venerable and sacred by reason of their daily +appointed services and chaunts. + +_Painter._ But a man may travel some miles ere he shall light on a finer +champagne than this before us. It calls to my mind how the prophet, from +the top of Mount Pisgah, in the field of Zophim, lifted up his eyes, and +saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes, and said, +‘_How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob! and thy tabernacles, O Israel! as +the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as +the trees of lign-aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar-trees +beside the waters._’ Long may the people of Britain be holy and stedfast +in the church, and loyal to their king! then shall they resemble the +tribes of Israel, having, as it were, ‘_the strength of an unicorn; they +shall eat up the nations, their enemies, and shall break their bones, +and pierce them through with their arrows_.’ Then they shall ‘_couch, +they shall lie down like a lion, and as a great lion; who shall stir +them up_?’ Then ‘_blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he +that curseth thee_.’ But what have we here, that is like a huge conical +barrow? Let us climb to the top, that we may get a wider prospect of the +landskip. + +_Angler._ The same Thorpe Cloud you saw so towering in the distance from +Spittle Hill; but he now appears under another aspect, and before you +could scale the height you must needs descend into a deep valley which +lies between us. + +_Painter._ Say you so? I can scarce believe it; for the distance looks +to be less than a bow-shoot. + +_Angler._ It is, nevertheless, true; and yonder, to the left, is Bunster +Hill, in Staffordshire, that is like the back of a gigantic elephant: +and between these two mountains flow the happy streams of the Dove; and +that to the right hand is Black Moor: we have but two miles hence, and +then our Dove. + +_Painter._ If so, let us mend our pace; but tell me, is this the way Mr. +Cotton brought his friend? + +_Angler._ The same; and all the while he entertained him with a +discourse of the trouty rivers of his county of Derby, as, namely, the +Dove, the Wye, the Derwent, and the great Trent, that wanders through +many rich towns and forests, until it loses its name and waters in the +sea. + +_Painter._ And is all Mr. Charles Cotton’s treatise of fly-fishing in +the form of a dialogue? + +_Angler._ Aye; and full of pertinent observations and exceeding +plausibleness. + +_Painter._ Although I am willing to confess Mr. Walton’s Angler to be a +most persuasive book, because he knows how to qualify his discourse with +all kinds of graceful changes and descriptions; yet methinks Mr. Cotton +had no need to model his writings after the unusual example of a +dialogue. + +_Angler._ By your leave, not so unusual; for have you forgot the many +patterns that almost every age hath produced, of treatises, both learned +and witty, in the form of colloquies? Let me bring to your mind that +most subtle and philosophic dialogue, the ‘Symposiac, or Banquet’ of +_Plato_, the most learned of the Grecians, wherein his master, +_Socrates_, is made to discourse with a wisdom that seemed to be a +scintillation of divine truth. And not only Plato’s ‘Banquet,’ but his +‘Alcibiades,’ and others, so full of invincible arguments in support of +virtue, as charmed the understanding of that age. + +_Painter._ Well, if you will go back to ancient times, there are Tully’s +five days’ disputations at his retired Tusculan villa with Marcus +Brutus, where he persuades his hearers by the most notable arguments to +the contempt of death. + +_Angler._ And what say you of that banquet of _Xenophon_, at the +Athenian festival of Minerva? for he gives us to understand how, after +the show was finished, as he walked out of the city, he fell in with +_Socrates_ and others, discoursing together, and invited them civilly to +supper; which they accepted, and went with him to his house at Piræus. + +_Painter._ I remember; and there they entertained each other with +learned and profitable conversation. + +_Angler._ But neither the philosophy of _Socrates_ and _Plato_, nor the +eloquence of _Tully_, could match with that exalted wisdom of the +apostolic fathers and doctors, who have delivered to the Church the most +clear interpretations of holy writ. And some of them unlocked the +boundless treasures of celestial truth, and pointed the way to heaven, +through the shadowings and darkness of error, by the medium of +colloquies. As Hermas (who was the friend of St. Paul, that great +apostle of the Gentiles) in his ‘Pastor or Shepherd.’ + +_Painter._ Have not some learned men of our times, and, indeed, of the +ancient fathers, questioned the authority of that book of Hermas? + +_Angler._ I may not deny that the cautious judgments of some are yet +divided upon it: but Irenæus, Origen, and others, have pronounced it to +be ‘a very profitable book,’ and it was appointed to be read in many of +the earliest christian churches. + +_Painter._ I believe it is true, that Hermas was the friend of St. Paul, +and is thought to have sealed his holy life by a glorious martyrdom. + +_Angler._ And it is certain his book was composed in the form of a +dialogue: for he declares how, when he had prayed at home, and was sat +down upon the bed, an old man came to him in the habit of a shepherd, +clothed with a white cloak, having his bag upon his back, and his staff +in his hand, and saluted him; and thereupon they most lovingly conversed +together: for the shepherd instructed him what things he was to avoid, +and what good works to perform, that he might be saved. + +_Painter._ And what followed? + +_Angler._ Then Hermas, from time to time, questioned the holy shepherd +with a modest confidence, and asked an explanation of many sublime +points of our belief, that were then to him an incomprehensible mystery, +all which the accostable stranger revealed to him, speaking with +authority and wisdom: and so they continued to discourse, until the +pastor rose up and departed.[15] + +Again I will put you in mind how, in a later age of the church, holy +Justin Martyr records a most learned and spiritual dialogue, which he +held at Ephesus with one Trypho, a Jew, wherein he sets forth his own +first blessed conversion to Christianity. For, having in vain sought +after the knowledge of the true God in the schools of the Stoics and +Peripatetics, and found them to be unsatisfying to the high desires of +his soul, he gave himself up to solitude and meditation: and, in one of +his retired walks on the sea-shore, meeting with an aged person of a +mild and reverend aspect, he entered into a conversation with him. Then +he told the stranger how fervent a zeal was kindled in his breast to +come to a perfect intelligence of the nature of God, and so fell to a +commendation of the study of philosophy. Whereupon the venerable Trypho +endeavoured to cure him of his ignorant admiration of _Plato_ and +_Pythagoras_, and exhorted him to an examination of the writings of the +Hebrew prophets, as being more ancient than any of those heathen +philosophers; and by his admonitions and clear arguments he opened to +him the joyful knowledge of the sacred mysteries of Christianity. Above +all things, he persuaded him to pray that the beams of heavenly light +might shine on his benighted soul; for that the truths of the Gospel +must be spiritually discerned through the power of God. + +_Painter._ Did Justin continue his acquaintance with the stranger, whose +calm and meek way of discoursing had persuaded him to a better judgment +of divine things? + +_Angler._ After that first meeting he never saw him again; but he was +stirred with a holy desire to attain a more familiar knowledge of the +prophets, and his wishes soared up on high; and at last he was convinced +that he had all along wandered in darkness, and that the Holy Scriptures +contained the only true philosophy. + +_Painter._ All this brings to my recollection some other examples of +books composed after the form of conversations: as namely, Petrarch’s +imaginary dialogues between himself and Augustine, where the saint +endeavours to withdraw the poet from the willing thraldom of his love +for Laura, and to persuade him to the study of wisdom, as alone capable +to bestow true liberty: and, again, the facetious Colloquia of Erasmus, +so full of wit and biting satire; and the ‘Anatomie of Abuses whipped +and stripped,’ by the precise Mr. Stubbes, proceeding from his own +dogmatical whimsies. + +_Angler._ Then, forget not the three books of colloquies, on the art of +shooting in great and small pieces of artillerie, written in Italian by +Nicholas Tartaglia.[16] And again, that royal dialogue of riding the +great horse, composed in the French tongue, by Monsieur Antoine +Pluvinel;[17] and I can declare it to be a most courteous, gentle, and +ingenious conversation between the young King Louis, the Duke of +Bellegarde, and Monsieur Antoine himself. With what a rare eloquence +does he commend and teach the art of making demivoltes, cabrioes, and +courbettes, with all the other graceful motions on horseback, most fit +for gentlemen of quality! + +_Painter._ And his book is adorned with excellent copper cuts by Crispin +Pass, the ingenious engraver of those living effigies of the HERÖOLOGIA. + +_Angler._ The same: but I forbear all further mention of dialogues, +except a little book I lately saw at the house of an ingenious and +modest friend, dwelling in Chancery-lane, in London, who is a constant +lover of Mr. Walton and his art of angling, and endeared to many of his +professed disciples; and hath been so exact and skilful a promoter of +letters, as to be called ALDI DISCIPULUS ANGLUS, as witness the sign of +the Dolphin and Anchor, engraved on the title of his imprinted books, +after the fashion of Aldus Manutius. And because he has a happy fortune +in the discovery of ancient books, you may find at his house a store of +all kinds. It was a few days before my last departure from London, I +made him a visit, when he conducted me into his parlour, to show me his +little cabinet of rarities: and there, after some cheerful conversation +on fishing, when I told him I purposed my summer travels to the Dove, he +presented me with a letter writ by Mr. Cotton to his ‘_dear and worthy +father_,’ Mr. Izaak Walton. + +_Painter._ Indeed! and I dare believe you treasured it up with your many +other written epistles of noted men in your study at home. + +_Angler._ Pardon me; I have made it my companion here in my wallet; and +some day I will indulge you with the reading of it, when you are worthy, +and put on better thoughts of anglers. But to return to the book I told +you of; it is an ancient discourse ‘_Of the Nature of_ GOD,’ which the +writer calls ‘a little treatise of a great argument.’ + +_Painter._ The argument was great indeed, and I beseech you proceed to +your account of it. + +_Angler._ The work was writ by the learned, pious and painful Bishop of +Durham (Morton), who made Dr. Donne the offer of his own benefice, if he +would be persuaded to enter into Holy Orders, and so become ‘_an +Ambassador for the God of glory; that God, who, by a vile death opened +the gates of life to mankind_:’ and it is fit to tell you that I set the +greater store by this book, because I am convinced Mr. Walton hath taken +a pleasure in the perusal of it, insomuch as to make the opening chapter +of his COMPLETE ANGLER after that model. It is a conversation betwixt a +gentleman and a scholar, who were travelling on horseback from the +north, by the same road, to the city of York; and thus it begins— + +‘_Gentleman._[18] Well overtaken, Sir. + +‘_Scholar._ You are welcome, gentleman. + +‘_Gentleman._ No great gentleman, Sir, but one that wisheth well to all +that mean well: I pray you how far do you travel this way? + +‘_Scholar._ As far as York. + +‘_Gentleman._ I would be glad if I might have your company thither. + +‘_Scholar._ And I, if my company might stand you in any stead.’ + +Thereupon ensued a gentle and most ingenious conversation: and they +argued the mysterious matter of the omnipotency and incomprehensible +greatness of God, to their mutual contentment and confirmation in the +truth, until they came to Newcastle, where the scholar’s little nag +would scarce hold foot with the strong gelding of the gentleman; and so +they put up at some honest house where the scholar was acquainted, and +were both heartily welcome, ‘and honestly used for their money.’ And +there we will leave them to their entertainment and rest,—and cross this +meadow of buttercups. + +_Painter._ You have angled me on, and beguiled the way with these +colloquies most pleasantly; for we have walked some miles, and I +heartily thank you. + +_Angler._ Look, Sir; now you have a view of some rocks before you in a +little distance; there are the steep declivities overhanging the other +side of the Dove, which is at a great depth below. A few steps more,—and +we are come to Hanson Grange. + +_Painter._ It is a pretty sequestered spot; and the house stands on the +very brow of the cliff, which is ornamented with wood; and I hope we are +arrived at Dove Dale. + +_Angler._ Have patience: not yet, Sir;—this is Nab’s Dale: but turn +again this way to the right, for there is Hanson Toot. And look, yonder +is the church at Alstonfields; and, I beseech you; deny me not the +contrivance of a picture. + +_Painter._ I’ll do it cheerfully; and the hills array themselves to an +advantage. What a general harmony is in the works of nature! Here, by a +few lines, with seeming carelessness put together, even those bleak and +craggy hills are made to the congruity and order of beauty; and the +aspect of the church on the hill is pretty for a distance. + +_Angler._ And when you are come there, you shall find a retired village, +and a decent house of entertainment; where we may have supper and a +clean bed. + +_Painter._ Was it there _Piscator_ cheered his companion after his +journey? + +_Angler._ Not so: for Mr. Cotton conducted him to his handsome seat at +Beresford, and there you may believe he made amends, as he promised to +do, for bringing him ‘_an ill mile or two out of his way_;’ for he gave +him a hearty welcome; and after that they made no strangers of each +other, but with good Moorland ale and a pipe of tobacco passed an hour +or two in conversation before they went to bed. + +_Painter._ And I am ready to do the same; so let us be going, for there +is my poor copy of Alstonfields church. + +_Angler._ It is the church itself, and those distant hills, that stand +behind it with a natural gloom. Come on, Sir. + +_Painter._ Gently, so please you; and let me take care of myself down +these slippery stones. How the path winds and turns in a zig-zag! I +shall tumble ere I get to the bottom. + +_Angler._ Never fear, Sir! never fear; every slippery stone and every +step of the way has a charm for me; for here it was Mr. Cotton travelled +with his friend, who was in a strange taking as he crept or slided down. + +_Painter._ And well he might be, for it is an uncouth precipice: it is +the land of break-neck. + +_Angler._ A little steep, I grant you; but come on, for methinks we are +near ‘_the sign of a bridge_,’ which is so narrow, _Viator_ thought it +was fit only for wheelbarrows, and declared he was inclinable to ‘_go +over on all fours_:’ so look out. + +_Painter._ Nay, Sir; but to look out for any thing beyond my footing, is +more than man can do in such a ribble rabble place as this. + +_Angler._ Come, brother, give over this complaining: for, look you, +there is the ‘_wheelbarrow bridge_;’ and listen to the river below. How +the noise of her waters falls on mine ear like the voice of melody! +Welcome, crystal Dove; for we purpose to cast away some innocent hours +in thy cool recesses. + + ‘Oh my beloved nymph, fair Dove, + ‘Princess of rivers, how I love + ‘Upon thy flowery banks to lie, + ‘And view the silver stream + ‘When gilded by a summer’s beam! + ‘And in it all thy wanton fry + ‘Playing at liberty; + ‘And with my angle upon them + ‘The all of treachery + ‘I ever learn’d industriously to try.’[19] + +_Painter._ Now we are safely down; and the river rustles merrily under +the bridge, crisping itself into foam. And what hamlet is yonder, on the +Staffordshire side, with a cheerful mill? + +_Angler._ That is Mill Dale, and there lies the road to Alstonfields. + +_Painter._ Let us be forward; for the sun sinks down apace, + + ‘Bidding farewell unto the gloomy sky.’ + +_Angler._ Stay a while: if you have any affection for me, you will not +pass by this enchanting glen, and leave me no record. Look again—see how +the evening gleams linger over the tops of the mountains. I beseech you, +sit on ‘_this broad stone_,’ and draw me a picture. + +_Painter._ This landskip needs a better hand than mine to give the +natural fall of the rocks, and throw that bridge and the mill into a +deep perspective. + +_Angler._ You are too modest; so pr’ythee begin, and I’ll sit by your +side, and repeat you some pastoral verses composed by famed Sir Walter +Raleigh. + +_Painter._ Come, then, tune your voice to the air. + + ‘And loudly sing a roundelay of love.’ + +_Angler._ Shall I give you ‘_Phillida’s love-call to her Coridon, and +his replying_?’ + +_Painter._ Aye, do so. + +_Angler._ [sings.] + + ‘Coridon, arise my Coridon.’ + +_Painter._ Sing, I pray you, boldly, that the rocks may answer with an +echo. + +_Angler._ I’ll do my best; for the Pastoral is worthy, and full of an +innocent love. Let me see if I can remember me how it runs. [_sings._]— + + PHILLIDA’S LOVE-CALL TO HER CORIDON, AND HIS REPLYING. + + _Phil._ Coridon, arise, my Coridon, + Titan shineth clear. + + _Cor._ Who is it that calleth Coridon? + Who is it that I hear? + + _Phil._ Phillida, thy true love calleth thee; + Arise then, arise then; + Arise, and keep thy flock with me. + + _Cor._ Phillida, my true love, is it she? + I come then, I come then; + I come to keep my flock with thee. + + _Phil._ Here are cherries ripe for my Coridon; + Eat them for my sake. + + _Cor._ Here’s my oaten pipe, my lovely one, + Sport for thee to make. + + _Phil._ Here are threads, my true love, fine as silk, + To knit thee, to knit thee + A pair of stockings as white as milk. + + _Cor._ Here are reeds, my true love, fine and neat, + To make thee, to make thee + A bonnet to withstand the heat. + + _Phil._ I will gather flowers, my Coridon, + To set in thy cap. + + _Cor._ I will gather pears, my lovely one, + To put in thy lap. + + _Phil._ I will buy my true love garters gay, + For Sundays, for Sundays, + To wear about his legs so tall. + + _Cor._ I will buy my true love yellow sey,[20] + For Sundays, for Sundays, + To wear about her middle small. + + _Phil._ When my Coridon sits on a hill, + Making melody. + + _Cor._ When my lovely goes to her wheel, + Singing cheerily. + + _Phil._ Surely, methinks, my true love doth excel, + For sweetness, for sweetness, + Our Pan, that old Arcadian knight. + + _Cor._ And, methinks my true love bears the bell, + For clearness, for clearness, + Beyond the nymphs that be so bright. + + _Phil._ Had my Coridon, my Coridon, + Been, alack! my swain: + + _Cor._ Had my lovely one, my lovely one, + Been in Ida plain: + + _Phil._ Cynthia Endymion had refus’d, + Preferring, preferring + My Coridon to play with-all. + + _Cor._ The Queen of Love had been excused, + Bequeathing, bequeathing + My Phillida the golden ball. + + _Phil._ Yonder comes my mother, Coridon! + Whither shall I fly? + + _Cor._ Under yon beach, my lovely one, + While she passeth by. + + _Phil._ Say to her thy true love was not here. + Remember, remember, + To-morrow is another day. + + _Cor._ Doubt me not, my true love; do not fear: + Farewell, then, farewell then. + Heaven keep our loves alway. + +_Painter._ Thank you, thank you; that is a well-tuned gladsome pastoral, +and as well sung as it is composed; and I will now confess, this walk to +the Dove, and the freshness of the Derbyshire hills, and, above all, the +ingenious delight you take in following Mr. Cotton’s footsteps, have put +new thoughts into my mind. There is the best picture I can make for you; +but I am not a limner to fix those intricate lights and shadows that +flit from one rock to another with the passing clouds. + +_Angler._ Truly, Sir, it could not be better composed; and now let us +towards Alstonfields, and over the wheelbarrow bridge. + +_Painter._ With all my heart: but not ‘_on all fours_.’ Observe how the +water hurries away, rippling over the rocky bed. + +_Angler._ Ah! saw you that, Sir? + +_Painter._ I saw nothing: what was it? + +_Angler._ It was a hungry trout rose at a fly: now, by your leave, I +must have the delight to try my poor skill in the Dove. That trout has +transported me beyond discretion. + +_Painter._ You have my permission; so fix your tackling and go to work. + +_Angler._ There again: did you not see him rise? + +_Painter._ I saw him not. + +_Angler._ Well, then, if I have any luck, you shall see him by supper +time at Alstonfields. + +_Painter._ I wish you good sport with all my heart, and do you call me +if you chance to hook him; meantime I’ll contrive another sketch of +these glades and rocks. + +_Angler._ Do not forget to make the Dove a part of your picture. + +_Painter._ And remember, you have promised to requite me with a good +trout for supper. + +_Angler._ I said a brace. + +_Painter._ Better and better; so farewell, and good luck go with thee.—— + +_Angler._ ——Halloo! + +_Painter._ How now, Brother Piscator? + +_Angler._ Hoi! quickly,—that you may partake of the delights of angling: +here is a heavy fish, and my line being slender give me the net. + +_Painter._ Nay, I beseech you, let me land him, that I may have the +honour of a helping hand with our first trout in the Dove. + +_Angler._ You shall, and welcome too; but manage him with discretion. + +_Painter._ Trust me: I’m ready—haul him now to the bank; ah, me! he’s +gone away again: he was desperate. + +_Angler._ Fear not, I have him safe: I but play with him; see, he begins +to tire; and now you may take him: gently, gently—so, ’twas bravely +netted. + +_Painter._ Do but look how his belly and sides are spotted with bright +red spots. + +_Angler._ It is a goodly fish; but I must give you a brace: and there +was another rise under the further bank; wait a moment, and he is mine. + +_Painter._ Then I’ll call you a master of your art, and since you have +entertained me with the pleasure of this trout, I’ll go finish my +picture of the Dove, for it is worth all my little skill in +drawing.——So; how is it with you? + +_Angler._ Here is the brace of trouts I promised you. + +_Painter._ You are as good as your word. And I have not been idle. + +_Angler._ I thank you; they are the very rocks and my Dove; and here is +the bridge and, I declare, two anglers landing a trout! So hither away +for Alstonfields with merry hearts; + + ‘There roast him and baste him with good claret wine, + ‘For the calvor’d boyl’d trout will make thee to dine + ‘With dainty contentment.’[21] + +_Painter._ Step on, brother, for you cannot desire to be at supper more +than I do; and now we have trudged up the hill, and are come to the +church we saw from Hanson Toot, on the other side. + +_Angler._ And there is the ‘honest alehouse’ I told you of—and see, mine +host standing under the porch, ready to welcome loyal travellers to the +‘King’s Head.’ + +_Painter._ Kept by ‘_Herbert Marsh_’—for there’s his name printed in +large underneath. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + + + CHAPTER II. + _A Conference at Supper between the_ Angler, _the_ Painter, _and the_ + Host. + + + _Angler._ + +How do you, Mr. Marsh? + +_Host._ Gentlemen, your servant at command. + +_Painter._ Can we have good entertainment and clean beds at your house? + +_Host._ Sir! we shall do our utmost to give you satisfaction: and for +beds, I may say there are not better in the Peak, with ‘sheets laid up +in lavender.’ What, ho! boy, take these gentlemen’s fish pannier and +angle rods. Will it please you, Sirs, to walk into the parlour? + +_Angler._ It is well; and the sooner you can make ready for supper the +better pleased we shall be; for we have walked all the way from Derby; +and here is a brace of trouts: but look you, Mr. Marsh, one condition I +would make, and that is, you dress them according to a fancy I have. + +_Host._ Sir, you shall be obeyed; nevertheless we have a notable method +for boiling a trout or grayling in these parts, that I never knew to +displease any anglers. + +_Angler._ But if you know not the manner recommended by Mr. Cotton, who +lives at Beresford Hall, I shall not be persuaded to think them +skilfully done. + +_Host._ Sir, I am now your most humble servant, and willing to dress +these trouts according to your wishes, seeing you approve the method of +noble Mr. Cotton. + +_Painter._ Then you know Mr. Charles Cotton, of Beresford Hall? + +_Host._ That, Sir, by your leave, I should do, and know him well too; +for I was a servant in the family when his right honourable father lived +at the hall, of whom only this I may declare, he was loved and esteemed +for his gentle qualities of nature by the late most learned Lord +Chancellor[22] of Oxford and England, and was united with him in the +same bold and generous zeal for the service of the late king, of pious +memory: and I was the first that taught Mr. Charles Cotton, in his happy +youthful days, to fish in the River Dove, when he was a mere schoolboy, +and to mew and cast and lure his falcon-gentles, and all manner of +hawks. And since that time he has often had me to a day’s fishing with +him, and by his native condescension makes me find myself at ease in his +company, notwithstanding my humble conditions. + +_Angler._ Indeed! then I may tell you this gentleman and myself have +come all the way from Derby, and some miles beyond that, to find his +fishing-house, and to spend a day or two angling in the vallies of the +Dove. + +_Host._ You are not the first gentlemen by many, that have done this; +and you will not think your labour lost when you have seen the +Fishing-house; for that it is a wonderful ingenious place, and most +skilfully adorned, no person, who has seen it, can deny. But will you be +pleased to sit down in these elbow chairs, and rest yourselves till the +trouts are ready. + +_Painter._ Willingly: for I could not walk another Derbyshire mile, if +it were to purchase a king’s ransom. And now, Mr. Marsh, I pray you, +look to the supper, that it be served quickly, for we are nigh famished. + +_Angler._ And remember to give the trouts ‘_three scotches with a +knife_.’ + +_Host._ Aye, Sir, ‘_and to the bone on one side only_.’ I go to see it +done as you desire.—— + +_Angler._ Did you observe, brother, how this honest host, for such I +doubt not he is, took up the words of Mr. Cotton? You may depend he hath +read the ‘_Instructions how to angle for a trout or grayling in a clear +stream._’ We are like to pass a pleasant evening here at Alstonfields, +and to learn more of Mr. Cotton, and of his ‘_pretty moorland seat_’ +than we had any hope to do when we began our journey. What a neat +parlour is here, and the boards all sanded over! + +_Painter._ And see how mine host has garnish’t out his walls with little +pictures; here’s the history of Judith, and Susanna, and Daniel in the +lion’s den; and the furniture not amiss; the oaken cabinet, and tables +polished like a mirror. + +_Angler._ And here are books in the window; look you, Fox’s Book of +Martyrs, and Bishop Taylor’s ‘Holy Living and Dying;’ and here before +all other books, is the GREAT BIBLE,[23] that King James caused to be +translated out of the Hebrew and Greek tongues by those _forty-seven_ +most pious and learned divines of our holy church, thereby opening to +the people of these realms those fountains of living waters, more +precious than rivers of gold; for he that thirsteth after them in an +honest and believing heart, shall hear THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, +‘=Come; let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take +of the water of life freely=.’[24] Happy were they to be chosen—thrice +happy to unlock and deliver to all ages the mysterious treasures of +God’s Holy Word. Of these I may not forget charitable Dr. Launcelot +Andrewes. + +_Painter._ He that refused to be consecrated a bishop, because he would +not be persuaded to give a helping hand in the spoil of the +ecclesiastical revenues. + +_Angler._ Nor less happy in this surpassing work was Dr. Adrian Saravia, +of so sweet a nature, and dispositions so notable, that he was joined to +Mr. Hooker in a bosom friendship, which was only ended by death, when +that judicious champion of our church thought himself happy to die in +the arms of him he loved with so confiding a love. + +_Painter._ This gift to his people of the English Bible was indeed a +‘ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΟΝ ΔΟΡΟΝ’ worthy of a king,[25] and seeing these books of our +host, I am more inclined to entertain good thoughts of him: but here he +comes. + +_Angler._ And the supper too. You have lost no time, Mr. Marsh. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, I hope you may find it to be as well done as quickly, +for that is what I desired; and I have spared nothing to make them to +your taste, even to the ‘_little handsome faggot of rosemary, thyme, and +winter savory_,’ that Mr. Cotton bids us ‘_throw into the liquor_.’ + +_Angler._ Well then, let us say grace for these mercies we have, and now +fall to it. Come, this is excellent, and, as I profess myself to be an +angler, I have not tasted trouts more seasonable:—Apicius himself could +not have desired them more daintily dressed. + +_Host._ Sir, I am glad you find them to your liking. + +_Angler._ And now, what say you of your barley wine? + +_Host._ Sir, it is well known how the Staffordshire ale is the best in +England, or as good as any; and though I would not be thought a +braggart, I may say that mine is second to none in the county. + +_Angler._ Then bring us a good flagon; for I long to drink Mr. Cotton’s +health in a full cup at Alstonfields:—Now brother. + +_Painter._ With all my heart—here’s to Mr. Cotton. + +_Angler._ Mr. Cotton, the dear friend of Mr. Izaak Walton! + +_Host._ Sirs, I thank you for your kind thoughts towards my master, and +there is not a worthier gentleman lives than Mr. Cotton; and may I be so +bold to ask how you find our Staffordshire ale? + +_Angler._ It is excellent, and no lack of malt in’t. + +_Host._ And now, Gentlemen, here is meat, with a fresh sallet; and my +good dame has prepared some confections, and tossed a sweet pancake. + +_Angler._ This mutton is as good as your ale. + +_Painter._ It is all excellent; thanks to you and our good hostess: +‘small cheer and great welcome make a merry feast;’ but you are liberal +with both: and now we have finished our supper, what say you, brother, +have you an inclination to a pipe? + +_Angler._ I am nothing loath. + +_Painter._ And I’m for another jug of that nappy ale, if you do not fear +it. + +_Angler._ I fear nothing in your discreet company: so, Mr. Marsh, bring +us pipes, and some more of your Staffordshire ale, and let there be a +toast and sugar in’t, with a little spice of nutmeg. + +_Painter._ Aye, aye, and a race or two of ginger. + +_Host._ Sirs, it shall be as you desire; and with all diligence.—— —— + +_Angler._ And now, brother, what think you of our host? + +_Painter._ In sooth, a modest, well-spoken man, with a decent composure +of carriage; not like some of your would-be-witty tapsters, that have ‘a +finger in all trades, and an oar in every man’s boat.’ + +_Angler._ And that is my opinion of him; and so, when he returns, if you +stand not on scruples, let us invite him to sit with us awhile; for I +would ask him some questions about Mr. Cotton and his fishing-house.—— + +_Host._ Gentlemen, here is a tankard of spiced ale, with pipes, and the +best tobacco I have. + +_Angler._ I doubt not the quality of your tobacco, but I always carry my +own; and now, Mr. Marsh, if you will give us the pleasure of your +conversation awhile, and smoke a pipe from my box, you shall be heartily +welcome. + +_Host._ Sirs, I humbly thank you; but I pray you to excuse me: I would +not be thought to grow presumptuous because you are pleased to be +familiar. + +_Painter._ Nay, Mr. Marsh, stay not on a punctilio; we would have your +company, if it be only to drink Mr. Cotton’s good health; and here’s my +Virginia, so fill your pipe. + +_Angler._ One cup to the noble master of Beresford: pr’ythee be seated, +Mr. Marsh. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, since you desire me this honour, I shall obey as I +ought, and heartily thank you.——Sirs, I make bold to drink your health, +wishing you all possible pleasure hereabouts on the banks of the Dove, +and good success with your angle rods. + +_Painter._ It promises so many natural beauties, that I expect to find +it as pleasant a river as I have seen. + +_Angler._ Say the pleasantest of all, good brother. + +_Painter._ First let me see the fishing-house; and then, perhaps, I may +be brought to join in your opinion. Shall we be permitted to visit that +spot? + +_Host._ Doubt it not, Sir: you that have read Mr. Cotton’s second part +of the COMPLETE ANGLER, may readily believe how he inclines to Gentlemen +fishers, seeing he has therein clearly depicted his own likeness; for I +may declare to you my master has an alluring suavity and a singular +freedom of spirit. Therefore he will never refuse a liberty to civil +strangers, to see his fishing-house: indeed, I have known him to send +his servants to the river, with meat and ale for their refreshment; or +sometimes, if they be anglers, invite them to the house. And it was +after this manner the first accidental rudiments of that friendship +sprung up betwixt himself and brave Colonel Richard Lovelace. I remember +he found that gentleman to be endowed with such a ripeness of wit, and +zeal for the king’s cause, that he persuaded him to a long forgetfulness +of his intended journey to London, and then was so unwilling to lose his +conversation and company, that he made an occasion to go to Ashbourne, +that he might conduct him so far on horseback by Hanson Toot and +Bentley.[26] + +_Angler._ I have heard say that Colonel Lovelace was afterwards, in his +distress, a constant partaker of Mr. Cotton’s open and generous +disposition. + +_Host._ Alas! Sir, his disposition is over generous for his fortunes; +and it is famous in all the Peak, that Mr. Cotton is now detained from +Beresford against his desires, lest his enemies should incommode him. + +_Angler._ Say not so: I would not have it true, that a gentleman of so +high a candour and of such worth should be an exile from his estates. + +_Host._ Were it other than true, I should indeed be happy: he has none +but friends in all this country, unless it be some remnant of those +injurious and rank weeds that sprung up through the Commonweal under the +late tyranny. He is of a clear courage, like his noble father; and both +manifested a constant loyalty for the king, during the frenzy of those +rugged times. + +_Painter._ It may be this brought against him a part of his present +cares. + +_Host._ Alas, it did that; for it is a known truth how the estate was +encumber’d on his Majesty’s behalf: and indeed my master showed himself +to be a loving subject in those sad distractions, when there was a +danger so much as to be thought of the royal party. And another great +charge was to enrich his house and grounds with all manner of curious +ornamental art, in so much that they be noted in these parts for a +garden of devices. And some of our chiefest nobility think themselves +happy in Mr. Cotton’s friendship; as Lord Jermayne, and the most noble +Earl of Devonshire,[27] who lives in his stately mansion at Chatsworth, +and permits a familiarity with him; nay, I have seen them practise with +foils in our great Hall, and notwithstanding the Earl has the longer arm +and is esteemed a very dextrous fencer, he cannot, with all his +_parries_, defend himself against Mr. Cotton’s _counterpoint_ and +skilful _disengagements_. + +_Painter._ I pray you, what age is Mr. Charles Cotton? + +_Host._ Sir, Mr. Cotton was born forty-seven years, gone the 28th of +last month: but he is yet in the morning and flower of his life; and to +look at him you might believe him to be less than forty, by reason of +his youthful carriage and comeliness; and when he converses with his +inferiors, such as myself and others, who have the happiness to call him +our master, the sweetness of his discourse and his discreet familiarity +expels every fear. And then, Sir! if you could see him, (as I have +often,) in his suit of slashed velvet, or rich taffeta, you would be +sure he was bred at court; indeed, he is notable for his comportment and +alluring person. Nevertheless, I have sometimes seen him transported +beyond his usual behaviour: and I cannot help me from smiling at a story +of himself, I have heard him relate to his friends. + +_Angler._ I beseech you let us have it. + +_Host._ Well, Sir! you are to know Mr. Cotton will sometimes have +a slight hindrance in his speech; and so on a time he found a +stout beggar that sat under the great yew tree, near to the door +of the Hall; whereupon he asked him, with an hesitation, +‘What—d-dost—d-do—here—f-friend?’—Now it chanced the beggar had +the same infirmity of speech with noble Mr. Cotton, but greater; +so he began to stammer in his answering, and make wry words and +looks; upon this, Mr. Cotton, thinking he mocked at him, seized +the man on a sudden, and declared he was a sturdy rogue, and he +would teach him his manners, and have him put in the flocks. +Thereupon the other, in his fright, could not but stut the more, +seeing how obnoxious he was to so fine a gentleman; till at length +Mr. Cotton, finding it to be a real entanglement in the fellow’s +speech, was all at once mollified, and did humbly ask pardon for +his first severity; and after that fell a laughing, and with +pleasant persuasions called him into his house, and feasted him +there, till the beggar thought himself as g-great as a L-Lord. + +_Painter._ Ah! ha! ha! a mighty pleasant story. + +_Angler._ I dare to think the beggar was not the only guest at the Hall +that has tasted of Mr. Cotton’s good cheer. + +_Host._ Sir, you are right; and I well remember, when my master resolved +to build the fishing-house, and that Prospect Tower, that you shall see +to-morrow, he engaged a master architect from the town of Nottingham, to +see that the stone-work was skilfully managed. This was Mr. Lancelot +Rolston,[28] a man of solid abilities, and instructed in many arts; and +because he was of a fertile wit, and withal a brother of the angle, Mr. +Cotton held him to be, as he always proved himself, a brave gentleman +and a scholar, and after a time, entered into a familiarity with him, +which hath continued to this day:—but Sirs,—I humbly ask your pardon;—I +would not be thought to venture myself on your civility, nor take too +much of the conversation. + +_Painter._ Trust me, we think ourselves happy in these testimonies of +Mr. Cotton; but see, the ale tarries with you; so fill your cup, and let +us hear further of Mr. Rolston. + +_Host._ Well then, Sir, as I told you, that architect was often +persuaded by Mr. Cotton to come to him at Beresford; and I cannot doubt +was largely rewarded; and this was only reasonable, seeing he was a +famous man in these parts, and above all a delicate limner. And so it +happened on a time, when he came all the way from Nottingham to give +order for the works, that Mr. Cotton greatly desired his company one day +more at Beresford, that he might finish some landskip pictures in the +fishing-house. This the other could not do with convenience to himself, +at that time; therefore he asked leave to be gone after dinner. But Mr. +Cotton did so entertain his guest with good wine, and better +conversation, that the architect forgot, or would not care for his +journey, until the night was come. Then Mr. Cotton told him how there +was no moonlight, and he might chance to break his neck between this and +Ashbourne, whither his occasions called him, and endeavoured to persuade +him it would be more prudent to take his bed at the Hall, and promised +he might depart early the next morning. But the other declared he was +able to find his way by Hanson Toot and Bentley Brook, though he were +hoodwinked. + +Well, Sirs, Mr. Cotton seeing him bent on his dark journey, secretly +desired his servants should bring one of his own horses from the stable; +and when the architect mounted into his saddle with alacrity, not seeing +how he had another man’s jennet, Mr. Cotton wished him a good journey at +the gate with a secret mirthful composure. And so the other got to +Ashbourne and slept at the Talbot Inn; and on the morrow, when the +hostler brought him the nag, how was he then astonished to find he had +not his own beast; and declared the man was not awake to give him such a +sorry jade. Then the other humbly disabused him, and said, he knew the +horse these many a year, for it was noble Mr. Cotton’s at Beresford +Hall. + +_Angler._ Bravely done: and what followed? + +_Host._ Then the architect began unwillingly to perceive how my master +had served him this facetious turn; and because the exchange was not to +his advantage, he considered it was best for him to come again to +Beresford; and so he did, as Mr. Cotton hoped he would: then they +laughed together at the innocent fraud thus put upon him, and Mr. +Rolston, being in a happy mood, set his thoughts to work, and painted +all that day, and the day after, in the fishing-house, and contrived +some natural imitations of the rocks and other prospects thereabouts. + +_Angler._ Excellent! + +_Painter._ I doubt not the limnings are traced with a dextrous freedom. + +_Host._ Aye, truly; and some ornaments of his workmanship are there, +which I hope to make you welcome to, more worthy than the landskips: for +it chanced in the last summer, when Mr. Izaak Walton passed some +peaceful days at Beresford, this artist rode thither from Nottingham; +and nothing would content my master, but he must have Mr. Walton’s +portraiture, painted from the life in colours on the pannel of the +beaufet, opposite to the mantel in the fishing-house. But Mr. Rolston +declared, with many protestations, he was not skilful painter enough for +such endeavours. Thereupon a friendly contest arose between all three; +for Mr. Walton liked not the motion, and was so modest as to insist that +the fishing-house should be better graced with the picture of Mr. Cotton +himself, who was the happy inventor of it. Nevertheless my master would, +for this time, have his pleasure, and did entreat Mr. Walton to sit with +an angler’s professed patience, and suffer Mr. Rolston to paint his +likeness; and moreover, he promised he would read them a book and +converse the while. And then he opened the beaufet, and said gaily; Now, +Sir, can you resist the temptation of ‘_The Shepheards’ Oracles, +delivered in certain Eglogues, by Francis Quarles_?’ Whereupon Mr. +Walton replied, There you touch me nearly, and I promise to sit and +listen quietly, if you will be pleased to read aloud _Canonicus’_, the +Shepheard’s, reproofs against the scismatical _Anarchus_. That will I, +(then my master said,) but first I crave leave to entertain Mr. Rolston +with your friend John Marriott’s address to the Reader; and he will not +think it the less ingenious when I make bold to declare that some other +pen than the Printer’s (then he looked with a meaning at Mr. Walton) +hath touched the description of Francis Quarles, as he ‘walked down +towards the brook, furnished with all proper angle rods, lines, and +flyes.’ + +_Angler._ I remember, he fell in with some Arcadian shepheardesses, +keeping the festival of their great god Pan. Would I could repeat it, +for it is a sparkling allegory, especially suitable to all fishermen. + +_Host._ Sir, I have the book itself, locked up in this cabinet. + +_Angler._ Indeed! then, I beseech you, let us look into it, that my +brother may judge whether or no Mr. Walton had a hand in the composition +of that address to the Reader. + +_Host._ Sir, here it is. + +_Angler._ The ‘SHEPHEARDS’ ORACLES:’[29] and look, brother, at this +significant frontispiece, engraved by W. M.; there is the tree of the +Church, that a mixed close-cropped rabble of schismatics are picking and +digging at, if by any means they may uproot it from the earth. And there +is that man of a tub who has pierced through and through the books of +the Liturgy and the Canons: and the Jesuit, with his Roman knife, +stripping the bark. But our late pious king, with his sword and sceptre, +makes a rout of them, whilst the careful Bishop holds the loved tree in +his embrace, and nurtures the roots with the waters of sound doctrine. + +_Painter._ And from above the sword of the Spirit invincibly spread out +to protect His church, as if to say, ‘_I will contend with him that +contends with thee, and I will save thy children_.’[30] But for the +Printer’s address? + +_Angler._ Listen. — — — After some notice of the lamented death of +Francis Quarles, the reader is ‘_requested to fancy that the author was +walking a gentle pace on a summer’s morning towards a brook, not far +distant from his peaceful habitation, fitted with angle, lines, and +flyes, proper for the fruitful month of May, intending all diligence to +beguile the timorous trout; when he observed a more than common +concourse of shepheards, all bending their unwearied steps towards a +pleasant meadow within his present prospect, and had his eyes made more +happy to behold two fair shepheardesses strewing the foot paths with +lillies and lady-smocks, so newly gathered by their fair hands that they +yet smelt more sweet than the morning, and immediately he met (attended +with Clora and Clorinda, I think were their names, and many other wood +nymphs,) the fair and virtuous Parthenia, who after a courteous +salutation, told him that the neighbour-shepheards of that part of +Arcadia had dedicated that day to be kept holy to the honour of their +great god Pan; she told him also that Orpheus would be there, and bring +his harp, Pan his pipe, and Titerus his oaten-reed to make music at the +feast; she therefore persuaded him not to lose, but to change that day’s +pleasure_.’ And (not to detain you with the whole) you are to believe +this first acquaintance of the Author with the single-hearted shepheards +grew into a friendship; and he would often ‘_rest himself among them and +their flocks feeding about them, in the calm evening, as he returned +from his river recreations, and heard that discourse which (with the +Shepheards’ names) is presented in these Eglogues_.’ + +_Host._ Thus Mr. Walton was enticed to patience; for my master knows his +humour, and is never so happy as when he can give him pleasure. + +_Painter._ And, if I may judge by these images of rural life, Mr. Walton +himself had some participation in the address. + +_Angler._ And doubtless he knew that he might claim Francis Quarles for +a worthy brother of the angle. + +_Painter._ What would I not have given to witness the freedom of those +three contented gentlemen in the fishing-house! + +_Host._ Sirs, I would that you, who are so great lovers of angling, had +there seen the sweet compliance and resignation of Mr. Walton: his +particular smiling gravity seasons all his actions, and by little and +little the limner became so enamoured of his countenance that he stamped +his very image against the pannel of the cabinet; yet all the while he +professed he could not manage it with truth to the original. I well +remember what a joy Mr. Cotton expressed by his words and countenance, +when the portrait was finished, because he should never be in want of a +lively image of his ‘dear adopted father.’ + +_Angler._ And I may prophecy that the portraiture of our excellent +master will be cherished for ages yet to come by all anglers, who may +gather from his lineaments the blessedness of a peaceful spirit. + +_Host._ After this was finished, Mr. Walton declared he would have a +reward for his conformableness, and be permitted to take his recreation +by the river: and so it was agreed that he and Mr. Cotton should have a +bout of fishing. + +_Angler._ Pr’ythee leave not a word untold of his methods of angling. + +_Host._ Well, then, Sir! Mr. Cotton gave order to his serving-boy to +bring the rods and fishing-harness from the Hall: and to work they went. +Then my master, seeing how Mr. Walton silently busied himself in fixing +a worm on the arming of his hook, challenged him to fish with the fly; +whereat the other with his own smile (that shews he hath no other season +than a continual spring within) answered him; ‘Nay, Sir, I hope to catch +more pounds of fish with my brandlings before supper time, than you +shall do with all your choicest flies.’ To this Mr. Cotton replied: ‘Say +you so? Let that be a match between us; hither boy! bring my landing net +and pannier, and let us down the stream below the swifts.’ Then he +desired I would attend carefully on Mr. Walton; and said, ‘Farewell Mr. +Piscator, and look how you put your angle to good use, for now you are +not on the banks of your Lea, but must fish in clear Derbyshire +streams:’ to which the other returned him a pleasant nod of the head; +and all the while he had prepared his tackling, without any noise, and +dropped his line with a sober mischievous look into the Pike Pool: then +seeing his quill to dip suddenly, he answered with a gaiety, ‘Anon, Sir! +look you there;—for I am certain I have a nabble.’ + +_Host._ And true it was, for he hook’d a trout, and, you may believe me, +a big one. + +_Painter._ I suspect he had an old acquaintance with that pool. + +_Host._ And he handled his fish with a singular discretion, and then I +landed him by his desire in the net. No sooner did Mr. Cotton see this, +than he was suddenly resolved to be away, and said: ‘Marry, Sir! that is +an ill omen for my match. Come, boy! the wind sets from this bank, keep +aloof from the stream:’ and with that he went towards a choice part +lower down, where an angler, that is an artist, may scarce miss his +entertainment. + +_Angler._ You waited then on Mr. Walton? I am ready to envy you such a +pleasure, and the advantage of learning some of his devices in angling. + +_Host._ Believe me, Sir, you would also love to hear him discourse; for +he proportions all he says with a most pleasing contexture of grave and +cheerful things, and delights in contemplating the beauty and order of +the works of God; and he naturally turns the thoughts of his companions +to the Great Architect, that contrived the wonderful structure of them; +persuading them to the belief that the most true, and only secure, +happiness is in virtue. + +_Painter._ That is a cheerful industrious Christian, who doth not lay up +religion like a suit, to be kept for holidays; but sucks divinity out of +every flower, and in a secret way turns it into honey. + +_Host._ And all the while he discourses, you may see him handle his rod +with a master’s skill: and he has some commixture of oil and gums, or +other experimental artifices, that most anglers have no knowledge of, to +tempt the trouts to his hook. + +_Angler._ I have not a doubt it is that receipt of his friend, Richard +Roe, as given by Mr. John Davors, in his _Secrets of Angling_; and I can +avouch that it is an excellent good one. + + _Would’st thou catch fish? + Then here’s thy wish; + Take this receipt + To anoint thy bait._ + + ‘Thou that desirest to fish with line and hook, + ‘Be it in Poole, in River, or in Brook, + ‘To blisse thy bait, and make the fish to bite, + ‘Loe, here’s a means, if thou cans’t hit it right. + ‘Take Gum of Life, fine beat, and laid to soak + ‘In Oyle, well drawn from that which kills the Oak: + ‘Fish where thou wilt, thou shalt have sport thy fill, + ‘When twenty fail THOU shalt be sure to kill.’ + PROBATUM. + + _It’s perfect and good, + If well understood, + Else not to be told + For silver or gold._[31] R. R. + +_Host._ Sir, I know not if this or any other were his charm to tempt the +fishes to his bait; but having quickly landed his second trout, he said, +‘We shall have no more present bites in Pike Pool, seeing we have +disturbed the water; so come, Mr. Marsh, if you please, let us not lose +our time hereabouts, but try some other parts, that we may win our match +from the skilful fly-fisher.’ After that he took a walk higher up the +stream to the fishing-house, and shewed his trouts to Mr. Rolston, who +was still there to give some last touches to the portraiture. Then he so +persuasively entreated the limner to paint him a trout in colours, on +one of the pannels, that the other could not find it in his thoughts to +refuse his request. But Mr. Walton did not beguile his time in the +fishing-house; for he remembered how he was to kill more fishes than Mr. +Cotton, and so he continued his industrious angling until my master +returned again, a little before sunset, and brought with him many brace +of trouts. And then Mr. Cotton said gaily, ‘My service to you, good +gentleman, most patient angler, what have your brandlings done for +you?—hast caught any fish?—it is time to give over.’ To this Mr. Walton +replied, ‘Hold, Sir, but half a minute, and I’ll tell you:’ for at that +very time he had hooked his last trout, and was playing him; and indeed +he managed him with such a craftiness and would not give him a quiet +moment to himself, but forced him with a most gentle violence up and +down the stream, till he was brought to the last extremity; in so much +that Mr. Cotton could not but applaud his skill, when he saw the fish at +his length languishing on the bank. And after that, Mr. Rolston was +called from the fishing-house to be a judge of the contest; and all the +trouts were counted out on the grass; but Mr. Walton’s fishes were more +than the other’s by some pounds in weight; and so it was declared his +bottom fishing had won the match for him; and upon that they all +returned with merry hearts to the Hall. And now, Gentlemen, it may be +expected I should ask your pardon, seeing I have occupied your attention +with this long discourse. + +_Angler._ We are greatly beholden to you for so pleasant a history. + +_Painter._ And I am glad our walk to-morrow will be along the banks of +the river, and that I am to see those choice limnings in the +fishing-house. + +_Angler._ And now let’s to bed. Come, brother, you and I will read a +chapter out of Mr. Marsh’s great Bible; and that will make our sleep the +sweeter, and not hinder our sport to-morrow. + +_Painter._ It is well thought, so do you choose for us. + +_Angler._ Where all are so exceeding good, I shall not be long before I +suit you. Here is the 23d Psalm of King David, where he testifies to the +loving mercy of God, and how his soul reposed in confidence, that He +would be near to comfort him, and sweeten all his trials. Shall I read +from that? + +_Painter._ By all means: for I am of the opinion of St. Basil, that if +all the other books of Scripture could perish, that of the Psalms would +be a sufficient holy amulet to put to flight the enemy of mankind; and I +remember how that Psalm begins—‘_The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not +want: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside +the still waters._’ + +_Angler._——[Reads.] + +_Painter._ How surprising high are the strains of this joyful hymn, +wherein David pours out the breathings of his faith, which established +him the man after God’s own heart. No language or thought can surpass +those high celestial eulogiums, which have been the prayers of the +church from age to age. + +_Angler._ Yet was King David loved of his ‘Shepherd’ before he loved Him +in return; as holy Austin writes, ‘God crowns with acceptance not our +works, but the gifts of His own grace.’ + +_Painter._ And although David thought it his highest privilege, ‘_to +dwell in the house of the Lord_;’ yet doubtless he looked further than +the sanctuary of Jerusalem to the courts of the heavenly Zion, and to +the eternal abiding of spirits, glorified in the divine presence. For +surely the beatific sights and voices, vouchsafed in after days to the +beloved and holy John, were not unknown to ‘the sweet singer of Israel.’ +He understood how the fold and pasturage of his Shepherd did, after a +spiritual sort, foreshadow the final gathering of ‘Christ’s sheep, that +are now dispersed abroad in the midst of this naughty world,’[32] into +the folds of glory. And now, brother, let us betake ourselves to rest, +with King David, praising God for all the health and other blessings we +enjoy, which are but as one drop out of that boundless ocean of joy and +treasure He will hereafter bestow for a life of holiness. Good night. + +_All._ Good night. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + + + CHAPTER III. +_The_ Host _conducts the_ Angler _and_ Painter _to_ Beresford Hall _and_ + Mr. Cotton’s _Fishing House on the River_ Dove. + + + _Painter._ + +So, brother, you are ‘stirring with the lark.’ + +_Angler._ Aye, Sir, I have been wakeful this hour and past; and because +I heard you were a-bed, I sauntered out awhile, that I might have the +enjoyment of the fresh morning. + +_Painter._ And I’ll warrant, you wandered down to the banks of the +river, like a crane, to look after fishes. + +_Angler._ You have made a wrong guess for this turn: because after a +while I chanced to find myself in the church-yard, and quietly walked up +and down. + +_Painter._ Surely that was a sad employment! + +_Angler._ Pensive, so please you, but not sad: and there I met the +sexton,—not ‘an ill willer to human nature,’ but an honest good man, who +had the key of the church: and I have seldom seen a country church more +embellished with rare carving and joiners’ work:—you may believe me, it +is quite unmatchable. + +_Painter._ Indeed! + +_Angler._ And Mr. Cotton’s family seat is carved with delicate +ornaments; and his armorial bearings chiselled in oak, with a canopy +over head, in rich tracery work. Indeed, the whole church, as the +baptismal font, and chancel, the pulpit and altar, and a lofty organ, +all worthy of those earlier and better ages, when the same spirit +pervaded the Church as possessed the heart of Mary Magdalene, who +bestowed upon her loved Master that alabaster box of ointment of +spikenard, as the most precious testimony of her reverence and +affection. For then mankind were of opinion that the houses of God, +dedicated to His service and worship, were deserving of all the honour +they could pay to them, as being His temples who hath consecrated the +Church by His own blood. + +_Painter._ They were better times indeed.—Alas! the day when the +separatists of this nation like the heathen of old, ‘_raged, and the +people imagined a vain thing_!’ when ‘_the rulers took counsel together +against the Lord and against His anointed_’—sad workers of pillage, who +defaced the sanctuary, stripped the altars, overturned the holy fonts, +broke the ornamental paintings of the windows, and rich tracery work in +stone, made free booty of the sacramental plate, and stabled their +troopers even beneath the holy vaulted roofs, which had wont to resound +to the voices of the choirs,—chaunting the praises of God; but then, +alas! made to re-echo their unhallowed imprecations against all +ordinances and government. + +_Angler._ But fear not, brother.—God is ever with His Church; and hath +He not said, ‘_I will restore to you the years that the locust and the +cankerworm hath eaten_?’[33] Believe me, a bright day of joy shall come, +when our village churches, and those fair stately ministers throughout +the land, and especially their daily services and the appointed +festivals, shall be restored as in ancient times.——What! did not God +stir up the spirit of the heathen king of Persia to cause His holy +temple to be rebuilt after the long captivity of His people in Babylon? +‘_Then Joshua and Jerubbabel, and their brethren builded the altar of +the God of Israel, and offered the_ DAILY OFFERINGS, _according to the +custom, as the duty of every day required, and afterward the continual +services of all the_ SET FEASTS THAT WERE CONSECRATED.’[34] Did the +Spirit of God thus kindle the affections of the Israelites ‘_as one +man_?’ And is His arm shortened that He cannot deliver? Then I may never +believe that our kings, and the nobles and people of this christian +land, and her ‘_merchants and traffickers, who are princes and the +honourable of the earth_,’[35] will ornament their own ceiled houses and +tables with the pride of gold and precious things, and leave the temples +of their master, who died for them, ‘_as a cottage in a vineyard, as a +lodge in a garden of cucumbers_.’[36] + +_Painter._ I declare, dear brother, your fond hopes make my heart burn +within me; and I will believe and pray that our altars and fonts, and +the holy sacraments, shall be established in the affections of the +people of England: and this branch of the CATHOLIC CHURCH spread her +shadowing influence far and near, and carry forth our name and religion +to the most distant regions. Then may we see that oneness of the church +restored, which holy Ignatius speaks of, when ‘_the Presbytery was so +fitted together into the Bishop as strings into a harp, and when Jesus +Christ was sung in unity of mind, and the ancient one-voiced hymn of +love was sung, the people, man by man, being the harmonious +chorus_.’[37] But no more of this. + +_Angler._ Well then, tell me how you slept. + +_Painter._ To be honest, I was so weary after our walk from Derby, I +could not rouse myself till mine host entered my chamber, and told me +you were up and drest. + +_Angler._ Well! do not mock at me, if I confess I had many dreams glided +into my mind, concerning the Dove and that meek master of angling, Mr. +Izaak Walton. And such was the confusion of my thoughts, I was deluded +into a belief that I went a-fishing with him. + +_Painter._ Went a-fishing in your dreams, with Mr. Izaak Walton! that’s +brave! an excellent conceit! + +_Angler._ It is a truth; and yet by a strange perversity I was ever +detained on the opposite side of the river from him; and as he looked +upon me with a benevolent aspect, his very garb and gesture were full of +primitive composure. + +_Painter._ Worthy disciple of a benevolent master! And there you could +peruse the very dress and bearing of PISCATOR, as you went a-fishing +with him. Oh! the mysteries of this craft of angling! And did you +converse nothing with the serene old gentleman? + +_Angler._ Sometimes I essayed to speak with him, but he placed his +finger on his lip, in token of a mutual silence. Then I dreamed that he +caught a basket full of fishes with his worms, and I meanwhile was not +able to take one. Whereupon methought I climbed a rock to come at him, +that I might have a part in his recreation on the other side the river; +but when I would have struggled to go over the rock, I was hindered by +an invisible check; and being in danger of falling, I attempted to call +out to him for assistance; but then my voice faulted, and I could not +persuade him to give me an answer; for he would only beckon me to +silence by placing his finger on his lip. + +_Painter._ Ah! ha! ha! And all the while this meek master of anglers +went on to ply his art, and catch fishes, and now and then was so +condescending as to look upon you with a benevolent aspect? + +_Angler._ Nevertheless methought it uncivil in him not to be more +troubled to see me dangling on the rock. + +_Painter._ It was all because of his sweetness and serenity; for doubt +not he felt a pity for your unpleasantness: and what other accidents +befell you in this pleasant dream of yours? + +_Angler._ I was all in a confusion of thoughts; sometimes I tangled my +fishing-harness on the branches of the trees; and after that a great +fish carried it all away with the top joint of my rod, just as I thought +to land him; then again I found myself on the slippery sides of Hanson +Toot; and just as——but here comes the host. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, your servant. I hope you slept soundly, and found the +beds to your liking? + +_Painter._ Excellent well: and pleasant dreams to boot: for this +gentleman—— + +_Angler._ Hush! hush!——your ‘finger on your lip.’ + +_Painter._ I understand:—come, Mr. Marsh, let us have a light breakfast, +a morning cup of barley wine, with a manchet or two, or an oaten cake, +and then for Beresford Hall, and Mr. Cotton’s fishing-house. What are +you for, brother? + +_Angler._ I care not if it be ale, or sweet whey fresh from the +cheese-vat, so you give me such an oaten cake as we had yesterday. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, here they are at your service.—And now, if it please +you, I’ll be your willing guide to Beresford Hall. + +_Angler._ If you are in earnest and your own business will permit, we +shall be greatly beholden to you. + +_Host._ I have occasion towards Hartington; and the Hall stands by the +road. + +_Painter._ I’m glad to hear it: so, by your leave, we’ll light our +pipes, and whiff a counterblast[38] to King James, of peaceable memory. +Now, brother, ‘en avant;’ I am ready for as many measures of Derbyshire +miles as a reasonable, courteous gentleman may challenge. + +_Angler._ You are mettlesome betimes; and we may chance to put you to +the trial. + +_Host._ Sir, two miles will suffice to bring us to the Hall; but I +should first tell you there are two ways; one is the coach road, and the +other a bridle-way through the Narrow Dale; and this last is the +shortest. + +_Angler._ I incline to whichsoever Mr. Cotton travels by, when he is on +horseback, because that was the road he took with VIATOR, when he +pointed to the house, and said, ‘_This is now like to be your inn for +want of a better_.’ + +_Painter._ If I may choose, let it be whichever will give us the best +prospect over Beresford Hall. + +_Angler._ You are in the right, brother: I yield me to your better +opinion. + +_Host._ Well, then, Gentlemen, you shall both have your desires, if you +will take to the right hand path, which leads to Narrow Dale. + +_Angler._ Now we are out upon the hills, what a spacious prospect is +before us! and here’s a sweet-scented morning, fit for honest anglers. + +_Painter._ But what a rocky barren place! and what lines of stone walls, +that have cost more money to build than the land is worth! + +_Host._ Give me leave to tell you, Sir, the pasturage hereabouts is very +fertile; and you may remember how Mr. Cotton declares ‘_these hills +breed and feed good beef and mutton_.’ + +_Angler._ Aye, and make the best cheese that goes to Derby market. + +_Painter._ But you will not deny this to be a lone country of moorish +mountains, and no ornament of woods to give them a relief? + +_Host._ Very true, Sir, when you are upon the hills; but down in the +dales and glens, and by the banks of our trouty streams, I may undertake +to find you some rich landskips, so grown over with shady sycamore, and +all kinds of trees, that you will not think it tedious to walk along +them. + +_Angler._ And forget not, brother, these are the very scenes, where the +two great masters of my art have loved to wile away their cheerful +hours, in the most excellent of all recreations, and have been possessed +with those happy thoughts which they have recorded in the first and +second parts of the _Complete Angler_. And so long as truth and virtuous +inclinations have any power to move the affections, their book shall +continue to be embalmed in the judgments of men. Who that has read those +pages can wander on the banks of never-ceasing Dove, where they have +whispered their silent joys, or tread the paths they have trod, linked +in a generous friendship, without some touch of a mutual feeling! But +come, Mr. Marsh, we are ready to follow you. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, so please you to turn down this lane; and now we are +come to the top of Narrow Dale, look through the opening of the hills, +and there is Beresford before you. + +_Angler._ There, Sir, there! what say you now? + +_Painter._ Indeed, a goodly mansion in the distance: and those mountains +which bound the prospect rise up with a natural variety, and blend +themselves into an harmonious landskip. + +_Angler._ And does not ‘_the house stand prettily_?’ + +_Painter._ Aye, truly: and now, brother, as we approach so near to the +object of our happy pilgrimage, I glow with a part of your zeal.—Forgive +me that I have been merry against anglers, and couched my doubtful +meaning beneath some quips and quibbles. But now I open my heart to you, +that I may participate in all your pleasures, and therefore do you guide +and govern me, for I am wholly yours. + +_Angler._ And there’s my hand in testimony that I return all your +friendly thoughts: and I doubt not you will be better entertained on a +nearer acquaintance with Beresford Hall. + +_Painter._ But, methinks, there is something of a Tower. + +_Angler._ Nay, I see it not. + +_Painter._ There, above the woods, to the right of the mansion. + +_Angler._ At the top of the hill? + +_Host._ The same; and it is called the Flambeaux Tower. + +_Painter._ It is all a choice subject, therefore give me leave to make a +hasty design. + +_Angler._ In this, brother, you show your love for me. And pr’ythee, +mine host, is the Tower of Mr. Cotton’s building? + +_Host._ Aye, Sir, and of free-stone, brought from the quarry that lies a +few miles off. But I shall not here enlarge to particulars, because a +closer view will testify how it is done by the clearest rules of order. + +_Angler._ But wherefore the name of the Flambeaux Tower? + +_Host._ Sir, I am to tell you that is a fancy of Mr. Cotton’s; for he +will often ride a distance from home, to visit the Earl of Devonshire at +Chatsworth, or to Haddon Hall, and other great houses, that he may take +the pastime of hunting the red deer, and hawking, and such like +diversions, as gentlemen in England love to exercise themselves in: so +you may believe he will sometimes return to the Hall by night. + +_Painter._ Methinks he should be a skilful rider to trust his neck over +these precipices and hills in the dark. + +_Host._ Sir, you may trust my master’s well-bred steeds, and if you +could but once see him on horseback, you would have no fears about him: +for he has learned to ride the great horse in the schools; and no bounds +or faults can move him. And when he is mounted for the field, in his +close doublet and large round hosen, with his high boots, he is like a +part of his horse, and you would presently ask, ‘what noble cavalier is +yonder?’ and I have but this more to say, when I was once in attendance +upon him at the Earl of Derby’s with his cast of hawks, I heard the +‘_loyal Duke_’ of Newcastle,[39] that excellent judge of horsemanship, +declare before a great company of gallants that he knew no gentleman who +carried himself more gracefully in the manage of a horse than Mr. +Cotton. And thus it is, when he is expected home o’ dark nights, my lady +will cause the beacon to be lighted at the top of the Tower, that he may +have a sure guide across the hills, and an early distant welcome to +cheer him. + +_Painter._ A brave thought, and like the beautiful Hero, in ancient +story, when she waited impatiently on the rocks for her Leander to swim +across the Hellespont, at a great hazard, and only for the sweet short +joy of breathing out his love;—then she set up a blazing torch, to be +his guiding star through the darkness of the night and the deep waves. + +_Host._ Indeed? now I see why Mr. Cotton will sometimes call it his +‘_Hero’s Tower_!’[40] and I was too unlearned to understand the reason +of it before; but this I know, there is none within the Hall but is +ready to bid the master welcome when he comes. + +_Angler._ That I believe; and I remember how VIATOR says to Mr. Cotton; +‘_that your meal is so soon ready is a sign your servants know your +certain hours_.’ No doubt, they attend upon him with alacrity. + +_Host._ It were strange else; and I would you might see the gladness of +the commonalty and poorer sorts that live hereabouts, to have him +amongst them;—as on Sundays, when they expect him at the church-door in +Alstonfields, at the fix’t hour of service; or on festivals and +holidays, when the young men and maidens look for him to be a witness of +their country pastimes, and think their May-day games, and Lamb-ale at +sheep-shearing feasts, want half their joyfulness, if any accident +hinders him;—such is their natural affection for his person. But now, +Gentlemen, we are to take this side of the Narrow Dale, for in some +parts it is boggy and moory; you may see the path winds by a moderate +declivity; and now we are come to the bottom, and here is Beresford +Lane; so we may pass under this row of ash trees to the outer +gate:——will you be pleased to enter? + +_Angler._ Surely this steep road was cut out of the rock, and here is a +young wood about it, which seems to be of Mr. Cotton’s own planting. + +_Host._ Aye, Sir: for he loves the ornamental art of planting gardens +and orchards; nay, he hath writ a book of instructions for the same, and +caused it to be printed in London.[41] + +_Painter._ Indeed! I knew not he was author of any book, save his +COMPLETE ANGLER. + +_Host._ Sir, Mr. Cotton has produced various compositions: and to say +the truth, I know not if angling or books have the greater charms for +his vacant hours. Some of his writings are of a poetic cast, and there +is one writ in praise of His present Majesty;[42] and, as I have heard, +some useful histories have been Englished by his pen out of the French +tongue.[43] + +_Angler._ And I cannot doubt his writings reflect the image of his +ingenuous disposition, and show his reverence for virtue. + +_Painter._ I hope they do. If they could be opposite to this—which I +will not believe, unless you can tell me of your own knowledge,—I should +wish that he had not composed them. + +_Host._ And now, Gentlemen, this is Beresford Hall before you. + +_Angler._ On my word, a handsome mansion. + +_Painter._ I did not think to find such a fair house, so adorned with +architecture: and what a spacious garden, full of contrivances to please +the eye and plantations growing upon the rocks, and those open shady +groves and vistos! + +_Host._ Well, Sirs, I am proud to think it is not behind your +expectations. + +_Painter._ It hath a choice mixture of natural and composed beauties +that I have not often seen surpassed. + +_Host._ And within you will find every thing to be worthy of so +honourable a gentleman as my master. By your leave, I’ll go and warn the +servants of your coming. + +_Angler._——Well, brother, what say you to all this? I pray you look at +the peaceful walks underneath those yew trees and chesnuts. + +_Painter._ And the structure and workmanship of the house are deserving +of note: see you the bear rampant carved in stone over the doorway?——but +the host returns. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, you have the liberty to make yourselves welcome: will +you please to walk in, and a servant will attend you. + +_Angler._ What a noble hall is here, wainscotted and pannelled in oak, +with handsome furniture! Observe this mantel with the Cotton arms carved +in oak: and here the family quarterings let into the lattice in ancient +coloured glass: and these high chairs and ebony coffers. + +_Painter._ Above all, some exceeding good limnings, and doubtless +portraitures? + +_Host._ Sir, they are pictures of the family. + +_Painter._ I pray you, whose is this of so noble a mien? + +_Host._ That is my master’s late father, Mr. Charles Cotton the elder, +of Ovingden, in the county of Sussex, who died twenty years are now +past. And here is the portraiture of my late mistress: she brought the +mansion-house and lands to the Cottons, in right of her mother, who was +a descendant of the noble family of Beresford. + +_Angler._ What a sweet modesty of disposition shines in every lineament +of her face! + +_Host._ You may believe me her look is but the mirror of her mind; for +such was the native meekness, discretion, and innocence of Mistress +Olive Cotton, she was a pattern of women, and loved by the poor and +rich. + +_Painter._ It is the very image of candour: and the effects of the +colours are so true to life, and the lights and shadows disposed with +such a knowledge of the art, it is plain they are done by no less a hand +than Sir Anthony Vandyke’s. And who is this gentleman with his +hunting-dogs beside him, and a hooded hawk on his wrist? + +_Host._ That, Sir, is another of this honourable family, and one who +loved hunting and fowling; he it was brought those antlers you see on +either side of the mantel-piece, from some distant place in Ireland. + +_Painter._ It is painted in the manner of that noted limner of Queen +Elizabeth, Frederico Zuchero; and I incline to believe it represents the +queen’s falconer in Ireland, when she commanded Sir Henry Sydney, _her +deputie of that Realm_, to provide the Marquis of Savia, a nobleman of +Spaine, ‘_with hawkes, doggs, and other such pleasures in exchange for +certayne perfumed gloves he presented to her Majesty, much to her lyking +and contentation_.’ + +_Angler._ And mark these ancient spurs, hunting-horns, and bits for +bridles, and all kinds of implements for the chase, hanging up by the +sides of the windows; and here a bundle of falcons’ hoods, bells, and +jesses. + +_Servant._ Sir, next to the diversion of angling, my master loves +falconry; and I have seen him cast and reclaim his hawks as skilfully as +the best gentleman in the county. He entertained a noble large company +of falconers, it is now three months past, and there were so many hounds +and horses they could scarcely be provided withal. Nevertheless, my +master rather applies himself to the practice of angling. + +_Angler._ That I believe: and here is every kind of harness for fishing: +fly rods and nets, and spears for eels. + +_Servant._ So please you, Sir, on those two pegs yonder you may see an +old angle rod, that my master lays great store by: it is roughly made, +but has killed a huge quantity of trouts in its time; for it belongs to +a worthy gentleman, Mr. Izaak Walton. + +_Angler._ Say you so? + +_Servant._ And I have many times seen him with that spliced rod and a +little bag of brandlings, with a line and a float for bottom fishing, +fill a good sized pannier within a little distance from this, up and +down Dove Dale.—Indeed, it is wonderful to see his artful methods. + +_Angler._ I perceive you are well acquainted with his person. + +_Servant._ Sir! he is the most familiar of my master’s friends: I have +oftentimes waited upon him a-fishing, when he has visited the Hall, and +hope to do so again; for there is none of my master’s guests we are all +so pleased to serve; he is so condescending, and always thinks himself +obliged. We have a chamber that my master calls ‘_Mr. Walton’s own +chamber_.’ + +_Angler._ Indeed! I must tell you I profess myself to be a scholar of +his, and we call him the father of anglers: may we, therefore, have +permission to see that apartment? + +_Servant._ With pleasure, Sir. + +_Angler._ Come, brother, have you done with your admiration of those +limnings? If you please, we may pass on to see Mr. Walton’s bed-chamber. + +_Painter._ I am ready to attend you. + +_Servant._ This way, Gentlemen, to the great staircase. + +_Angler._ Lead on, and we will follow. + +_Servant._ Sirs, here is the chamber I told you of. + +_Painter._ I declare, a goodly apartment; and his bed with handsome +coverlid and hangings: and I observe three angels’ heads stamped on the +ceiling in relief. + +_Angler._ A fit emblem of the peaceful slumbers of the innocent; and so, +I am sure, are Mr. Walton’s. And whose picture is that over the mantel? + +_Servant._ That is my master, Sir; it was painted at Court, and brought +last summer from London. + +_Angler._ What a lively expression of eye, and a great sweetness in the +lips! + +_Servant._ It is the very look of my master; and I have heard say it was +done by the king’s painter, after the expressed desire of Mr. Walton. + +_Painter._ Aye, methought it was the touch of Lely, who hath been so +deservedly honoured by his Majesty with the dignity of knighthood. + +_Angler._ And is celebrated by the best poets[44] and wits of the age. + +_Painter._ This portraiture is so delicately limned, and the colours so +admirable, it could only be of a master’s hand. + +_Angler._ Beseech you, brother, may not this chamber deserve to be +highly esteemed of all anglers; think—here it was VIATOR had his +lodgings, when Mr. Cotton brought him to his house. + +_Host._ There is the very bed where he was promised ‘_sheets laid up in +lavender_,’ and you may be sure he had them. + +_Painter._ And see the pannels of oak-wood in figured patterns over the +chimney. + +_Angler._ It is a rich work, and falls in with the rest of the chamber: +look at this fine cabinet chiselled in oak and inlaid with paintings. + +_Host._ And here again the lattice windows set with the arms of +Beresford and Cotton. + +_Painter._ And whose crest is that? An eagle with wings expanded, argent +beaked and legged, and holding in his dexter a belt azure! + +_Host._ That is my master’s crest, and you may see three cotton hanks +for arms; that agrees with the name. + +_Angler._ With a chevron azure between. + +_Painter._ And a bear salient, sable armed gules, muzzled and chain’d +or. + +_Host._ These are the Beresford arms: and here the quarterings of the +noble family of the Stanhopes. + +_Painter._ Stanhope, say you?—Quarterly ermine and gules—How is that? + +_Host._ Sir, you are to note, my late mistress Olive, the mother of Mr. +Cotton, was the daughter of Sir John Stanhope, Knt. by the heiress of +Beresford. + +_Angler._ I thank you; it is all of a piece, and excellently finished. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, if I may be so bold to remind you, we have many other +things which will entertain you for some hours—as the Flambeaux Tower, +and the Fishing House, and the River. + +_Angler._ True; our present pleasing thoughts had made us forgetful: but +we are ready to follow you. + +_Host._ Then, if you please, we may descend once more to the hall, and +so into the garden.——And now I will lead you by this rising ground to +the Tower. + +_Angler._ What is here?—a handsome terrace of grass, set round with a +double row of trees. + +_Host._ This is the bowling green: if you will take the trouble to look +over this parapet, you may see a precipice some hundred feet deep. + +_Angler._ It is quite a gulph, but overgrown with trees and briars. Here +is a smooth ground for bowls; and I remember PISCATOR speaks of this +bowling green, and declares himself to be ‘_no very great bowler_;’ but +he says, ‘_I am not so totally devoted to my own pleasure, but that I +have also some regard to other men’s_.’ + +_Host._ That was but his modest opinion of himself; for I have seen him +play and win great matches at bowls and quoits, both here and on +Wolfscote Hill, which is a little distance on the other side of the +Dove. But here we have the Prospect Tower: you may see how it stands on +the highest top of the rock, and within is an ornamented summer room. + +_Painter._ It is a costly building, and in due proportions of +architecture. + +_Angler._ Then I beseech you deny me not a picture, if it be but an +outline,—only a memento. + +_Painter._ I am free to do your bidding. And would you have those +handsome stone steps and ballusters leading to the porch, and that stone +seat near the door? + +_Angler._ Aye, so please you; and do not forget some of those shady +trees: but above all, the beacon on the top, which has served his +beloved Hero to bring her Leander home, and recalls the olden times of +our forefathers: for learned Mr. Lambarde,[45] in his Perambulation of +Kent, brings this word from the ‘Saxon _Bechnian_, which is to call by +signe, or _beck-on_, when they were made of great stakkes of wood, but +were ordained by King Edward the Third to be highe standards with their +pitch-pots,’ in the fashion you here see it. + +_Painter._ ’Tis worthy of all my little skill: an enchanting spot, and +nothing neglected for its adorning. + +_Angler._ Was it built by merry Mr. Rolston? + +_Host._ The same; and those smooth stones were brought from the quarries +of Sheen, some miles off; and my master told him to do his utmost; +because his resolution was to have a little apartment for his own +especial privateness, where he might feast his eye with these prospects, +and so retired from the world, that no one might interpose between him +and the vein of his thoughts. For he is so inclinable to be in love with +books, that he will sometimes pass his day in a continual study. + +_Angler._ I remember, in that poem prefixed to his COMPLETE ANGLER, he +says, + + ‘Dear solitude, the soul’s best friend, + ‘That man acquainted with himself dost make, + ‘And all his Maker’s wonders to intend; + ‘With thee I here converse at will, + ‘And would be glad to do so still; + ‘For it is thou alone that keep’st the soul awake. + ‘How calm and quiet a delight + ‘It is, alone, + ‘To read, and meditate and write, + ‘By none offended, and offending none!’ + +_Painter._ Well, it is a place, of all others, where a man may create a +phantastic world around him, free from all the accidents of fortune. And +how tempered in our thoughts and wishes should we all be, if we could +oftener regale ourselves with such spiritual repasts of study and +contemplation! But come, I have designed the tower in black and white; +and now let us within. + +_Host._ This way, Sirs,—and so to the top. Here is the beacon and the +marks of the torchlights, that have many a night guided my master on his +return to the Hall. + +_Angler._ Look over this mirador, and see the garden below embroidered +with roses, and other choicest plants and flowers. + +_Painter._ It is a little paradise: there is such a concealed artfulness +in these contrivances, as makes them like a cultivated nature. + +_Host._ This we use to call the garden of the tower, and every flower +and shrub hath been planted and watered by the hand of his Countess.[46] + +_Angler._ And here Mr. Cotton occupies many hours with great +pleasantness to himself, in writing those histories you spoke of? + +_Painter._ It is not to be wondered at; for so peaceful a spot might +well kindle the thoughts of a less cheerful writer. + +_Angler._ But look! what is yonder? a house by the side of the river, in +the shade of some trees! + +_Host._ That, Sir, is the FISHING-HOUSE. + +_Angler._ And the Dove, ‘_that winds through the vale like a snake_?’ + +_Host._ The same. + +_Angler._ What a sylvan prospect is here! I am transported with the +desire of a nearer view. + +_Painter._ Say you so? then let us proceed towards it; for I am no less +impatient. + +_Host._ Well, Sirs, now you are come down from the tower, I will bring +you to the river, along a by-path. + +_Angler._ Aye, here it is, by the side of that bench of stone underneath +the chesnut trees: but have a care, brother, or you may stumble down. + +_Host._ This way, so please you, Gentlemen; by this unorderly path under +the ash trees; but look to your heels; for here are high rocks, and +somewhat difficult. + +_Painter._ So-ho! Mr. Marsh, I cannot hold pace with you. + +_Angler._ Why what’s the matter, Brother? + +_Painter._ Not so fast; I am like to tip over. + +_Host._ Here, Sir, take my hand, and put your foot on this root; so, you +are safely down. + +_Angler._ And here is the DOVE! as limpid as the Heliconian springs! + +_Painter._ Come, master, give over your ecstatics, or clothe your +thoughts in some poetic lines. + +_Angler._ Stay a while: for I see a little temple before us, fit for the +shrine of the muses. + +_Host._ It is the FISHING-HOUSE; and I have brought the key, that you +may go in and look about you. + +_Angler._ Then I beseech you unlock at once; for I have a passionate +desire to put my foot into this retreat ‘_dedicated to anglers_!’ What +do you think of this, brother? ‘_is it not prettily contrived?_’ mark +the cipher carved in the front, on the keystone of the door, which +represents the first letters of Mr. Walton’s and Mr. Cotton’s names, +underneath those inviting words, PISCATORIBUS SACRUM, 1674. + +_Painter._ Indeed a choice spot for a-fishing-house! + +_Angler._ Aye, you see ‘_it stands in a kind of peninsula_.’ And you may +remember how Mr. Cotton promised VIATOR, he should see his fishing-house +‘_upon the margin of one of the finest rivers for trouts and grayling in +England_.’ Mr. Walton’s name and his twisted in cipher declare the near +affinity of love between those happy anglers. + +_Painter._ By and by I must make a draught of this, for the neat +building, and this grove of trees, and the Dove, make it all a most +engaging landskip. + +_Angler._ And now we could only desire one thing more;—to enjoy the +company of those loving fishermen, and see them take their recreation, +and hear them sing together some choice songs. But come, I am full of +expectation for what we may find within. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, the door is open! + +_Angler._ This is marvellously contrived: what a delight for fishers! +all the wainscoting covered with landscapes, and cheerful anglers on the +banks of the river, sitting in the shade of rocks, or casting their +flies into the stream. + +_Painter._ And fishes most delicately painted on the oak wainscoting. + +_Angler._ Aye, spotted trouts, and graylings done to the life. + +_Host._ And here are the portraits of Mr. Walton and Mr. Cotton, on the +pannels of the beaufet. + +_Angler._ And indeed very handsome and becoming figures. + +_Host._ Nor could they be more resembling; there is Mr. Walton in his +‘sad coloured suit,’ leaning against a rock, who is now going to bait +his hooks; and Mr. Cotton has his fly rod in his hand, and a waiting boy +behind with his landing net. + +_Angler._ Is this the portrait of Mr. Walton, designed by the gentleman +architect from Nottingham? + +_Host._ The same; then Mr. Rolston undertook to paint this of Mr. +Cotton, to be a companion picture to him he loves so dearly. + +_Painter._ I declare I have never seen any thing to please me more. They +are worthy of each other. + +_Angler._ Dear brother! I dare not ask you for what I now desire. + +_Painter._ You may dare ask anything I can pleasure you in. + +_Angler._ If you could make me a true copy of all we see here, I would +be the happiest man alive. + +_Painter._ I shall do it willingly. + +_Angler._ It is kindly spoke, and that I may entice you to the work, I +will read to you that passage in Mr. Cotton’s book, where he brought +hither his happy companion. + +_Painter._ Pr’ythee begin, and I’ll prepare the while. + +_Angler._ Well then, you are to understand, Mr. Cotton and his guest +being up and drest early the next morning, after their journey from +Derby, PISCATOR said to his boy, ‘_Take the key of my fishing-house and +carry down these two angle rods in the hall window thither with my fish +pannier, pouch, and landing net, and stay you there till we come._’ And +then down they went cheerily together, and a delicate morning it was; +and when they were arrived at the door, PISCATOR invited the other to +walk in, and there sit and talk as long as he pleased. And VIATOR +declared he was ‘_more pleased with this little house than any thing he +ever saw: it stands in a kind of peninsula too, with a delicate clear +river about it. I dare hardly go in, lest I should not like it so well +within as without, but, by your leave, I’ll try. Why, this is better and +better, fine lights, fine wainscoted, and all exceeding neat, with a +marble table and all in the middle._’ + +_Painter._ Here is the very table made out of fine black marble. + +_Host._ Taken from our Derbyshire pits, and as you see, clearly +polished, and all rounded at the corners. + +_Angler._ And these chairs, carved in oak, with the handsome pavement in +black and white, are all of a piece with the other ornaments. + +_Painter._ He was an exceeding skilful limner, and worthy of Mr. +Cotton’s friendship, that painted these prospects and figures; for the +hills and rocks are to the very nature, and for the portraits, they are +not inferior to any artist of this day; and it was a clear discerning +taste imagined all those ornamental fittings. + +_Angler._ And so thought his happy guest, VIATOR; but Mr. Cotton civilly +interrupted his praises, and said, ‘_Enough, Sir, enough; I have laid +open to you the part where I can worst defend myself, and now you attack +me there. Come, boy! set two chairs, and whilst I am taking a pipe of +tobacco, which is always my breakfast, we will, if you please, talk of +something else_;’ and so these affable gentlemen agreed to converse +together about fly-fishing in clear rivers: but first of all VIATOR said +to Mr. Cotton, ‘_If you will lend me your steel, I will light a pipe the +while, for that is commonly my breakfast in a morning too_:’ and then +down they sat, and PISCATOR gave him some instructions in making of +artificial flies, which I have read attentively, and I may declare them +to be worthy of all remembrance and practice by every hopeful angler. +And after that away they went to the river for their amusement, and to +try the flies they had themselves twisted after nature. + +_Painter._ And what then? + +_Angler._ I think you need not be told that they had good sport of +trouts; and the stranger proved himself to deserve the character Mr. +Walton gave of him in his first part of the COMPLETE ANGLER. + +_Painter._ And pray what was that? + +_Angler._ Why, Mr. Walton declared that he was so suitable to his own +humour, which is to be free and pleasant, and civilly merry, that his +resolution was to hide nothing that he knew from him. And I have no +doubt Mr. Cotton entertained the same opinion of him; and so they fished +the stream till the servant came to tell them it was dinner time. And +Mr. VIATOR was so allured with the sport, that the next morning he +longed to be at the river again; and when he heard the wind sing in his +chamber window, could forbear no longer, but leapt out of bed, and had +just made an end of dressing himself as Mr. Cotton came in to call him +up.——And now I will leave you to yourself; only, I beseech you, as far +as your patience will allow you, represent all you see: yet I would not +be unreasonable. + +_Painter._ I am so in love with the place, that I hope to satisfy you in +every particular; so do you go and catch me a brace or two of trouts. + +_Angler._ That I’ll do willingly, and when your work is finished, come +to me and you shall try your luck too. And now, Mr. Marsh, you and I +will walk forth and look at the river; good bye, brother, and remember +this is to be your masterpiece. + +_Painter._ I’ll do my best to give you pleasure: let me but find you +with some trouts when I come. + +_Angler._ Doubt me not; farewell.—— + +_Host._ Now, Sir, will you please go higher up the stream? + +_Angler._ With all my heart: but let me untie my angle and line, that I +may be ready: and now what fly do you recommend? here is a case, full of +all sorts of my own making: but I remember, Mr. Cotton says, ‘_they who +go to Rome, must do as they at Rome do_;’ and as I have a certain sort +of pride, and have no mind to be laughed at by that satirical gentleman +in the fishing-house, I shall be glad to make a good choice; and I dare +say you know the likings and dislikings of the trouts in the Dove? + +_Host._ Well, Sir, I will not put on a false modesty in that matter; and +if you’ll let me see your case of flies, I may be able to find one or +two will make some execution. + +_Angler._ Here they are. + +_Host._ Aye, indeed! Are these of your own twisting? They are very +skilfully done: nay, Sir, Mr. Cotton himself could not tie them better, +and I am bold to say you are no stranger to our Derbyshire streams? + +_Angler._ It is not my first season in the Dove by many: and I know +something of the Wye and Derwent, and the clear Lathkill too. + +_Host._ Then, Sir, if you can fish in the Lathkill, which is beyond all +emulation the brightest water in Derbyshire, and perhaps in England, and +breeds the reddest trouts, you must be well skilled in the art; and so I +might take you to be from these flies, which for a close imitation of +the natural fly are quite masterly. + +_Angler._ I see you would encourage me with a little praise: but +pr’ythee which do you recommend: it is early in the season for a GREEN +DRAKE, but here is the STONE FLY: or would you prefer the DUN CUT? + +_Host._ Sometimes I have known the GREEN DRAKE to appear before this, +and you may depend he will be out in a few days, for I have examined the +caddis and they are almost come to maturity; but you cannot have a +better fly than this DUN CUT, and it is an excellent piece of +workmanship. + +_Angler._ I’ll make the trial of it; and now the wind is whistling, and +the water curls merrily, so let us begin. + +_Host._ There, Sir, was a rise. + +_Angler._ Nay, he came short; but there he is again. I have him; so, so; +now, Mr. Marsh, for the net: ’twas well landed, and a fine fish it is; +but I have seen some in better season—ah! there is another; methinks +he’s yet bigger: and now I come to look at him, he’s better fed: and +there’s a third! Well, this is a gamesome river. + +_Host._ Indeed, Sir, you have a gentle wrist. I wish Mr. Cotton could +see you; he would not part with you for some days; but would entertain +you with so many pleasures, that you would be contented to remain at the +Hall, and almost forget yourself to be a stranger. + +_Angler._ Would he were here! + +_Host._ Alas! I would he were with all my heart. + +_Angler._ I have the greatest desire possible to see a gentleman endowed +with so many accomplishments, and of such a generous spirit. But let us +move upwards. + +_Host._ Aye, Sir; yonder, where the river makes a bend, ’tis a deep +water, and still; but it is ruffled by a good breeze of wind, and you’ll +find some large trouts lie there. + +_Angler._ Wherever you recommend. What a green turfy walk is here! I +could almost envy Mr. Walton his angling with a float, to sit on such a +bank, and recline himself under the shade of these trees: the grass is +so well mowed, ’tis as soft under foot as velvet, and fit for a bowling +ground. + +_Host._ Sometimes Mr. Cotton and his friends will have their pleasure +here at bowls instead of yonder by the Tower. + +_Angler._ Well, it must take the work of some labouring men to keep all +this grass plot so smooth, for there is near two acres of it. + +_Host._ Yes, Sir, the gardeners have enough to do: and this brings to my +mind a story of Mr. Cotton—but it is not worth your hearing. + +_Angler._ I pray you let me have it whatever it is. + +_Host._ Well, Sir, I need not tell you my master is the farthest +possible from an avaricious man, for his hand and purse are open to the +poor; and he will always have his servants well provided: but the cook +is sometimes a pinch-crust, and then the servants will grumble. Now it +chanced one day, in the last summer, as Mr. Cotton walked down this way +to fish, the mowers were cutting the grass badly, and so he cried out to +them, ‘How now, fellows! what do you call this? a grass plot or a meadow +land? I pray you let me see it better done, and smoothly.’ Thereupon +they looked at one another doubtingly, and whispered among themselves: +at length one that was known to be something of a dry wit among them, +after some little persuasive winks and nods of the others, came forward +with his hat in his hand to be their spokesman. Then in a very humble +tone, and with something of a facetious look, which always takes with +Mr. Cotton, he said, + + ‘Little meat, and half enough, + ‘Makes the scythe cut high and rough.’ + +So because Mr. Cotton has no austerity of behaviour towards the lowest +and poorest man that speaks to him civilly, he enquired what his meaning +was, and then the truth came out. ‘Well, well, honest man,’ he replied, +‘go to your work, and I’ll presently see to it.’ And so he walked home +to the Hall, and there he made a rout at the cook, and ordered a servant +to take down provisions enough, and plenty; and in the afternoon he +found his rascals hard at work, bending lustily over their scythes. Then +he goes and looks at them; and then out steps the poet with his hat in +his hand as before, and says to him, + + ‘Now we’ve meat, and some to spare, + ‘It makes the scythe both wipe and pare,’ + +meaning the grass should be cut smooth and fine. So Mr. Cotton laughed +at his rustical wit, and said ‘go to—go to, thou art a wag;’ and so he +turned away, and took his recreation a-fishing, and I am sure he was +more entertained than he chose to tell them. + +_Angler._ They are happy servants to be under a master who is so +accostable and sweet tempered.——But here comes the gentleman from the +fishing-house. + +_Painter._ So, brother, what sport? + +_Angler._ Excellent good. And how have you sped? + +_Painter._ Those paintings in the fishing-house have detained me longer +than I thought; but I have done them with all the correctness I am +master of. + +_Angler._ A thousand thanks to you. But look ye, a large fish has come +to me: I have him fast; now do you take the rod, and you shall have the +praise to kill this trout within view of Mr. Cotton’s fishing-house. + +_Painter._ It may be the ill luck to lose one; for I shall but bungle at +him. + +_Angler._ Come, be persuaded, and quickly. + +_Painter._ Well, then, I’ll try a bout with him. Ah me! what an +unmannerly glutton it is. + +_Angler._ Point your rod high—keep him with a steady hand; so—it is well +done. + +_Painter._ Ah me! how he struggles—there! saw you that tumble he made? +Shall I jerk him out? + +_Angler._ Oh, by no means; but have patience: give him his play, and a +little more line—so-ho! that’s enough—hold up your rod—there, now wind +him up with a discretion, and we shall bring him to land presently. + +_Painter._ Where is the net? + +_Angler._ I have it ready; fetch him round hither. + +_Painter._ There was a tug he gave: I shall lose him—beseech you take +the rod again. + +_Angler._ Pardon me, you shall have your sport: worry him a bit: see how +he lies on the water—this way, and now you have him, as you well +deserve. + +_Painter._ That was exceeding fine sport; I never thought the pleasures +of angling were so great. I’m quite hot and confused. He is a handsome +fish, spotted red all over. How many have you taken? + +_Angler._ Three trouts; but this last you have so handled like a skilful +‘prentice in the art is worth them all: it is a heavy fish, and see what +fine condition he’s in. You shall make another trial lower down the +stream, where the water is in rapids. But before we go let me see your +paintings. + +_Painter._ There they are; and I was never more in love with my +employment, than when I sat in the fishing-house, and saw Mr. Walton and +Mr. Cotton looking upon me from the doors of the beaufet. I have +endeavoured all I could, (but in vain) to delineate honest Izaak, who +looks so meekly. + +_Angler._ Nay; it is an exact copy of yonder portrait: what can be more +winning than to see his mute calmness, which only happy anglers know! +And Mr. Cotton, whose native disposition shines in that mirthful +countenance, which can be no other than his own. What say you, mine +host, to this limning; hath my brother caught Mr. Cotton’s look? + +_Host._ Aye, Sir, to the life:—indeed I confess myself surprised how +this gentleman hath handled it. And so for Mr. Walton,—you may now +declare yourself to be acquainted with his person,—and garb, and +gesture. + +_Painter._ I hope you speak freely as you think, and then I am +satisfied; and here is the external of the fishing-house, at a near +view. + +_Angler._ It is all exceeding good; the lights and shades of this +inviting spot painted with a perceptible truth. + +_Painter._ And here is one more which is the fishing-house within doors; +and that, I must say, is the best of all. + +_Angler._ I protest this is even beyond yourself. ‘_Give me leave to +embrace you._’ Why, Sir, it is a matchless piece of art. Look you, Mr. +Marsh, there we all are, as like as possible, talking in the +fishing-house. + +_Host._ I have never seen such a natural painting. + +_Painter._ Come, come, Sirs;—you so enhance my poor deserts, you make me +blush,—indeed you do. + +_Angler._ I speak nothing more than the truth: the colours are +admirable, and the whole is breathing with life—and there is the beaufet +in small—and the rocks and river, and contented anglers sitting beside +them:—every touch of Mr. Rolston glowing with an equal vivacity. I +cannot thank you enough. + +_Painter._ Well, brother, the pleasure you express is a full reward for +all my pains. So, if you please let us return towards those rocks we +passed in our way from the Prospect Tower. + +_Angler._ Most willingly; and there it was I had a purpose in my mind, +to put you in the way to catch another trout. + +_Painter._ But what have we yonder, opposite to this bend of the stream? +It seems a fantastical place. + +_Host._ That, Sirs, is a green recess, built up by my master, where he +will sometimes have his friends to dine in summer, and now and then give +them a game of bowls for their entertainment in the cool of the evening. +You may see the shelving sides are of soft mossy turf, and made to lean +upon at your length. I have often been a witness to the innocent mirth +of Mr. Cotton when he has entertained his guests underneath those +trees;—as Mr. Alexander Brome,[47] and Mr. Flatman, of the Inner Temple, +in London, and others. And I remember, it is many years now past, +(indeed it was that memorable joyful year of the king’s return from his +forced exile,) Mr. Walton sent my master word, that he and their mutual +friend, Mr. Brome, chancing together to be in Stafford, had challenged +one the other to walk on pilgrimage to Beresford, and make free with the +trouts in his river Dove. Well do I remember the joy of my master, when +he received the letter: alas! methinks those happy days shall never +return. + +_Painter._ Nay, Mr. Marsh: it is the permitted liberty of an honest +reason to ‘_hope all things_;’ fortune will sometimes flout the best of +men, and lead them forcibly through all sorts of contrary meanders and +labyrinths; but she can never deject the spirits of brave christian +men.[48] I beseech you entertain more cheerful thoughts: and did the +introduction of Mr. Brome follow this self-invitation of the Stafford +pilgrims? + +_Host._ Aye, Sir: and Mr. Thomas Flatman chanced at the time to be a +guest at the Hall, a most ingenious and alluring companion, who, as I +have heard my master jocosely say, was the happy accepted lover of two +mistresses. + +_Angler._ And yet, methinks, in his younger days, he wrote a ballad +against the peaceable joys of matrimony. + +_Painter._ Mr. Cotton jested merrily with his friend, well knowing how +at once he woo’d the sister arts of Poesy and Painting:[49] and, indeed, +so evenly divided his affections between them, that it may be doubted to +which he paid most successful courtship. + +_Host._ Well, Sir, when the message came from Mr. Walton, my master and +Mr. Flatman could scarce express the happy thoughts that possessed them; +only this I may say, every hour seemed to be an age till the arrival of +their friends; and the servants in the house participated in the busy +expectation of their coming; and Mr. Walton’s lodging chamber, and one +for Mr. Brome were prepared. Then at length these friends had the +happiness to embrace each other; and seeing it was in the heat of +summer, Mr. Cotton brought them, after dinner, to this recess, and there +entertained them with pipes, and fruits, and wine; and because it was +soon after the king’s happy and glorious recovery of his throne, they +sung some loyal songs, and drank the king’s health in old Canary. + +_Angler._ It was worthy of honest cavaliers; and who is there would not +gladly have joined in such a merry-making? + + ‘Oh how happy was their leisure, + ‘Oh how innocent their pleasure! + ‘Oh ye vallies, oh ye mountains, + ‘Oh ye groves and crystal fountains! + ‘How they loved _to visit ye, + ‘And toast the king at liberty_.’ + +Think, what a happy concurrence of four poets! Methinks I now see them, +seated round this stone table, beneath the shadowy sycamore-trees and +elms. + +_Painter._ Four poets, say you? Thou hast a creative fancy; for Mr. +Walton was but a writer of prose; notwithstanding, I am ready to grant +his images of rural life are as poetical as any in our language, and his +COMPLEAT ANGLER a continued pastoral, abounding in natural +refinement—nay, equal to those of Phineas Fletcher[50] or Michael +Drayton.[51] + +_Angler._ Doubt not, Sir, that Mr. Walton may claim his niche in the +Temple of the Muses: and indeed, of all those who sung joyful quartettos +that day within this recess, he had as clear a title as any to be +crowned with the bays of Parnassus: for when you read, as I hope you +will do, the ingenious poems of loyal Mr. Brome, you will find in the +prefix of friendly encomiums bestowed upon it, a most joyous eclogue of +Damon and Dorus, and writ by Mr. Walton that very day of the King’s +Majestie’s restoration; indeed, I cannot give it a higher testimony of +praise than that it is worthy of his fertile pen; and thus it begins; + + _Damon._ + + ‘Hail happy day! Dorus, sit down; + ‘Now let no sigh, nor let no frown, + ‘Lodge near thy heart nor on thy brow: + ‘The King! the King’s return’d! and now + ‘Let’s banish all sad thoughts, and sing + ‘We have our laws, and have our King.’ + + _Dorus._ + + ‘’Tis true, and I would sing, but oh! + ‘These wars have sunk my heart so low, + ‘’Twill not be raised. + + _Damon._ + + ‘What—not this day? + ‘Why, ’tis _the twenty-ninth of May_: + ‘Let rebels’ spirits sink; let those + ‘That like the Goths and Vandals rose + ‘To ruin families, and bring + ‘Contempt on our Church and King, + ‘And all that’s dear to us,—be sad; + ‘But be not thou; let us be glad. + ‘Yea, let us dance, shake hands, and sing + ‘We have our laws: GOD SAVE THE KING.’[52] + _Iz. Walton._ + +_Painter._ I say Amen: and may we always ‘_have our laws and have our +King_!’ and now let us walk higher up the stream, which may vie with the +poetic Castalia as the happy resort of the Muses. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, you will find the river very pleasant below, and when +you are across the bridge by that rock, not many steps past the +fishing-house, you will suddenly find yourselves in Derbyshire. + +_Angler._ I am ready for any thing, where all is so full of pleasure. + +_Host._ And now that we are come to it, so please you, I’ll take my +leave, for I have business at Hartington: and here is the wallet with a +store of provisions for dinner; and so, Gentlemen, my humble service to +you; I wish you good luck a-fishing. + +_Angler._ Farewell.—Now, Brother, let us cross to the other side into +Derbyshire, for so Mr. Cotton did with his friend VIATOR, and promised +‘_a good fish should fall to his share_.’ + +_Painter._ I pray you stay yet a moment within this prospect, for I am +wholly possessed with some peaceful thoughts, that I would not drive +away for any recreation you can promise me. There is a murmur of the +waters over that ledge of rock, which keeps time with a musical measure, +and invites us to linger on the margin.—Think how many thousand years +the Dove has flowed along this rocky dale, and shall flow for ages yet +to come. So God provides for the sustaining of His works;—‘_He sendeth +the springs into the valleys—He watereth the hills from His +chambers._’[53] And as the River is to the natural world, so is the +CHURCH to GOD’S spiritual people on earth. In the first beginnings +flowing from the fountain of the precious blood of His own eternal +SON:—alas! a little despised stream that burst forth from Calvary; but +destined by His mysterious will to flow through the world, gathering +into herself and purifying all the tributary branches to swell her into +an unknown dignity and grandeur. + +_Angler._ And who can express the blessings she hath imparted to the +nations by her administration of holy sacraments, and united worship, +according to the inspired oracles, moulding her children, after the +pattern of their Saviour, in innocency and love. Think of the happy +multitudes who have been warned in her sacramental element, as the +appointed laver of regeneration! Think how her ordinances and harmonious +doctrines, her ministry and her creeds, founded by the holy apostles, +have been the sufficient cure of all heartaches and corroding cares, the +refuge of all unquietness, and the very bond of unity to all Catholic +Christians scattered over the world! + +_Painter._ And as she hath proceeded onwards from the distant apostolic +ages, bearing the image of Christ, so she will continue to be the mother +of all, who are baptized into His death. + +_Angler._ And notwithstanding profane seceders, turning to their own +inventions, shall fall away, and vainly hope to stop her course, and +sully the purity of her streams; still the promise is sure, and she +shall flow on with her unceasing tide, until at last she shall pour all +her collected waters into the boundless ocean of eternity.——But come, +let us pursue our quiet walks; for I verily believe there is nothing in +all this to forbid poor creatures of the earth taking their innocent +enjoyment. Indeed, all these visible beauties of nature are but sweet +expressions of the divine mind, that we should rejoice in Him who hath +created them. But remember, when the wisest of men says, ‘_go thy way, +eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart_,’[54] he +adds, ‘_it is the gift of God_,’ whereof we shall one day give an +account. And now I am ready to accompany you. + +_Painter._ Come, then, for I have a great desire to make my large trout +a brace, so let us to our angles. + +_Angler._ Look you, Brother, here I have a second angle rod, that we may +both fish in company; now say, whether it shall be a fly or a worm? You +are at liberty to make a choice. + +_Painter._ Not a doubt, but a worm and a quill for me. + +_Angler._ Nay, nay, let me persuade you to be a fly-fisher; assure +yourself it is a delicate sport, worthy of an ingenious artist as you +are; and all anglers are agreed that it is the pleasantest and most +skilful way to deceive trouts. + +_Painter._ I will not lose time in arguments; but remit you to honest +Izaak Walton, that is henceforth my master of angling. + +_Angler._ As you will: here is your tackling; and now you are fitted; so +let us go over the bridge, that we may follow Mr. Cotton’s footsteps; +for be sure he must know the likeliest holes in his own river. And he +said to his companion, ‘_You shall now go downward to some streams +between the rocks, below the little foot bridge you see there, and try +your fortune. Take heed of slipping into the water as you follow me +under the rock._’ That is the very spot where you now stand. + +_Painter._ He must be an unhandy clown, that should slip, for there is +room enough, and to spare. + +_Angler._ Well, this is the spot where he advised VIATOR to throw in; to +which the other replied: ‘_This is a fine stream indeed! There is one—I +have him._’ + +‘_And a precious catch you have of him_,’ answered Mr. Cotton, ‘_pull +him out! I see you have a tender hand. This is a diminutive gentleman, +even throw him in again and let him grow till he be more worthy your +anger._’ + +‘_Pardon me, Sir_,’ (then said VIATOR) ‘_all’s fish that comes to the +hook with me now_.’ + +_Painter._ Bravely resolved; and I declare I mean to follow this +example, if I have permission to do so. + +_Angler._ You shall do as you list. Only ‘_fish me this stream by +inches_,’ after Mr. Cotton’s instructions. + +_Painter._ With all my heart, and I am so much in love with his river +and his instructions, that I scarce know which to think the best. + +_Angler._ Well then, to make you love them both the more, you are to +understand VIATOR caught another and another. After that PISCATOR +invited him ‘_to go down the other side, lower, where you will find +finer streams and better sport, I hope, than this_;’ so let us do the +same. + +_Painter._ Wherever you please. + +_Angler._ Now we are over the bridge and into the Peak of Derbyshire; +and here it was the ingenious fishers pleased themselves and each other +with a discourse on angling: and thought their recreation was innocent, +as being an encourager of cheerfulness, patience, and brotherly +kindness. So do you begin; but keep at your distance, lest the fishes +see you, before you get a glimpse of them; for you are to remember the +Dove is one of the clearest rivers in all England. Now let your quill go +with the stream by the bank yonder, for hereabouts it was PISCATOR +assured him, there were very good fish; ‘_both trout and grayling lie +here; and at that_ GREAT STONE _on the other side, ’tis ten to one a +good trout gives you the meeting_.’ + +_Painter._ Then I’ll offer him all the temptation I can. Ah! saw you +that, Mr. Angler, my quill went under the water;—and there again! + +_Angler._ I pray you be quiet:—now strike, but as Mr. Cotton says, +‘_with moderation_.’ + +_Painter._ So, I have him tight. + +_Angler._ Be gentle; he is gone, as I feared. + +_Painter._ ’Twas my hastiness! I incautiously strained at him: but you +shall find me manage the next with greater skill. + +_Angler._ Trust me, you have your lesson to learn; for angling is no +less an art than a pleasure, and one that requires both patience and +skill. + +_Painter._ That I plainly see: but I have baited my hook again: and +there is another pulling at my worm. Now, if I do not vex him, call me +no fisherman: aye, aye, master, you may plunge and shift as you will; +but I hold you now. + +_Angler._ Have a care, for he is a fine one. + +_Painter._ Fear me not; you shall see the manner of my handling: but +there! he has thrown off into the middle of the stream; how he dives and +plucks about! I hope he will not demolish my tackle. + +_Angler._ Well, then, do not tear him about too much. + +_Painter._ What a rage he is in! so, so—he begins to sicken. Where’s the +net?—thank you—we have him. Now, Sirrah: where are you? I declare he is +as big as the other I caught up yonder. And now, brother, that I may not +hinder you, leave me here alone, with my angle rod; and I beseech you +let me have that pleasant book, which Mr. Walton and Mr. Cotton have +printed together, with a love so communicable; that while I recline on +this bank, I may remember how they have often done the same thing: and +it may be I will leave my angle rod for a time, ‘to fish for itself,’ +and make a landskip; for look how pleasantly the Prospect Tower hangs +over our heads: and I am sure that rock is a hundred feet high; and is +crowned with oak and ash trees, that grow in all the crevices. + +_Angler._ There are many passages of rare beauty in all this glade; and +since you are so disposed, I will invite you to that rising ground, and +there you shall design the fishing-house, and the Tower on the rock, so +as I may have a combination of those two with the bridge, and all the +river and the craggy sides. It will be a choice prospect! + +_Painter._ You are right, and it shall be done to the best of my +abilities; but I’ll lay my angle in the river, near to that ‘_great +stone_’, so that I may have my chance of a trout whilst I’m at work. + +_Angler._ And because you leave your angle for my sake, I will read some +passages out of Mr. Walton’s COMPLETE ANGLER for your entertainment +before I begin fishing. Here—is not this a favourable spot? + +_Painter._ Aye: come, let us sit on this grass, that smells so sweetly +of wild flowers; and do you make a choice out of Mr. Walton’s book. + +_Angler._ Well, then, you may remember, that on a time, in a cheerful +morning in the month of May, VENATOR, a huntsman, walked out towards +Hodsden, (that is a country village not many miles from London,) where +he had appointed a friend or two to meet him, that they might bestow a +day on hunting the otter. Then, by the way, he fell into the company of +a Gentleman Falconer, and as these were come together to Tottenham +Cross, in Hertfordshire, Mr. Walton overtook them: so, after his own +civil manner he accosted the strangers, and asked of their journey and +occasions, saying, ‘You are well overtaken, gentlemen, a good morning to +you both. I have stretched my legs up Tottenham Hill to overtake you, +hoping your business may occasion you towards Ware, whither I am going +this fine fresh May morning.’ Now, Mr. Walton possesses that benignity +of spirit, and such a winning method of discourse, that you may easily +believe ‘he made the way seem shorter’ by his good company. + +_Painter._ He should be a pattern of cheerful gravity, or he has, I know +not what, artifice to make himself appear so, since his writings betoken +so many endowments of native gentleness. + +_Angler._ But that it is no artifice I may take upon me to declare, and +to say the truth, an inbred sweetness and compliance are notable, both +in his look and words; insomuch that AUCEPS, the falconer, on his first +acquaintance, took the liberty to say: ‘Methinks, Sir, we may promise +good discourse from you that both look and speak so cheerfully.’ + +_Painter._ Then after those polite salutations they were all inclinable +to travel pleasantly towards Ware? + +_Angler._ And as they walked and conversed, they praised their several +recreations: and first, Mr. AUCEPS, the falconer, exercised their +attention concerning the element he used to trade in, which was the air; +and he would fain make it clear, that this was ‘an element that exceeds +both the earth and water; and, though I sometimes deal in both,’ (this +is what Mr. AUCEPS said) ‘yet the air is most properly mine; I and my +hawks use that most, and it yields us most recreation; it stops not the +soaring of my noble, generous falcon; in it she ascends to such a height +as the dull eyes of beasts and fish are not able to reach to; their +bodies are too gross for such high elevations: in the air my troops of +hawks soar up on high, and when they are lost in the sight of men, then +they attend upon and converse with the gods; therefore I think my eagle +is so justly styled _Jove’s servant in ordinary_: and that very falcon, +that I am now going to see, deserves no meaner a title, for she usually +in her flight endangers herself, like the son of Dædalus, to have her +wings scorched by the sun’s heat, she flies so near it: but her mettle +makes her careless of danger; for she then heeds nothing, but makes her +nimble pinions cut the fluid air, and so makes her highway over the +steepest mountains and deepest rivers, and in her glorious career looks +with contempt upon those high steeples and magnificent palaces which we +adore and wonder at; from which height I can make her to descend by a +word from my mouth (which she both knows and obeys) to accept of meat +from my hand, to own me for her master, to go home with me, and be +willing the next day to afford me the like recreation.’ Now, is not that +a cheerful description? and, that I may not be thought immoderate, I +will omit many passages; but I beseech you listen to the praises that +Mr. Falconer makes of ‘those little nimble musicians of the air, that +warble forth their curious ditties, with which nature hath furnished +them to the shame of art. As first the lark, when she means to rejoice; +to cheer herself and those that hear her; she then quits the earth, and +sings as she ascends higher into the air, and having ended her heavenly +employment, grows then mute and sad, to think she must descend to the +dull earth, which she would not touch, but for necessity.’ + +_Painter._ Aye! ‘grows then mute and sad to think she must descend to +the dull earth!’ How natural that is! Mr. Walton’s words are more +musical than the song of the lark—and his strains higher than her aerial +flight, for they bring you nearer to thoughts of heaven. + +_Angler._ Then he proceeds: ‘How do the blackbird and throssel with +their melodious voices bid welcome to the cheerful Spring, and in their +fixed mouths warble forth such ditties as no art or instrument can reach +to! Nay, the smaller birds also do the like, in their particular +seasons, as, namely, the leverock, the titlark, the little linnet, and +the honest robin, that loves mankind both alive and dead.’ + +_Painter._ Beautiful! ‘the honest robin that loves mankind both alive +and dead;’ that has an allusion to the ballad of the Babes in the Wood, +a sad and simple history that so mightily touches the affections of +children. + + ‘These pretty babes, with hand in hand, + Went wandering up and downe, + But never more could see the man + Approaching from the towne. + + ‘Their prettye lippes with blackberries + Were all besmear’d and dyed, + And when they saw the darksome night + They sat them downe and cryed. + + ‘Thus wandered these two little babes + Till death did end their grief, + In one another’s arms they dyed + As babes wanting reliefe. + + ‘No burial this pretty pair + Of any man receives, + Till Robin red-breast painfully + Did cover them with leaves.’[55] + +Stop, dear brother; for I would not have you to mar those passages you +have now cited out of Mr. Walton by some that are worse. + +_Angler._ Listen to one more, and I have done. ‘But the nightingale, +another of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet loud music out of her +little instrumental throat, that it might make mankind to think miracles +are not ceased. He that at midnight, when the very labourer sleeps +securely, should hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, the sweet +descants, the natural rising and falling, the doubling and redoubling of +her voice, might well be lifted above earth, and say, Lord, what music +hast thou provided for the saints in heaven, when thou affordest bad men +such music on earth!’ + +_Painter._ I now remember that description: it is beyond my praise;—it +is all music together, and I declare to you, I know not which I am most +in love with—the song of the nightingale, or the meek penman who hath +set that song to such music. + +_Angler._ I told you the writings of Mr. Walton have a power to unlock +the affections; and I am so bold as to assure you, that many men I could +name, who mocked at fishers and fishing, before they had perused the +COMPLETE ANGLER, have been moved to practise his art by the persuasive +arguments they have found in it. + +_Painter._ That I can believe, and for my part I am almost brought to +wish myself a Falconer by these testimonies which AUCEPS hath adduced to +the praise of his ‘noble, generous hawks, and those little nimble +musicians of the air.’ + +_Angler._ Stay a while, till I bring before you what the merry huntsman +had to say for his recreation; and after that the commendations Mr. +Walton bestows on the greater excellency of his own happy art of +angling. But now I perceive you have made an outline of this landskip, +so let us go down to the lower streams of the river, where I have +something better to show you. + +_Painter._ I am not willing to doubt any thing you say: but what can you +find more full of beauty than these landskips hereabouts? + +_Angler._ Of that I shall give you leave to judge when I have brought +you to a spot will enchant you; and there you may be sure to catch a +good fish. + +_Painter._ Well then, let us be doing; and now I think it is time to +repair to my angle, that I left in the water to fish for itself. + +_Angler._ There it is, and so take it up. + +_Painter._ How now!—my worm and hook both gone!—Look you!—and it may be +I have lost a good trout, whilst I was charmed with those song-birds, +that sung so sweetly out of Mr. Walton’s aviary. + +_Angler._ Never mind,—you shall presently ‘_try a fall_’ with another; +and pray take notice, that trout was not lost, for quiet Mr. Walton +says, ‘no man can lose what he never had.’ Ah! ha! saw you that fish?—he +rose just above yonder great stone on the other side. If I have any +luck, I shall land him presently. + +_Painter._ You have cast your fly in the very spot; and +there!—look——there he is again. + +_Angler._ I have him fast. + +_Painter._ See—what a summersault he made! + +_Angler._ He should be a trout from his nimbleness, and a plumper too. + +_Painter._ I beseech you handle him like an artist—here is the net and +all ready—haul him in. + +_Angler._ Not so fast—not so fast, brother—let him have his time. + +_Painter._ There again! saw you that leap he gave? By my word you have +the right knack. + +_Angler._ Now you observe he has a running line—and now I may bring him +up again—so, so—he has done his worst—now fetch the net; but if you love +me, manage him with a prudent hand; so, you performed it handsomely; and +a fine fish he is: come, let us go down to PIKE POOL. I know not how it +may fare with you;—but methinks it should be near to dinnertime. + +_Painter._ In plain truth I am well disposed to play my part at that. + +_Angler._ Away then by this bank, where the stream becomes broader. See +how it hurries by that bed of rock with a loud murmuring. + +_Painter._ How now! there is a rock in the river like a church steeple, +and forty feet high! + +_Angler._ That is the PIKE POOL you have heard of. + +_Painter._ Say you so? what a spot of solitude is here! + +_Angler._ Now tell me is not this a charming nook for a recluse angler? +But here we must make our passage once more into Staffordshire, by these +cobble stones, that we may come to the margin of the POOL; for you see +we are stopped on this side by the rocks. + +_Painter._ I am willing to follow you. + +_Angler._ Look well to your footing, and give me the wallet; for I fear +you will let that drop into the water, and now your hand—so— + +_Painter._ We are well over; and of all places I have seen, this is +surpassing in beauty. Surely it is a rocky dell, that is worthy of a +poet’s praise: now if Petrarch had sung of his Laura by these rocks, +they would be thought as fine as Vaucluse; and this stream as bright and +nimble as the Sorga itself, which I was once happy enough to visit as I +passed by Avignon towards Italy: and was permitted the leisure to sketch +some imperfect limnings of the strangely shaped and rugged rocks, from +which the mysterious fount of the river gushes into daylight. It is true +I may not boast to have caught my brace of trouts in its limpid streams; +but I tasted some skilfully drest by the civil hostess of the village +inn that is called after the name of the Poet. Oh Sir, if you had there +been the companion of my prolonged wanderings, with what delight should +we have perused together those unimitable poems of Petrarch! And do you +recollect, how he says, + + ‘L’acque parlan d’amore, e l’aura e i rami + ‘E gli augeletti, e i pesci, e i fiori, e l’erba, + ‘Tutti insieme pregando ch’io sempr’ami.’ + +_Angler._ I remember the lines. And be it known to you, Petrarcha was +himself a brother of the angle. + +_Painter._ Nay, Sir, your authority for this? I grant you, the +impassioned poet might grave the name of his Laura on the hard rocks, or +picture to his imagination her beautiful image reflected in the deep +clear caverns of the river; + + ‘Or in forma di Ninfa or d’altra Diva + ‘Che dal più chiaro fondo di Sorga esca + ‘E pongasi a sedere in su la riva:’ + +but I cannot be persuaded to believe that so hopeless a lover could be a +happy angler. He that was the most learned of his age, and Poet Laureat +crowned with the triple garland at Rome, an angler! + +_Angler._ Happy or unhappy—learned or unlearned—I may tell you he was a +fisher;—and be these lines my witness, which you may find in his latin +works; + + ‘Retia nunc sunt arma mihi, et labyrinthius error + ‘Vimineâ contextus acu; qui pervius undis + ‘Piscibus est carcer, nullâ remeabilis arte: + ‘Pro gladiis curvos hamos, fallacibus escis + ‘Implicitos, tremulasque sudes, parvumque tridentem + ‘PISCATOR modò factus ego, quò terga natantum + ‘Sistere jam didici, duroque affigere saxo. + ‘Primitias en flumineæ transmittimus artis + ‘Et versus quot Clausa domos habet arctaque Vallis, + ‘Quæ tibi pisciculos et rustica carmina pascit.’[56] + +_Painter._ Marry, Sir, after those harmonious verses that you have so +fixedly treasured up in your memory it is undeniable you may have the +honour to claim Petrarcha for one of your fraternity. + +_Angler._ And what was more natural than he should seek an inward +consolation for his diseased thoughts in so quiet and sweet a +recreation; and on the banks of his loved river indulge his thoughts +with those ‘Visions’ of the departed Laura, which Master Edmund +Spenser[57] hath rendered from the Italian into harmonious English +verse: + + ‘Within this wood, out of a rocke did rise + ‘A spring of water, mildly rumbling downe, + ‘Whereto approached not in anie wise + ‘The homely shepheard, nor the ruder clowne; + ‘But many Muses, and the Nymphes withall, + ‘That sweetly in accord did tune their voyce + ‘To the soft sounding of the waters fall; + ‘That my glad hart thereat did much rejoyce. + ‘But while herein I tooke my chiefe delight, + ‘I saw (alas) the gaping earth devoure + ‘The spring, the place, and all cleane out of sight; + ‘Which yet aggrieves my hart even to this houre, + ‘And wounds my soule with rufull memorie, + ‘To see such pleasures gon so suddenly.’ + +But now look around, and tell me, you that have seen famed VAUCLUSE, if +this dell be not more woody and umbrageous than the banks of the Sorga; +and look at the doublings and wrenches of the stream, which make it the +most singular place that can be imagined for natural beauties; and let +me tell you, they have been designed by Mr. Isaac Walton, junior, the +son of our master of angling. + +_Painter._ How! has Mr. Walton a son, and a limner too? + +_Angler._ You may take Mr. Cotton’s word for that. + +_Painter._ Then I shall be inclined to love him for more reasons than +one. + +_Angler._ Well, then, you must know, PISCATOR and VIATOR having fished +the ‘stream by inches,’ came lower down, and then suddenly VIATOR +exclaimed, ‘_But what have we got here? a rock springing up in the +middle of the river! This is one of the oddest sights that ever I saw._’ +To this PISCATOR replied, ‘_Why, Sir, from that Pike that you see +standing up there, distant from the rock,—that is called Pike Pool, and +young Mr. Isaac Walton was so pleased with it, as to draw it in +landskip, in black and white, in a blank book I have at home, as he has +done several prospects of my house also, which I keep for a memorial of +his favour_.’ + +_Painter._ A book full of landskips did you say! in black and white, and +all done by the hand of Mr. Izaak Walton, junior? that were indeed a +treasure to possess! But come;—let us repose ourselves along these shady +banks that Mr. Walton, and his son, and Mr. Cotton all loved, and that +deserve to be loved by every honest angler. See these wild flowers, +which spring around, and make a soft cushion for us; here is the wild +thyme, the Nottingham catchfly, and coltsfoot, and violets—— + +_Angler._ And what is no less germaine to the present argument,—a +handsome repast!—So let us fall to’t.—Here is an excellent cake, and +some hang’d martinmas beef; with a measure or two of mine Host’s good +ale. Are you prepared? + +_Painter._ I may warrant you, and no wise dainty after our long walk. + +_Angler._ O that we could now possess our dear accomplish’d Civilian, +that hath more learning than both you and I together! + +_Painter._ Aye; if he were here reclining with us by the side of PIKE +POOL, our entertainment would be complete: and let us not despair to +inveigle him hither next month of May. + +_Angler._ Well, I have known stranger things come to pass; and now, if +you please, we’ll drink his health in a loving cup of barley wine. + +_Painter._ A worthy toast! fill to the brim! + +_Angler._ To the brim. + +_Both._ Here is a health to our polite Mr. + +[Illustration: T. O. A.] + +_Angler._ A true lover of honest Izaak; and to hear him descant on the +gentle craft, you might declare him to be a practised disciple. + +_Painter._ Then what say you to his books of emblems and engraved +pictures of angling? and do not forget that ebony cabinet in his +chambers in Lincoln’s Inn, furnished with all ancient treatises of your +art, and other merry sports and pastimes of England. + +_Angler._ Aye; and I love him the more for his love of my masters: and +though he hath never wetted a line, nor soiled his hosen in pursuit of +the finny tribes, yet in imagination he hath done both one and the +other: and is no less versed in the philosophy of angling than learned +in Lord Coke’s Institutes, and the Law of Nations. + +_Angler._ I wish him all health; and may he ever possess Sir Christopher +Hatton’s moderate desires, and be able to sing, + + ‘I weigh not fortune’s frowne nor smile, + ‘I joye not much in worldly joyes; + ‘I seek not state, I reake not style, + ‘I am not fond of fancie’s toyes! + ‘I rest so pleased with what I have, + ‘I wish no more,—no more I crave.’ + +_Painter._ So say I. And now remember your promise, and give me the +huntsman’s arguments in praise of his pastime of hunting, when he was in +the company of Mr. Walton and the Falconer, all the while they walked to +Hodsden. + +_Angler._ Most willingly; and you are to know, when Mr. Falconer broke +off his discourse, and entreated VENATOR to say his best in praise of +the chase, that honest candid huntsman began with a commendation of the +earth, being that element upon which he drives his ‘pleasant wholesome +hungry trade;’ and then declared, that ‘hunting is a game for princes +and noble persons; it hath been highly prized in all ages; it was one of +the qualifications that Xenophon bestowed on his Cyrus, that he was a +hunter of wild beasts. Hunting trains up the younger nobility to the use +of manly exercises in their riper age. What more manly exercise than +hunting the wild boar, the stag, the buck, the fox, or the hare? How +doth it preserve health, and increase strength and activity?’ + +_Painter._ Well said, Mr. Huntsman; pr’ythee proceed. + +_Angler._ ‘And for the dogs that we use, who can commend their +excellency to that height which they deserve? How perfect is the hound +at smelling, who never leaves or forsakes his first scent, but follows +it through so many changes and varieties of other scents, even over and +in the water, and into the earth! What music doth a pack of dogs then +make to any man, whose heart and ears are so happy as to be set to the +tune of such instruments! How will a right greyhound fix his eye on the +best buck in the herd, single him out, and follow him, and him only, +through a whole herd of rascal game, and still know, and then kill him! +For my hounds, I know the language of them, and they know the language +and meaning of one another as perfectly as we know the voices of those +with whom we discourse daily.’ + +_Painter._ Aye, I warrant you, PISCATOR had need of all his eloquence to +overcome these winning arguments in favour of the noble sport of +hunting. And what more did VENATOR say? + +_Angler._ At length he gently excused himself from enlarging his +discourse, and said, ‘I will not be so uncivil to Mr. PISCATOR, as not +to allow him time for the commendation of angling, which he calls an +art, but doubtless it is an easy one; and, Mr. AUCEPS, I doubt we shall +hear a watery discourse of it; but I hope it will not be a long one.’ + +_Painter._ And how did PISCATOR reply to this pleasant jesting? + +_Angler._ He received it as a well-bred angler would do, and thus +replied: ‘Gentlemen, let not prejudice prepossess you.’ Do you observe +how enured Mr. Walton is to meekness and patience? And you shall see, by +and by, that he was able to bring forward a store of arguments and +examples to prove the greater excellence of his art of angling.——But +first, I am for another cup of ale. And here’s a health to Mr. Walton +and his son, and Mr. Cotton, his adopted son, that have often sat where +we now sit, and I have no doubt with hearts as thankful as I hope ours +to be. + +_Painter._ I drink to all three. + +_Angler._ And here’s a good wish for a south wind, that Mr. Thomas +Barker says, ‘blows the fly in the trout’s mouth,’[58] and good sport to +all anglers. + +_Painter._ To such of them as be honest men. + +_Angler._ Let me tell you, all true brothers of the angle are honest +men. + +_Painter._ Agreed, agreed.—So here’s a south wind to all anglers. And +now, whilst you entertain me with PISCATOR’S discourse, so suitable to +this occasion, I will design that rock and the pool, and these +umbrageous trees, which give us their shelter from the sun. + +_Angler._ I thank you, and shall esteem it as highly as the landskips of +Mr. Walton junior, that lately returned from his travels to Rome, in +company with his kinsman, pious Mr. Thomas Ken, Fellow of St. Mary +Winton College, in Winchester. + +_Painter._ How! did you say with Mr. Ken? he that is chaplain to Dr. +Morley, the self-denying Bishop of Winton, who maintains the primitive +doctrine and discipline, and has restored the daily service in his +Churches? + +_Angler._ The same;—and follows the Bishop’s example of an ascetic life +even in the midst of this luxurious age: and has lately writ ‘_A Manual +of Prayers and Devotions for the use of the Schollars of Winchester +School_,’[59] where he himself was trained to learning and good manners. + +_Painter._ Indeed! a book that most lovingly persuades young christians +to dedicate their tender age to the service of God. + +_Angler._ And I can never forget a discourse I once heard him preach to +the poor in St. John’s Church, in the Soke near Winchester, wherein he +exhorted them to the duties and privileges of holiness,—and with such a +sweet and melting eloquence—that when he told them of Christ’s whole +life of suffering for their sakes, he drew tears from many eyes. + +_Painter._ But how did it come to pass that he should travel with Mr. +Walton junior? + +_Angler._ Because of his affection for old Isaak, who had been his early +counsellor and guide, when he was left an orphan: for Mr. Walton had +married his sister, Mistress Ann Ken, ‘a woman of remarkable prudence, +and of the primitive piety:’ but she is now at rest, and ‘lyeth buried, +so much as could dye,’ in the blessed Virgin Mary’s Chapel in the +Cathedral in Worcester. + +_Painter._ Well: he could not make a more grateful return for the +father’s love, than to take upon him the part of Mentor to the son in +his foreign travels: but come, I remember me how the Host said, Mr. +Walton had good luck in this pool, and I desire to follow his example, +and wheedle a big trout for our supper. + +_Angler._ And so you shall; and because you have lost your hook, I’ll +show you how to fix another. + +_Painter._ _Grazie, Pescatore mio._ + +_Angler._ Let me find a hook with two horse hairs twisted together: here +it is, and you may see a loop at the end. Now mark, put the loop of the +fish-line through this loop of the hook, and then bring the hook through +the loop in the fish-line, and draw them tight together—so—and here is a +fresh brandling, and now you are fitted. + +_Painter._ O’ my word, ’tis neatly done; so, I have laid my rod. Come, +Sir, begin: How pleasant this is! + + Where in a brook + With a hook, + Or a lake + Fish we take, + There we sit + For a bit + Till we fish entangle. + None do here + Use to swear; + Oaths do fray, + Fish away. + We sit still + And watch our quill, + Fishers must not wrangle. + +But let us have the angler’s grave,—watery arguments: I am inquisitive +to hear what he will make against the Hunter. + +_Angler._ Not so grave, I promise you; but full of empassioned eloquence +and no less ingenuity. Thus then he began, ‘Gentlemen, let not prejudice +prepossess you. I confess my discourse is like to prove suitable to my +recreation, calm and quiet; we seldom take the name of God into our +mouths, but it is either to praise him or pray to him; if others use it +vainly in the midst of their recreations, so vainly as if they meant to +conjure, I must tell you it is neither our fault nor our custom; we +protest against it. But, pray remember, I accuse nobody; for as I would +not make a watery discourse, so I would not put too much vinegar into +it; nor would I raise the reputation of my own art, by the diminution or +ruin of another’s. And so much for the prologue to what I mean to say.’ +After that, with arguments excellently contrived, he praised his own +loved element and occupation, and used every allowable artifice to show +how they are more excellent than all others. I could now open to you +many passages of his discourse, that have all the natural fragrancy of +wild flowers scattered with a careless hand; and whilst he sets forth +the beauty of the works of God, you may be lifted to praise the Maker of +them for that most wonderful attribute—His love to man. Indeed, he +applied himself with so great a zeal to the commendation of angling, and +heightened his discourse by so many harmonious digressions and +testimonies to the pleasure and high esteem thereof, that, when they +arrived at Theobald’s Park, whither the Falconer was proceeding to a +friend’s house, who mewed a hawk for him, he declared to PISCATOR, ‘I +now part with you full of good thoughts, not only of yourself, but of +your recreation.’ And yet, let me tell you, he did but a short time +before profess to pity anglers, ‘because of their heavy contemptible +dull recreation.’ + +_Painter._ And after the Falconer was gone, did VENATOR express any +civil disposition towards anglers? + +_Angler._ Aye; for you have seen how his purpose was to hunt the Otter +at Hodsden, that was three miles further; and so he continued his walk +with Mr. Walton, who all the while pursued his discourse of fishes and +fishing. + +_Painter._ Indeed! then his discourse was three miles long! All the +while, say you, till they came to Hodsden? + +_Angler._ And not only so; but without any averseness in Mr. VENATOR. + +_Painter._ Then, I cannot but consider him the meekest and most polite +man in the world, to listen with a cheerful willingness to so long a +commendation of an art that he had ‘heard many merry huntsmen make sport +and scoff at.’ + +_Angler._ Be not so confident; stay a little, and I shall make you +confess that Mr. Walton adorned his arguments with such a matchless +commixture of learning and eloquence, as made his praise of angling like +sweet music even to the huntsman’s ear; for when they were left +together, after the Falconer was gone to his friend’s house, Mr. Walton +invited his companion to enlarge his discourse on hunting, and promised +he should ‘neither want time nor his attention to hear it.’ But this the +other gently declined, because he was kindled with a desire to hear how +Mr. Walton could persuade him that angling was ‘of great antiquity, and +a perfect art, and an art not easily attained to;’ the which if he could +do, he promised to ‘attend him a day or two a-fishing, and become his +scholar.’ Whereupon Mr. Walton was charmed with the hope of the +Huntsman’s conversion; and he did, by obvious arguments, possess his +mind with the same high and happy thoughts as himself had the enjoyment +of; for he convinced him how it was an excellent and a pleasant art ‘to +deceive a trout, that is more sharpsighted than any hawk,’ and how ‘the +man that hopes to be a good angler must not only bring an inquiring, +searching, observing wit, but he must bring a large measure of hope and +patience, and a love and a propensity to the art itself.’ + +_Painter._ And thus Mr. Walton, by an alluring suavity, persuaded the +Huntsman that angling was near a-kin to wisdom, ‘_all her ways +pleasantness, and her paths peace_!’[60] + +_Angler._ Doubtless,—and I would have you understand that Mr. Walton, +who is a known lover of truth, here declares that he has discovered, by +a practical acquaintance with his art, ‘the very sitting by the river’s +side is not only the quietest and fittest place for contemplation, but +will invite an angler to it; and settle his mind in a quiet repose, and +there make him fit for revelation.’ Then, after many more examples to +the lawfulness and high esteem of angling, he declares, that ‘whosoever +shall view the ancient ecclesiastical canons, shall find hunting to be +forbidden to Churchmen, as being a turbulent, toilsome, perplexing +recreation; and shall find angling allowed, as being a harmless +recreation that invites them to contemplation and quietness.’ + +_Painter._ This methinks is suitable; for so pious ministers may forth +into the meadows, and there sit and angle in a retirement, and unbend +their minds from too close study; and, moreover give glory to God, when +they see the rocks and waters that He hath formed, and the whole earth +spangled with flowers or other ornaments, for the service and delight of +mankind. + +_Angler._ And I believe that every hour of innocent freedom from the +cold-hearted humours of the world, and every secret instinct of +reverence and affection towards God is a step forward in our path to the +unseen glories of His presence. ‘And it is only while we are still that +we are like a tranquil water reflecting Heaven.’——Thus, VENATOR became +more and more charmed into an attention, until Mr. Walton brought him to +the persuasion that angling was ‘an employment full of various pleasures +and events;’ and after that declared, how ‘learned William Perkins, Dr. +Whitaker, and Dr. Nowel, sometime Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. +Paul, in London, so noted for his meek spirit, deep learning, prudence, +and piety, were dear lovers and constant practisers of angling.’ + +_Painter._ I dare not deny the commendations Mr. Walton bestows on +fishing, if peaceful Dr. Nowel gave his authority to the enjoyment of +it; for he was a most excellent example of ancient simplicity and +holiness; and who can tell the deep searchings of his spirit into the +truths revealed in the sacred scripture! as witness his Church +Catechism, and the part he took in drawing up the Articles of our Faith, +which shall be the guiding star of happy England amidst the rocks, and +shelves, and quicksands, and cloudy storms of ages yet to come. + +_Angler._ Alas! I have a sad forecasting of times, when the Church (and +through her side the Commonwealth of England) shall be again assailed by +wearisome censurers, the declared enemies of her polity and +ministrations,—and yet more of her endowments. + +_Painter._ Be not vexed with these unquiet thoughts: God hath His flock +in His own keeping: unless through some decay of piety in our Bishops +and Ministers of religion, by their neglecting of the sacraments, the +daily church services, the Fasts and Festivals, and primitive rules of +discipline, He should again be angered against the shepherds, and let +the wolves into the fold. + +_Angler._ Alas! for that day, if ever they should disparage and slur +those ministrations, which are their divine commission to the end of +time, and their bulwark!—for then would the love and reverence of men be +again changed into an averseness, and ill-speakers of church-government +provoke disunion, so as the very vail of the temple mould be rent in +twain.——But to return to the example of pious Dean Nowel, I may tell +you, this most wise man was ‘a dear lover and constant practiser of +angling as any age can produce; and his custom was to spend, besides his +fixed hours of prayer, a tenth part of his time in angling, and also of +his revenue, and usually all his fish, amongst the poor, that inhabited +near to those rivers in which it was caught, saying often, “that charity +gave life to religion;” and at his return to his house he would praise +God, he had spent that day free from worldly trouble; both harmlessly +and in a recreation that became a churchman.’ And more I have to say; +for you will not deny to Sir Henry Wotton your partial opinion and +praise. + +_Painter._ That I will not, because I know he was a man of notable +qualities; and one that was a lover of excellent artificers in limning +and sculpture, and willingly afforded his ear and his purse to every +poor man that was so happy as to gain access to him. + +_Angler._ Then I have but this more to say, namely, how Mr. Walton +declares, that ‘Sir Henry Wotton, whose experience, learning, wit, and +cheerfulness, made him one of the delights of mankind, was also a dear +lover and frequent practiser of the art of angling, of which he would +say, “’Twas an employment for his idle time, which was not then idly +spent: for angling was, after a tedious study, a rest to his mind, a +cheerer of his spirits, a diverter of sadness, a calmer of unquiet +thoughts, a moderator of passions, a procurer of contentedness.”’ + +_Painter._ Sir, you could not more certainly move me to favourable +thoughts of angling, than by persuading me to believe that Sir Henry +Wotton had a love for this pastime. + +_Angler._ I am glad to hear you say so; and now, after this long +digression, I intend only to tell you, that those irresistible arguments +wherewith Mr. Walton adorned his discourse, brought the Huntsman and +himself to Hodsden, that was the end of their journey. And then Mr. +Walton said, ‘I am glad your patience hath held out so long, for my +discourse hath brought us within sight of the Thatched House.’ + +To this the other replied: ‘Sir, you have angled me on with much +pleasure to the Thatched House, and I now find your words true; that +good company makes the way seem short; for, trust me, Sir, I thought we +had wanted three miles of this house, till you showed it to me. But now +we are at it, we’ll turn into it, and refresh ourselves with a cup of +drink and a little rest.’ + +‘Most gladly, Sir,’ replied PISCATOR, ‘and we’ll drink a civil cup to +all the Otter-hunters that we are to meet to-morrow.’ Then VENATOR +answered him, ‘That we will, Sir, and to all the lovers of angling too; +of which number I am now willing to be one myself; for by the help of +your discourse and company I have put on new thoughts, both of the art +of angling and of all that profess it: and if you will but meet me +to-morrow at the time and place appointed, and bestow one day with me +and my friends on hunting the Otter, I will dedicate the next two days +to wait on you, and we two will for that time do nothing but angle, and +talk of fish and fishing.’ Then PISCATOR cheerfully took him at his +word, and said: ‘’Tis a match, Sir; I’ll not fail you, (God willing,) to +be at Amwell Hill to-morrow morning before sun rising.’ + +_Painter._ A more sweet and loving discourse I have not heard. I declare +to you I am moved by a sensible charm to listen to these ingenuous +strangers, as they enliven each other by an accidental dialogue on +angling. + +_Angler._ And who would not desire that he might spend a fine fresh +morning once a year at least in Mr. Walton’s company, and hear him +allege his plausible arguments to teach men to be peaceful anglers? And +if I might persuade you to read all he says in praise of his art, you +would find such a harmony and so many suitable colours in the +composition of his book, that you might declare it to be a picture +designed with all the graces of Titian, and the sweetness of Correggio. + +_Painter._ Well, brother, this I will declare, that I am like the +gentleman Falconer, and begin to love both Mr. Walton and his art; nay, +I have listened with a secret pleasure to his conversation, and hope to +hear what entertainment his friend the huntsman provided for him, when +they two met at Amwell to hunt the Otter. + +_Angler._ That you shall hear by and by, but first let me see your +sketch of _Pike Pool_. + +_Painter._ There it is, and the best I can make it. + +_Angler._ It is indeed a skilful picture: all of a just and natural +proportion: and now, because you have had so much civility and patience, +I will make you some requital, and go a-fishing with you for an hour; +but look, you have a nibble; for your quill is out of sight. + +_Painter._ And so it is! now I hope to find a good trout to my hook—how +shall I play with him? + +_Angler._ Take up your rod, and try if it be a little one or a big one. + +_Painter._ It is but ‘a diminutive gentleman.’ + +_Angler._ Then throw him in again, and put on another worm:—there, you +have a second! + +_Painter._ Now! I warrant this is a mettlesome fish. + +_Angler._ Then answer him conformably. + +_Painter._ Ah!—I am but an _ignoramus_, with all my pride; nevertheless +I hope I shall not lose him, for he will be worth his weight in gold, +only because I took him in this very spot; and if I catch him, I’ll draw +his likeness in colours at my leisure.—He goes away at a dash—I fear my +tackling will not hold out. + +_Angler._ I am a hostage for the line, if you will practice him +pliantly—but do not jerk him. + +_Painter._ I beseech you take the rod and show me. + +_Angler._ Well then—you must cherish him a bit—thus—and now straighten +him by degrees drawing in your line. + +_Painter._ See how he doubles back. + +_Angler._ Ay: but I have him in hand—so—now do you take the rod again, +and puzzle him, and give me the net—it is well done—this way with him—I +have the Hector, and I declare to you it is the largest fish we have +taken to-day. + +_Painter._ Oh, brother, I am quite in love with this pastime of +angling—it is the pleasantest thing in the world—and I profess myself +from henceforth a willing disciple of Mr. Walton. + +_Angler._ Indeed! I am charmed to hear you make this honest declaration; +and I may tell you, for your encouragement, that you are like to prove a +handy craftsman, so let us go lower down to the fresh streams. + +_Painter._ I have almost had enough: and I cannot hope to be pleased +with any place after this woody dell. I have never seen the like for a +retirement. + +_Angler._ Well, as you please: but what is yonder above our heads, which +is overshadowed by the ash trees? methinks it looks like a hole in the +rock. + +_Painter._ I believe it is, and if you are so inclined, let us scramble +up and look into it: perchance we shall make a discovery. + +_Angler._ With all my heart; lead on: but have a care, for it is a +scraggy place, and you may hap to come down again heels over head. + +_Painter._ Look to yourself; a Carolus to a groat that I’m there first. + +_Angler._ Say you so? then pr’ythee let your footing keep pace with your +words, for I am after you. + +_Painter._ Heigho!—stop there,—I have slipped up; beseech you—give me a +hand. + +_Angler._ Ha, ha! Signor, whose somersault was that? try again:—but see, +I am up first,—and what a concealed cavern is here, ‘covered over with +rude grown briers,’[61] and big enough for a man to stand upright in, if +he desired a shelter.[62] + +_Painter._ Ay, and we have seen the times that such a cave had been +worth a king’s crown, when he that was near to losing one, was compelled +to hide himself from his pursuers. + +_Angler._ Let us pray God that the nation may rest from her +troubles;—that we may sit ‘_every man under his vine and under his +fig-tree_;’ and angle when he will, in peace beneath the shade of +sycamine trees, free from all contentions and jars. + +_Painter._ This, I hope, may be our happy lot; and now we have six +braces and a half of trouts; so if you please, let us back to +Alstonfields; for we have two miles to walk, and the sun is going down. + +_Angler._ I am quite willing to be at home, for I begin to tire; here is +the way. + +_Painter._ So—we are come again to the steep hill by Narrow Dale: I wish +we were past it. + +_Angler._ There are some houses;—and a woman standing at her +cottage-door—shall we follow the example of good Dean Nowel, and make +her happy with the contribution of some of our fishes? + +_Painter._ I had the same thought. + +_Angler._ Here, good woman; will it please you accept this couple of +trouts, and I dare believe you’ll know how to cook them. + +_Cottager._ I humbly thank you, gentlemen, and it is not the first time +I have dressed trouts: for noble Mr. Cotton bestows a great part of his +fish upon us. He hath a charitable heart towards his poor neighbours: +and for gentlemen anglers, he loves to see them take their sport in his +river. + +_Angler._ That I am sure of—we wish you a good evening. + +_Cottager._ Your servant, kind gentlefolk; and I thank you too. + +_Angler._ So—we are arrived once more at the King’s Head, and there is +mine host at his door looking about for us. Well, Mr. Marsh! + +_Host._ Sirs, you are welcome; and I hope you have found good sport in +our river Dove. + +_Angler._ Exceeding good; see,—here are some brace of trouts for supper: +and now we’ll rest ourselves on this bench till they be ready. + +_Host._ I’ll bring them in a trice, for ‘_the kettle is set upon a quick +fire of wood, and the liquor’s boiling up_.’ + +_Angler._ That’s well! and, Host, ‘_whilst your fish is boiling, beat up +the butter for your sauce_.’ + +_Host._ It shall be done, Sir! and ‘_I’ll strew it plentifully with +shaved horseradish and a little pounded ginger_.’ + +_Angler._ He remembers every word how Mr. Cotton taught VIATOR to dress +a trout or grayling, which questionless is of all other the best way. + +_Painter._ That I believe. — — — + +And here comes mine Host again with the trouts:—they are served as +quickly as we could desire—so do you say grace, brother.—Amen. + +_Host._ Sir, they are good sized fish, and exceeding well conditioned. + +_Angler._ The biggest is my brother’s, that he took in the Pike Pool, +after you were gone home; and he has declared it to be his purpose, from +this day, to call himself a scholar of Mr. Walton, and endeavour to +learn the secrets of our craft. + +_Host._ Indeed, Sir! I am heartily glad of this—for I have heard Mr. +Walton and Mr. Cotton say, when men are quietly employed a-fishing, it +teaches them to lay aside uneasy thoughts and cares, being a pastime +that is full of hope; and this gentleman gives promise to be a skilful +artist with his angle. + +_Angler._ True—and I’ll drink his health in a glass of Staffordshire +ale—so make us a loving cup, with toasted bread and sugar, the same as +yesterday. + +_Host._ Sir! it shall be done as you desire.—And quickly.— + +_Angler._ That is well—come brother, here’s to you and your honest +Master, Mr. Izaak Walton, and I will not forget Mr. Charles Cotton, for +you must now look upon him as an adopted brother. + +_Painter._ Trust me, I want no persuasions to love Mr. Cotton, who hath +provided such delights by the river Dove, and made them all ‘sacred to +anglers;’ my mind is full of the train of those pleasures. And now +resolve me this question: Why may we not divert ourselves another day or +two on the margin of this fine river? + +_Angler._ Are you in earnest? + +_Painter._ Indeed am I; and if you are so inclined, I’ll be wholly +disposed of by you. + +_Angler._ Why, that’s brave! I accept your challenge; and seeing you +have abandoned yourself to my conduct, I will persuade you to walk back +to the town of Ashbourne through the whole valley of Dove Dale. + +_Painter._ That is agreed. Oh! I am full of joyful thoughts of rare +angling; and perchance we may yet find some beautiful landskips; +nevertheless, methinks, we have seen the choicest parts of the river: is +it not so? + +_Angler._ Of that I shall ask leave to say nothing; do you but wait till +to-morrow and when you are come to the lower streams towards Ashbourne, +I will remit the question to your own free judgment. + +_Painter._ Well, I have suddenly a thought come into my mind. + +_Angler._ What is that? I hope it is to give us a song, for I know you +have not been denied a voice or an ear; so tune up your music, and after +that I’ll make some attempts myself, and sing an innocent song. + +_Painter._ Anon—anon—but now tell me, why should not we two happy +anglers, that have found our walking legs up and down the slopes of +these glades, stretch them again to-morrow morning, and go to the higher +parts of the Dove, and see how this river ‘_springs from a contemptible +fountain_,’ that Mr. Cotton says, ‘_he can cover with his hat_.’ + +_Angler._ On the word of an angler, you are the strangest man that ever +I saw! Let me tell you, the path there and back is near upon twenty +miles, + + ‘Up hill and down dell, + ‘By rock and by fell.’ + +_Painter._ What care I for twenty miles, so I may but drink a cup from +that fountain of the Dove to the health of my master, Mr. Izaak Walton? + + Oh! the gallant fisher’s life, + It is the best of any; + ’Tis full of pleasure, void of strife, + And ’tis beloved by many. + + _Both._ Other joys + Are but toys, + Only this + Lawful is; + For our skill + Breeds no ill, + But content and pleasure. + + _Angler._ In a morning up we rise, + Ere Aurora’s peeping; + Drink a cup to wash our eyes, + Leave the sluggard sleeping. + + _Both._ Then we go, + To and fro, + With our knacks + At our backs, + _To the Dove, + That we love_, + If we have the leisure. + +_Angler._ Excellent, excellent—‘_you have conquered me_;’ and to speak +the truth, I but tried if you were in earnest; for once on a time I +walked by myself to the Dove Head, and I may tell you all the way is as +full of fair sweet prospects as any can desire that love angling and the +wild hadder of the moors; so let us be gone to-morrow before the sun +rising. + +_Painter._ I care not how early; and now every one to bed with a +prayerful heart, that he may secretly fetch down his consolation from +Heaven, and make every thing contribute to his gradual ascent thither. + +_Angler._ Good night, all. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + CHAPTER IV. + _The_ Angler _and the_ Painter _take a pleasant walk to the source of + the_ Dove. + + + _Angler._ + +How now! brave Gentleman, how fares it with you this morning? + +_Painter._ Trust me, I am full of joyful expectations. + +_Angler._ Then you do not repent your sudden challenge to walk across +the moors to the Dove Head? + +_Painter._ Oh, Sir, never fear me. + + ‘Hark! the lark at Heaven’s gate sings + ‘And Phœbus ‘gins to arise, + ‘His steeds to water at those springs + ‘On chalic’d flowers that lies.’ + +The air of these mountains hath a wholesome freshness that gives wings +to the spirit. + +_Angler._ Very true; and I have the authority of learned Sir William +Temple to declare, that health and long life are to be found on the Peak +of Derbyshire, and the heaths of Staffordshire. Are you for breakfast? + +_Painter._ Ay! and look, our host has provided for us in this arbour in +his garden; see, how it is grown over with jessamines and honeysuckles. + +_Angler._ And here is a hedge of sweet-briers—it all breathes fragrancy. + +_Painter._ It is very pleasant; and now let us discuss our breakfast +with all freedom, as honest anglers ought to do: here’s new baked bread, +and milk and honey; and here’s a bowl of curds and whey, with nutmeg and +ginger. Are you for that? + +_Angler._ With all my heart. + +_Painter._ What say you, brother; is not here a most fresh and +unmatchable morning for travellers? Do but look over those hills; and +there are the blue moors, backed by the burnished light of the sun +rising behind them. What can be more glorious? + +_Painter._ Nothing, nothing—see how he ‘_cometh forth as a bridegroom +from his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race_.’— + + Pack, clouds, away, and welcome day, + With night we banish sorrow; + Sweet air, blow soft, mount, larks, aloft, + To give my love good morrow. + Wings from the wind, to please the mind, + Notes from the lark I’ll borrow; + Bird, plume thy wing, nightingales, sing, + To give my love good morrow, + To give my love good morrow. + Notes from them both I’ll borrow. + + Wake from thy nest, robin redbreast, + Sing, birds, in every furrow; + And from each hill let music shrill, + Give my fair love good morrow. + Blackbird and thrush in every bush, + Stare, linnet, and cock sparrow, + You pretty elves, among yourselves, + Sing my fair love good morrow. + To give my love good morrow, + Sing, birds, in every furrow. + +_Angler._ Excellent well!—it is a song of Mr. Thomas Heywood? + +_Painter._ The same; and now it is your turn. + +_Angler._ Let me consider a while; I’ll give you a ballad of John +Welbye. Or stay—now, I have one: + + In pride of May, + The fields are gay, + The birds do sing, so sweetly sing— + + So nature would + That all things could, + With joy, begin the spring. + + Then, lady dear, + Do you appear + In beauty, like the spring; + + I dare to say, + The birds that day + More cheerfully will sing.[63] + +And now we have done breakfast, and I am ready to attend you. + +_Painter._ Well, then, let us be going. I am with you, lead on. You +remember how the host told us there were two roads to Beresford: let us +take the coach road by the left for a change; and now we are at the top +look before you, for there again is Beresford Hall. + +_Angler._ Oh! that Mr. Charles Cotton were now there! and we might be +invited to receive some instructions in fly-fishing! + +_Painter._ And my master, honest Izaak, with his bottom fishing,—so +please you, brother. + +_Angler._ That I heartily wish too.—But see we are once more arrived at +the brink of the river. + +_Painter._ Do we cross over this fordable place? + +_Angler._ Nay—that would be roundabout to Hartington; and mine host +advised us rather to turn underneath those rocks which are close to Pike +Pool; for there we may pass the river, and have a pleasant prospect of +the fishing-house; and then by a nearer path across some fields to +Hartington, and after that I can find my way. + +_Painter._ With all my heart; so here we are again: see the turfy bank +where we had the enjoyment of Mr. Walton’s book; and the cobbling stones +across the Dove. + +_Angler._ The same; and so take care, or you may have an unlucky tumble +into the river. + +_Painter._ Over with you, Sir!—I am an angler now, and fear not ‘the +element I trade in.’ + +_Angler._ Bravely, Mr. Pictor, you have a dexterous management with your +heels. Now to the right by this high bank: and look how the river winds +through the meadows, above the fishing-house; and there you see before +you Hartington Church; if you please, we may pass to the left of the +town; and now, for a little while, we must bid farewell to the Dale. + +_Painter._ I am sorry to hear it; our pleasures are all too short-lived: +methinks I could spend all the month of May near to Mr. Cotton’s +fishing-grounds. + +_Angler._ That we might do with great contentment; but for to-day we +must rove among the moorlands; and if some of them are barren and bleak, +yet they will be set off to advantage by fresh streams, and valleys, and +flocks, and herds. Then remember, though we are on pilgrimage, we may +sit down on turf cushions when we are weary, and sing merry songs, in +despite of care, ay, and of fortune too, that ‘rackets with man as with +her tennis ball.’ + +_Painter._ And I am resolved to take a pleasure in all I see; but what +is yonder hill? + +_Angler._ That is Banktop; and there is Carderlow Hill, in +Staffordshire. But now prepare yourself; for you are come to a busy +watermill, and yonder you may see Ludwell Spring, that within a few +yards of its rising, falls into the Dove. + +_Painter._ How say you? is this the very source of a river gushing with +so sudden a force, and leaping out of a cavern in a considerable stream +from underneath the ground? + +_Angler._ This ought to be noted in your blank book; for it confirms an +observation of Mr. Cotton, that ‘_the Dove from its head for a mile or +two is a black water, because it springs from the moss; but in a few +miles travel is so clarified by the addition of several clear and very +great springs bigger than itself which gush out of the lime-stone rocks, +that before it comes to my house, which is but six or seven miles from +its source, you will find it one of the purest crystalline streams you +have seen_.’ + +_Painter._ That is true; for, look, before these waters are joined, the +Dove is a darkish colour. But here she comes away, rejoicing in the +clearness of Ludwell Brook: and so they hurry themselves in company to +the mill with a mutual alacrity. + +_Angler._ There let them go, and to-morrow we shall meet them by Hanson +Toot.—But who comes here? + +_Painter._ It is a little country damsel. + +_Angler._ Good morning, pretty maiden. What are you come for? + +_Maiden of the Mill._ To fetch some water, Sir. + +_Painter._ I pray you be civil, and let me taste some of this clear +spring of the Ludwell from your pitcher. + +_Maiden._ You are welcome, Sir. I’ll dip it in. + +_Painter._ Thank you, gentle maid; ’tis as cold as an icicle; and what +is your name? + +_Maiden._ Margery, so please you, Sir. + +_Angler._ Well, my pretty Margery; we are greatly beholden to you; and +here is a half Sevil piece to buy ribands for Sundays and holidays; and +so farewell. + +_Maiden._ Your servant, kind Gentlemen, and I thank you both. + +_Angler._ God speed you, pretty Margery; and may you live as harmless +and happy as you now appear to be, and some day or other walk to church +on flowers. Come, brother, let us be forward; for you and I must up to +Wheeldon Hill, that towers to the skies yonder. + +_Painter._ With all my heart: farewell, Margery.——What a secret charm is +in a youthful innocency, that hath not put off the white garments washed +in the fountain of baptism! I have heard it said, a child’s mind gives a +pattern of a church temper; it looks to have come fresh from heaven, and +to be the only thing fit to re-ascend to the celestial presence. + +_Angler._ And that, we may believe, was the reason of our Redeemer +exhorting mankind to have the mind of children. And did he not openly +declare that their angels do always behold the face of their Heavenly +Father? meaning their guardian angels. + +_Painter._ Are you of that opinion? + +_Angler._ I would not take upon myself to pry into the vast secrets of +celestial intelligences: but, because the church declares that God hath +‘_ordained and constituted the services of angels in a wonderful +order_,’ and prays that ‘_they may succour and defend us on earth_,’ I +am not denied the consolation to think how those etherial choirs have a +sweet ministration on our behalf, as channels of grace; else why doth +St. Chrysostom exhort us to pray for the angel of peace, if they are not +able to keep us out of heart-aching sins? And if I could fix in my mind +the assured image of one such angelic presence as my secret companion, +this vale of tears would become a delightful Eden—this desert a near +approach to heaven: for then it would be my most pleasant and glorious +employment to lift up my feeble voice in the cherubic hymn; my soul +would be faithful and devout,—all things would become pure,—all things +holy,—all things peaceful and lovely. And thus following my unseen +guide, I should have a blessed fore-intimation of the realms of light, +and my earthly services be a preparation for the awful presence of the +Highest. Methinks I could never defile my body, which is the temple of +God, nor permit a bad thought, or a sordid desire to taint the sanctuary +of my immortal spirit,—If I knew that would put to flight my angel, and +compel its winged sorrowful retreat back to the courts of heaven,—not +with triumphant Hosannas for a victory over sin and death, but to make a +record of my fatal discomfiture to its weeping companions of the skies. +Therefore, do not deny me the liberty to believe that God’s bright +angels throng invisibly through the universe, and ‘_encamp about them +that fear Him_.’ + +_Painter._ Nay, I wish to be of your opinion, and that we have an +interest in the prayers of ministering spirits, and so may attain unto +some likeness to them: yet remember that they themselves are kept by the +grace of ONE that is above all principalities and powers in heaven or in +earth. And we have this surpassing relish of hope, that as His divine +unerring eye beholds us with the love of a Mediator, and His Spirit is +within and over us as a Comforter, infusing an immortal power into the +inmost soul, we have the confirmation of a continual grace, that +imprints a more sublime virtue than the presence of angels or +archangels—yea, or of cherubim and seraphim, who veil their faces before +Him. Oh! wherefore is it that we cannot attune our thoughts to the high +employment of the invisible Church, who with loud voices sound forth +joyful hallelujahs to GOD? + +_Angler._ Because, brother, through our want of faith our eyes are +blinded, that we cannot realize the presence of the heavenly world, +which, nevertheless, is around and about us, as surely as these +mountains and these skies. Give me leave to tell you, the Church always +has, and, notwithstanding the decay of piety, does now acknowledge the +‘_communion of saints_,’—to wit, that the saints now on earth have +spiritual fellowship with ‘_the general assembly and Church of the +first-born, which are written in Heaven_.’[64] + +_Painter._ How mean you? with the saints departed and admitted into the +presence of Christ? + +_Angler._ So it is. I speak not now of the dignity that is wrought in +holy persons by the permitted communion with God, according to the last +prayer of our Saviour, that they might be one with Himself, (_as thou, +Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in +us_,)[65]—nor of the fulfilment of His rich promise, that His Father and +Himself would _love them, and come unto them, and make their abode with +them_,[66] nor of the inestimable gift of the Comforter, which should +_abide with them for ever_, (_for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in +you_:)[67]—neither will I now further insist on the blessed assurance in +Scripture of the spiritual communion of saints on earth with God’s +angels, who are _ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them +who shall be heirs of salvation_,[68] yea, and rejoice over them, yea, +and wait for their souls, to carry them triumphantly into Abraham’s +bosom.—But, blessed be God! besides all this, we have assurance of the +love of that innumerable company who wait in hope of the bright morning +of the resurrection, who whilst on earth were renewed in the image of +our God, and endued with the spirit of Christ,—even those successive +generations that have departed this life in faith, and now made perfect, +and inhabiters of the supernal City. Blessed be God! they are secret +witnesses to our desires, our penitential tears, our fastings, our +inward struggles, our outward crosses,—are present with us in the Holy +Church, joining in those very sacraments and prayers which were their +own comfort and support in _their_ day of probation. Nay, death itself +hath no power to accomplish the separation of those we have most dearly +loved:—the grave hath closed over their mortality, they have escaped +from their outward perishable frame, and have winged their way to +unimaginable joys; but it may be they are with us in unseen +communion.—What if their spirits mingle with ours in a wonderful order? +and although we presume not to fathom the mystery beyond what is +revealed in Scripture, may we not join with them and with the ten +thousand times ten thousand hosts of heaven, in praise of the eternal +unity of the Godhead, that hath given us this earnest of a glorious +immortality? + +_Painter._ Oh! the unsearchable riches that are even now within our +grasp, if we knew to put forth our hand and reach them! + +_Angler._ But alas! because of the natural averseness of our souls from +heavenly contemplations, and our too intense fixedness on the unreal +pleasures of the world, we cannot be warmed and affected with the +kindlings of holy desires. + +_Painter._ ’Tis true, yet strange,——for a religious spirit is the +highest gift of God; it is an incense that rises perfumed to His lofty +throne, from whence it flows, and gives peace of soul which setteth at +naught all the chances of fortune. + +_Angler._ True, for to be spiritually minded _is peace_, and by the bond +of peace we are kept in the unity of the Spirit. + +_Painter._ And that peace is nowhere else to be found but only in the +Church, as witness those choice verses of Mr. George Herbert, who +dedicated his muse to the Divine Majesty, and his life to a christian +holiness. + + Sweet Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave, + Let me once know. + I sought thee in a secret cave, + And ask’d if Peace were there. + A hollow wind did seem to answer, No: + Go seek elsewhere. + + I did; and going did a rainbow note; + Surely, thought I, + This is the Lace of Peace’s Coat: + I will search out the matter. + But while I lookt, the clouds immediately + Did break and scatter. + + Then went I to a garden, and did spie + A gallant flower, + The crown Imperial: Sure, said I, + Peace at the root must dwell. + But when I digg’d, I saw a worm devour + What show’d so well. + + At length I met a rev’rend good old man; + Whom when for Peace + I did demand, he thus began: + There was a Prince of old + At _Salem_ dwelt, who lived with good encrease + Of Flock and Fold. + + He sweetly liv’d; yet sweetness did not save + His life from foes. + But after death out of his grave + There sprang twelve stalks of wheat; + Which many wondering at, got some of those + To plant and set. + + It prosper’d strangely, and did soon disperse + Through all the earth: + For they that taste it do rehearse + That vertue lies therein; + A secret vertue, bringing peace and mirth + By flight of sin. + + Take of this grain, which in my garden grows, + And grows for you; + Make bread of it, and that repose + And peace, which every where + With so much earnestness you do pursue, + Is only there.[69] + +_Angler._ You are in the right: the meaning of Mr. George Herbert was, +that peace may only be found in the unity of the Holy Church, which is +_built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ +being the chief corner stone_; and St. Chrysostom hath said the name +CHURCH is a name of harmony;—and truly,—for he declares it to be a place +of angels and of archangels, a palace of God, heaven itself;—and her +anointed ministers are the bearers of God’s faithful message;—baptizing +all people into her one communion, dispensing to all the eucharistic +Body and Blood of Christ their Redeemer, and catechizing all, young and +old, in the holy mysteries of the Scriptures, which display the glory of +God in the government and redemption of the world. + +_Painter._ ‘_How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that +bringeth good tidings, that publisheth Peace._’ + +_Angler._ And when the prophet would raise up the heart of the afflicted +Church, ‘_tossed with tempest and not comforted_,’ he saith, ‘_Behold, I +will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with +sapphires, and I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of +carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children +shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the Peace of thy +people._’——But we grow too serious—let us be forward, or we shall scarce +reach the end of our walk. + +_Painter._ I am with you: and what big mountains are they, so dark in +the distance? they must be ten miles off. I hope we shall have nothing +to say to them. + +_Angler._ Trust me, brother,—and something beyond them too, if you would +see Dove Head to-day; but they are not so far as you think, and when you +come to them, you’ll like them none the worse for their steepness. But +now we are arrived at Pilsbury, you may see Broad Meadow—that is a +handsome mansion-house on the other side of the stream; and this is +Wheeldon Hill. + +_Painter._ Well, to be sure, he is not so difficult and tedious as he +looked to be from Ludwell. + +_Angler._ I declare no man living can trudge better than you do. And now +you may find Crowdey Cote Bridge in the bottom, and a spring that +contributes all its clearness to the Dove; and thus I have brought you +to Sterndale; and so let us pass to the right. + +_Painter._ Stay awhile, brother; methinks we are leaving our Dove, and +that I have no mind to do. + +_Angler._ Let me persuade you, for it is only to bring you back to her +again with greater contentment; so you may leave her to her own careless +pleasures in those flowery meads, whilst you and I pass through Glutton +Dale; and here we have dipped into the valley, and are come to the base +of the hill, that looked so towering some miles off. + +_Painter._ Indeed! we are arrived at it quickly. Has this mountain a +name hereabouts? + +_Angler._ Ay, and a well known one—with its elder brother, that is twice +as high; they are the Great and Little Cromes; and there you may now see +them before you, with cattle feeding on the very pinnacle. + +_Painter._ That is a strange sight; I wonder how they clambered up such +a steepy crag. + +_Angler._ And see, I am as good as my word, for here we are come again +to the Dove;—so follow me over this wooden bridge into Staffordshire. + +_Painter._ Is this your River Dove? She is not grown bigger since last +we parted. + +_Angler._ You are in the right; she is less and less,—and darker than we +remember her: for her path has been through some boggy mountainous ways; +but like the eyes of a Moorish beauty, she is clear and sparkling, and +is now hurrying on to the sweet prospects about Mr. Cotton’s +fishing-house that we so lately passed: and do you mark how she declines +the invitations of these little rocks and glades, and waterdocks, and +shaly banks that hope to detain her, breaking away from them with a +disdainful murmur. + +_Painter._ And not without reason, for the prospects hereabouts are +middling. + +_Angler._ Nay—turn yourself, and look at those high mountains: the two +Cromes are now behind us, where the flocks and cattle still browse on +the summits. + +_Painter._ How, say you? Not those Cromes you spoke of an hour ago? + +_Angler._ The same; but now they present themselves in a bold profile, +and are broken into sharper edges. + +_Painter._ Sharp indeed,—for the crags on the top are of such a +narrowness, that I would not believe the cattle might stand there, if I +did not see them do it: and, for my own part, I would not go over those +rocks ‘_for a thousand pounds_.’ + +_Angler._ ‘_Nor tumble off them for two._’ + +_Painter._ It is ‘an odd country indeed:’—but halt, brother, what is +that I see? + +_Angler._ Having past by Winterside, that looked so cold and rocky, we +are come to Washgate; and tell me what you think of the landskip before +you? + +_Painter._ You have taken me quite by a surprise, for here is a +prodigious passage in the mountains that for rudeness of nature cannot +be exceeded: methinks we are come to the world’s end. + +_Angler._ See how the Dove is suddenly forced down these rocky ledges, +and is then joined by another and as rapid a stream,—Calshaw Brook, that +is scarce deserving of a name,—yet gushes down with a merry loud noise. + +_Painter._ I am enchanted with this wilderness: but I will confess your +mountainous ways have put my metal to the proof, and I begin to be +weary; so I beseech you let us sit awhile, that I may do my best to make +a picture of these high rocks; and I shall ask you to read me some +passages from my master’s Book of Angling; and I remember how, because +his happy companion, VENATOR, promised to dedicate two days to angling +in his company, it was agreed they should first bestow the next day to +hunt the Otter. + +_Angler._ You shall hear what they did after they met the next morning, +just as the sun was rising. For you are to know, as they came to Amwell +Hill, the dogs had just put down an Otter. Then, after a short greeting, +Mr. VENATOR told him to ‘look down at the bottom of the hill there, in +that meadow, chequered with water-lilies and lady-smocks, there you may +see what work they make. Look! look! all busy; men and dogs, dogs and +men—all busy.’ Then PISCATOR declared; ‘he was glad to see so many dogs, +and more men, all in pursuit of the Otter: let us compliment no longer, +but join unto them. Come, honest VENATOR, let us be gone, let us make +haste; I long to be doing—no reasonable hedge or ditch shall hold me.’ + +_Painter._ Was it Mr. Izaak said that? + +_Angler._ Ay, ay; quiet Mr. Walton, that carries himself with so +singular a sweetness and temper—but he hath a cheerful spirit, and +withal a sweet instinct towards innocent recreations: and so he was +suddenly transported, and ‘longed to be doing.’ Think how the meek +angler promised ‘no reasonable hedge or ditch should hold him.’ I can +almost think I see him now with his staff, hasting to the bottom of the +hill, where ‘the men and dogs, dogs and men, were all busy.’ + +_Painter._ And tell me what they saw when they got there? + +_Angler._ They met a Gentleman Huntsman, that was cheering on his dogs +to take the Otter; so they enquired where he found this Otter; and he +replied, ‘Marry, Sir, we found her a mile from this place a-fishing: she +has this morning eaten the greatest part of this trout; she has only +left thus much of it, as you see, and was fishing for more; when we came +we found her just at it: but we were here very early, we were here an +hour before sun-rise, and have given her no rest since we came; surely +she will hardly escape all these dogs and men.’ Then, after a short +conversation, he bade them follow him, for he saw the ‘Otter above water +at vent, and the dogs close with him; I now see, he will not last +long—follow, therefore, my masters, follow; for Sweetlips was like to +have him at this last vent.’ Then you may be sure they followed, and +with a great eagerness: then VENATOR cried out: ‘Oh me! all the horses +are got over the river, what shall we do now? shall we follow them over +the water?’ ‘No, Sir, no;’ (said the Otter-huntsman) ‘be not so eager; +stay a little, and follow me, for both they and the dogs will be +suddenly on this side again, I warrant you, and the otter too, it may +be. Now have at him with Killbuck, for he vents again.’ Then VENATOR, +having a natural propensity to all kinds of sports with dogs, heartily +exclaimed, ‘Marry! so he does: for, look! he vents in that corner. Now, +now, Ringwood has him: now he is gone again, and has bit the poor dog. +Now, Sweetlips has her; hold her, Sweetlips! now all the dogs have her; +some above, and some under water: but now, now she is tired, and past +losing. Come, bring her to me, Sweetlips. Look! It is a Bitch-otter, and +she has lately whelped. Let’s go to the place where she was put down; +and not far from it you will find all her young ones, I dare warrant +you, and kill them all too.’ + +_Painter._ Excellent! What a joyful and natural confusion of the +huntsmen! ‘_men and dogs, dogs and men, all busy_.’ + +_Angler._ And after that they went to an honest alehouse, where they had +a cup of good barley wine, and sang _Old Rose_, and so they rejoiced +together, and then bade farewell with mutual good thoughts and wishes; +and so honest Mr. Walton and his scholar went to their sport of angling. + +_Painter._ Very pleasant! what a natural sprightliness of manner in +handling his subject! and such masterly touches of art, that it is all +like an excellent piece of painting. But now I have done my poor draught +of the landskip, so let us forward; methinks Dove-head is never to come. + +_Angler._ Patience, brother, for you have, ere long, something more to +see: and now we are passed over the bridge back again into the county of +Derby, what do you think of this sudden change in the river? There are +high rocks and crags on either side: some have been tumbled down to the +bottom in confused heaps, and threaten they will block up the passage. + +_Painter._ This makes the Dove more fretful and noisy, and rather than +she will be detained in this stony wilderness, she vaults over the +crags, and throws herself into a cascade underneath the bridge.—But look +to your feet; for I like not this edge of the cliffs, that stand so +high. How now! there is another glen joins itself; and, I declare, a +rapid stream, as big, or may be bigger than the Dove, and to say the +truth, I know not which is our own river. + +_Angler._ Then make some guess before I declare it to you. + +_Painter._ I cannot resolve you. Methinks that to the right is more like +to come from Derbyshire. + +_Angler._ Nay, the left hand is our course; the other water, that gushes +in her channel with so singular a steepness, is Cooper-Brook; and if you +listen, you may hear with what a sweet harmony she welcomes the approach +of her future playmate, and pays her willing tribute into the streams of +the Dove, and is happy to change her own name for another and a better, +that is in so great esteem with all anglers. + +_Painter._ Here is one of those spots of nature that I love to behold. +This is the noblest architecture imaginable; for here are mountains, and +rocks, and valleys disposed in a wild order, that is more excellent than +the richest ornaments of all Greece: nay, I will not make an exception +of the Parthenon at Athens, or the great Colosseum in Rome;—nor the very +pillars of the gate, which was called Beautiful, in the Temple at +Jerusalem, nor all the once glorious Palmyra are able to contend for +nobleness against these works of nature. + +_Angler._ Which is not to be wondered at, since those were builded by +man; but the hills have God for their founder: it is HE that ‘_weighs +the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance_.’ HE it is that can +make them break forth into singing, or cause them to be desolate; that +can remove them into the depths of the sea, as easily as He caused their +highest tops to be covered with the flood, when He opened the gates of +heaven. + +_Painter._ And for that beautiful structure of the Temple of Zion which +was ornamented with so many thousand talents of gold, and refined silver +and brass, and a number of all manner of precious stones, that +Honourable Mr. Robert Boyle says, was capable of impoverishing the +Indies,—and those cherubims overlaid with gold within the oracle that +stretched forth their wings, so that the wing of the one touched the one +wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall—where are +they now?—they are dispersed as a dream: but these mountains shall +remain till that hour, when ‘_the heavens shall pass away with a great +noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat_.’ + +_Angler._ And hath not HE declared, (whose ‘_coming_’ shall then be) +that Solomon himself, the builder of the first Temple, in all his glory, +was not arrayed like one even of those heathy flowers you have in your +hand? I beseech you give me that bunch you have plucked, and when I go +home, I’ll dry them in a book, that I may sometimes call back again to +my mind this happy day’s journey, and these sweet thoughts amidst the +springs of the Dove. + +_Painter._ Do so; and I am glad to think that in this manner I shall +live the better in your memory. + +_Angler._ Trust me for that, brother. But we must not tarry; we must be +away for Dove Head. + +_Painter._ I am with you:—but here are more ups and downs than I +expected; how long will they last? for I begin to flag. + +_Angler._ Cheer up, heart, and follow me; and that I may beguile the +length of the way along these mossy slopes that are so soft under +foot,—and because you are won to the love of angling,—I will perform my +promise, and read you that epistle of Mr. Cotton to Mr. Izaak Walton. + +_Painter._ I shall be charmed to hear it. + +_Angler._ Then listen,— + + ‘Feb: y^e. 13. 1676. + + ‘My deare and worthy Father, + + ‘Supposing you (who are ever so constant to your resolutions) to bee + by this time return’d to London, I venture to give you the trouble of + a letter to enquire how you doe, and whether I may hope to see you + here this approaching summer: in truth I long for nothing more than to + see you, and therefore if your affaires either invite you this way; or + will permitt you to bestow some time upon your friends that love you, + itt will, without complement, bee as great a satisfaction to mee, as I + could allmost wish. In the next place, give mee leave to enquire how + my Lords Grace of Canterbury does, and my Lord of Winton. The last of + which was every where in these parts so confidently reported for dead; + that in earnest, I concluded him so, till I received your last letter, + which, though you did not mention him in itt, assured mee + neverthelesse hee was still living, otherwise I suppose you had had no + businesse at Farnham: your owne famyly I need not so strictly to + enquire after, because I know you will tell me without asking, so that + till I shall againe heare from you, I have little more to say, + excepting to tell you y^t I have here enclosed sent you a ridiculous + song I made one day by the River side; that my Lady of Ardglass is + your servant, and joins with mee in the request of seeing you here, + together with that old and constant truth, that I am, and must ever + bee, whilst wee two live, + + ‘Dear Father, Your most affectionate friend, + ‘Sonne and Servant, + ‘CHARLES COTTON.’ + + + ‘We are all here very well, that is now wee begin to thaw again: for + so nipping a winter has not been for these many years, and yett when + the water was frozen up almost, and only a small gullet open in the + sharp of the streams, I then killed several Graylings, 16, 17, 18, and + 20 inches long with an Ash grub, and no more than one single hayre, as + severall can witnesse; and that in their full vigour and best season. + My service I pray to Mr. Daniell Sheldon; to whom by the next returne + of the carrier I will send some flies and direct them to Sir Joseph + Sheldon.’ + +_Painter._ A very pleasant cheerful letter, and a sure witness to the +love these two familiar masters of angling bear to each other’s person. + +_Angler._ I would we had that ‘_ridiculous poem made one day by the +River side_;’ which was enclosed in it: but that was not in the +possession of my _Aldine Scholar_; and I am only permitted to hope Mr. +Walton hath treasured it up with some others to be hereafter put forth +to the world in print. + +_Painter._ In a handsome ‘litel boke’—and because you have shewn me how +my master will sometimes court the favour of the muses, it may come to +pass some May morning, when they are angling together, the two poets +shall resolve to ask Mr. Richard Marriott[70] to print their verses in a +happy conjunction. + +_Angler._ That would be as worthy of our perusal as the SHEPHERD’S +GARLAND _fashioned in Eglogs_, by Mr. Walton’s honest old friend Michael +Drayton: and doubtless my Lord’s Grace of Canterbury, who loves Mr. +Walton and his art of fishing, will have a pleasure to affix his +IMPRIMATUR _ex Ædibus Lambethanis_. + +_Painter._ And methinks Mr. Cotton, when he commanded his service to Mr. +Daniel Sheldon and promised to send some flies to Sir Joseph Sheldon, +knew that Mr. Walton was on a short visit to the Archbishop at Lambeth. + +_Angler._ Or it might be at his palace in Croydon?—but look you, there +is the Dove, down in the deep glen beneath; and though she grows more +diminutive, yet there are bright rills that silently glide out of the +mountains to swell her little eddies and cascades——And now, here is +another turn in the path, and so I have brought you to Dove-head. + +_Painter._ Indeed! I’m rejoiced to hear it, but how! I see no +‘_contemptible fountain that I can cover with my hat_,’ but a tolerable +stream. + +_Angler._ Patience, good brother—it is true we are here come to the +hamlet of Dove-head; but for the source of the stream, you are to mount +with me the side of this broad mountain, that is called AXE EDGE. + +_Painter._ Alas the day! up this great mountain, which is as high as +Mont Blanc in Switzerland? but much darker, I warrant you. Well, Sir, if +it must be so,—but I’m almost exhausted. + +_Angler._ Come, let me give you a helping hand. + +_Painter._ I thank you, but I’m too big-hearted to yield me—so put on +your manhood, and stalk along; I’ll stem Broad Axe Edge with ‘heart of +controversy.’ Heigh ho! now we are up, and here is nothing I can see in +the likeness of a river. + +_Angler._ Pardon me, for I may now wish you joy; look to this side of +you; here is the ‘contemptible little fountain.’ + +_Painter._ Indeed! and so there is—what a marvellous little fountain! +but it is a most clear and pellucid stream. + +_Angler._ And yet Mr. Cotton declares this river ‘_from its head, for a +mile or two, is a black water, as all the rest of the Derbyshire rivers +of note originally are; for they all spring from the mosses_.’ + +_Painter._ Well, I see no mosses hereabouts, but a highland downy turf, +and it is a pure and transparent rill. + +_Angler._ Well, well; we may leave these nice questions; only this is +for certain, here is the source of the river Dove—so let us sit and rest +ourselves. + +_Painter._ With all my heart, for I was never so tired in my life, +scrambling up and down these moorlands:—I scarce thought my legs would +carry me so far. + + ‘Here down my wearyed limbs I’ll lay, + ‘My pilgrim’s staffe, my weeds of grey.’ + +_Angler._ It is a good angler’s walk, I grant you; and by the sun we are +eight hours from Alstonfields! + +_Painter._ Come, then—where is the knack of provisions? + +_Angler._ Here it is, and I profess to you I am both hungry and thirsty. +There is a slab of stone that covers the fountain will serve for a +table—and here is the well of water to cool our Rhenish. + +_Painter._ So, so; it is all delightful: indeed it all breathes of +pleasure; let’s open the wallet, and make ourselves joyful at the head +of the Dove. By the word of an angler, I mean to throw away all cares +and be light-hearted. Come, Sir, your appetite is squeamish. + +_Angler._ Trust me, I’m quite hearty; and here’s my service to you in a +cup of wine. + +_Painter._ The same to you, and is not our host a good caterer? with +hunger for sauce, this provision is fit for a king!—and I am now able, +on this wild moor, to be as happy as any prince in Christendom. + +_Angler._ And why not, if we have grateful and contented hearts? + + ‘Sweet are the thoughts that savour of content, + ‘The quiet mind is richer than a crown; + ‘Sweet are the nights in careless slumber spent; + ‘The poor estate scorns Fortune’s angry frown. + ‘Such sweet content, such minds, such sleep, such bliss, + ‘Beggars enjoy, when princes oft do miss!’— + +But come, Sir,—it is your turn for a song; so please you begin. + +_Painter._ Well, then, I’ll try my voice at a song of George Withers: + + ‘Lordly gallants, tell me this, + ‘Though my safe content ye weigh not, + ‘In your greatness, what one bliss + ‘Have you gained that I enjoy not? + ‘You have honours, you have wealth + ‘I have peace, and I have health, + ‘All the day I merry make, + ‘And at night no care I take. + + ‘Bound to none my fortunes be, + ‘This or that man’s fall I care not; + ‘Him I love that loveth me; + ‘For the rest a pin I care not. + ‘You are mad when others chafe, + ‘And grow merry when they laugh; + ‘I that hate it, and am free, + ‘Laugh and weep as pleaseth me.’ + +And now we’ll drink a health to our masters in angling. + +_Angler._ And let it be in a sip of clear water from this fountain-head +of the Dove, by way of memorial. + +_Painter._ Well, well, only a sip, and—after that we’ll drink to them in +better Rhenish. + +_Angler._ With all my heart. + +_Painter._ Here’s to Mr. Walton and Mr. Cotton. + +_Angler._ To Mr. Walton and Mr. Cotton! And now, by your leave, I’ll +grave the two first letters of their names in cipher on this very stone +that is over the fountain. + +_Painter._ How mean you? + +_Angler._ Here are tools, I borrowed from our host, for I had bethought +me of this, and must confess I purposed it in my mind, the last time I +travelled this way. So do you be busy in a picture, and I’ll make a rude +copy of the cipher which is over the door of the fishing-house. + +_Painter._ It is an excellent conceit; and I hope Mr. Cotton may one day +chance to hear of this, and wonder at the unknown travellers that hold +him in so high esteem; and would he might now see our mutual labours! +Come, Sir, lend me your steel, and I’ll light a pipe—so! and now do you +tell me something of this Axe Edge which is as dark as a thunder-cloud, +but no more like an axe than I’m like a tree. Are we now in the county +of Derby or Stafford? + +_Angler._ Which you please: for here you may now stand with one foot on +the county of Stafford, and the other in Derbyshire; look you, or I will +rather say, listen; for you will scarce hear, and cannot see the puny +Dove that now trickles out of the well under our feet, and goes rustling +through the long grass down the side of the mountain; and nevertheless I +may tell you, she is big enough to divide the counties one from another +for many a long mile. There: ‘_go thy way, little Dove_,’ and make glad +the thousand meadows that you have a mind to visit in your rambles. + +_Painter._ And, trust me, she shall receive the applauses of many meek +and happy anglers in return for the pleasures she bestows on them. But +tell me something further, honest Piscator, of this great mountain. + +_Angler._ Well, then, you are to note, Axe Edge gives birth to many a +trouty stream: and if we had time to come at them, I could show you some +clear fountains, as the Goit and others; but next to the Dove is the +river Wye, that flows down this mountain, till it comes to the hot wells +at Buxton, and after that, to Bakewell and the noble hall at Haddon; and +is thereabouts made brighter than before by the Lathkill. But see, here +we have Mr. Walton and Mr. Cotton’s initial letters twisted together in +cipher, and graved on the stone. I hope no uncivil hand will untie the +knot that joins them. + +[Illustration: “Black-and-white woodcut of a carved stone fragment +bearing the intertwined letters IW and CC.] + +_Painter._ I hope so too, for it is excellently well graved, and a +worthy tribute to our masters at the very fountain-head of their +favoured Dove. + +_Angler._ And now for a song. Nay we must be stirring, or we shall not +find our way to Alstonfields before dark. + +_Painter._ Ah me! I had almost forgot: did you say all the way back to +Alstonfields? and must it be? I know not if my legs will carry me so +far. + +_Angler._ Then you may use your best arguments to persuade them; for I +can tell you, Axe Edge is a cold bed for travellers, and you’ll find no +house of entertainment by the way. But, come, another cup, and then let +us pack up, and away with a good will. Sir, I pledge you. + +_Painter._ Well, well! that’s a refreshing draught, and I am with you, +so do you lead on. + +_Angler._ And I have something to tell you for your comfort. I shall +bring you by a near path across these mountains to the other side of the +Great Crome; it is not half the distance and for the greater part down +hill. + +_Painter._ That’s pleasant news; but now I’m unconquerable; I’m fit for +any thing. + +_Angler._ Come, then, bear away to the left; and what say you to these +ridges that are piled up one after the other? + +_Painter._ It is all exceeding wild. These mountains have a noble solemn +look. + +_Angler._ But let me think awhile: I have some misgivings. I cannot +resolve me which is our nearest way; let us try this wild path to the +left. + +_Painter._ Nay, Master, if you have lost your reck’ning over these Alps, +we shall chance to sleep under this ‘most excellent canopy, the air.’ +But stay; what is yonder?—a lonely cottage on the next brow. So fortune +has helped us at a pinch. + +_Angler._ ’Tis some poor peaceful shepherd’s cottage; let us go forward +and knock! Holloa! within there! + +_Shepherd._ Who’s there? how now, my lads! + +_Angler._ Good even, master: can you tell us the way to Hartington? + +_Shepherd._ To Hartington, good gentlemen? marry can I, ’twere strange +else: old Racing Harrison might bring you across these mountains +blindfolded, if need were. + +_Angler._ Pr’ythee tell us, if we are to take to the left hand? + +_Shepherd._ Ay, to the left, through yon slipstyle; and mind to keep the +Crome on your right: but stay awhile; I’ll fetch my staff, and go along +with you. + +_Painter._ We thank you: but first let us offer you a cup of good wine; +and if it please you, I’ll put this cold pie on the settle at the door, +for supper, when you come back. And now who’s for a pipe? + +_Angler._ I—and all. Come, Master Shepherd, try my Virginia. + +_Shepherd._ I thank you, gentlemen travellers; and now this way, for the +evening comes on. + +_Painter._ You seem to have a hearty old age; you step like a yonker. + +_Shepherd._ Ay, Sir; the time has been, when I was huntsman’s groom to +the noble Earl’s father, I could scale these hills from morning till +sunset, and tire down the stoutest buck. + +_Angler._ Then you have served the great family of Cavendish? + +_Shepherd._ That, Sir, has been my pride these many a year, in peace and +war. I followed the Earl’s noble brother, General Charles, to Grantham, +and was close to him at the battle of Gainsborough, when the rebel Noll +forced him and his unbroken Lincoln troop into a quagmire. I myself +heard him refuse quarter from so seditious a crew, and saw him cast his +blood that flowed from his wounds into their faces, and so he died as he +lived, one of the most loyal cavaliers and servants of the late king. +After that I was made ranger hereabouts: but now I am three-score years, +and some of the ailments of age have come upon me; so I tend my little +flock of sheep, and pay my honourable Lord a peppercorn for rent. + +_Painter._ Are these lands hereabouts the Earl of Devonshire’s? + +_Shepherd._ That are they for miles and miles. He’s a little king in all +this country, and a right royal master to old Racing Harrison. Now look +ye, Gentlemen, the path lies between these two hills; and when you come +to another slipstyle at the bottom, you are to hold right on, till you +see stars twinkle through the hole in the top crag of the Crome. + +_Angler._ Ay, now I remember. Thanks, honest Shepherd, and good even to +you. + +_Shepherd._ Good even, young Gentlemen; and will you please give an old +man his license? Ah! memory tells us youth is a slippery time; and every +step you take shall bring you nearer or wider the way of heaven. We +shall not meet again on these hills; but when the last trump shall +sound, may we all be found with the mark on our foreheads. + +_Painter._ Amen to that pious wish. And now a hearty farewell, and +thanks for your safe conduct. Trust me, we shall remember honest _Racing +Harrison_ of the hills. + +_Shepherd._ I thank you, good Gentlemen; and may peace be with you. +Away! for night draws apace. + +_Angler._ Brother, there was something touching in that old Shepherd’s +parting words. But see, we are now come behind the Great Crome. + +_Painter._ Is it possible? and so soon! You promised to make the way +shorter, and well it is so; for those golden lights from the setting sun +bid good even to the landskip, and the valleys are thrown into an +opposition of deepening shadows. + +_Angler._ ‘_En avant_’ is the word, seeing how the evening closes around +us. + +_Painter._ Why, what a conjuror are you! Sure we are come again to +Glutton Dale, or I’m mistaken? + +_Angler._ The same; and here you will pass into Stern Dale, and then by +Crowdey Cote, and Ludwell, where we are now arrived; and so you are +within a mile of Hartington. + +_Painter._ Why, this is excellent! and now methinks I see Hartington +Church. Ho! ho! I’m off my legs. + +_Angler._ Come, Sir, one more stretch, and then we’re at home; so be a +man; + + ‘Jog on, jog on the footpath way, + ‘And merrily hent the style a, + ‘Your merry heart goes all the day, + ‘Your sad one tires in a mile a.’[71] + +_Painter._ Trust me, never was pilgrim gladder to see the goal of his +journey, than I shall be to find myself at Alstonfields. + +_Angler._ Well, my good companion, we have had a lusty walk, that’s +true; and now give me thine hand, for here we are come to our inn. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, my humble service to you both. You must be weary. + +_Painter._ Let me tell you, I’m nigh exhausted, for I have never made +such a march till now; but every thing I have seen hath exceeded my +hopes; indeed, I am transported with love towards your moorlands, and +the River Dove. + +_Host._ I am happy to hear you say so. + +_Painter._ And now let us take a light supper, and then to bed; for I +see Mr. Marsh has prepared a dish of trouts for us, so let me serve you. + +_Angler._ I’m quite willing: for, to speak the truth, I’m no less weary +than yourself; and, moreover, we have a long day before us to-morrow; +for our purpose is to sleep at Ashbourne. + +_Host._ Gentlemen, I shall be sorry to lose your company. I wish I could +detain you by the Dove till Mr. Cotton’s return; and he’ll be grieved to +hear how he has missed the pleasant acquaintance with such lovers of the +angle. + +_Angler._ And, I pray you, let him understand ‘_how we fished his stream +by inches_,’ and do not forget our thanks to him for this liberty in his +absence. + +_Painter._ And how we were enchanted with the sylvan prospects about his +house and grounds, and all the ornaments in that temple of his, +dedicated to anglers. + +_Host._ Sirs, you may depend I shall. + +_Angler._ And, moreover, do you tell him how we walked to Dove-head, and +there graved on a flat stone that covers the fountain, the first letters +of his and Mr. Walton’s names, in honour of their mutual friendship. + +_Host._ Indeed! + +_Painter._ Ay, as like as possible to the cipher that is over the +fishing-house. + +_Angler._ And this out of respect to him and Mr. Walton; and so he may +find that inscription any day he is willing to travel thither. + +_Host._ Sirs, I am not able to express my thanks for all your kind +thoughts of my dear and honourable master: and because you hold him in +this esteem, give me leave to present you some serious verses he +composed in the last days of a cold winter; they are writ with his own +hand, and have never been in print. + +_Angler._ Nay, Mr. Marsh, is it possible you are in earnest? + +_Host._ Sir, wait but a moment, and I’ll go fetch them.—— + +And here they are at your service. + +_Angler._ Indeed I may not rob you of such a treasure. + +_Host._ Sir, my heart is overpowered. Here I have preserved them for two +years past; but you are welcome, and none so worthy to receive them as a +gentleman that entertains such thoughts of the writer. They will be safe +in your good keeping, and I beseech you to take them. + +_Angler._ I know not what I should answer. + +_Host._ Sir, they are freely yours. + +_Angler._ A thousand thanks, most kind and worthy Mr. Marsh, for so +precious a gift: it shall be preserved as a memento of these happy hours +we have spent about Beresford Hall. Look you, brother. + +_Painter._ I wish you joy. + +_Angler._ I am in haste to read them. + +_Painter._ Pray do so. I long to hear them. + +_Angler._ I perceive they are verses on + +OLD AGE. + + Why should fond man to his owne wrong, + A weary life seeke to prolong + By those detected cheats of art, + That only add unto the smart, + The growing malady and paine + Of life, of which wee so complaine? + As if there could bee a new way + To make things prosper by decay; + As if a tree showld wider spread, + By loosing sap, its graceful head; + Or higher towards heaven shoot, + For being hollow att y^e root. + Med’cine helps old men only so, + As burnings are allay’d by snow, + Which often makes us worse endure, + Cheating the paine itt cannot cure; + And to death only mends our pace, + As painting sooner spoiles a face. + But say wee could, when once grown old, + Our ruines by such props uphold, + Who would, to his own peace untrue, + His lease of misery renew? + The young, who in soft pleasures live, + May well solicite a reprieve, + When death does threaten, since they doe + Nothing but life and pleasure know. + But they to whom living alone + Is hourely execution, + Should not evade methincks the cure + Of all the doloures they endure. + What, when cold cramps our limbs invade, + When nature’s visibly decay’d, + When all our youthful vigour’s gone, + Sight, hearing, taste, complexion + Are fled, and faded, when all sence, + Nay worse, when all intelligence + (Which only human life does blesse) + Is turn’d into forgettfulnesse, + Or sees but in a magic glasse, + The ayery fine young thing it was, + What is there then, O then I say, + Should make us longer wish to stay? + ’Tis not the palsey, nor the gout, + The tissick, nor the numerous rout + Of ling’ring paines old men best name, + Which we can rationally blame. + Old age itself is the disease, + Whose wretched traine consists of these. + For as health, vigour, beauty, grace, + Gayetie, and disposednesse, + Make up its spritely equipage + T’ our morning and meridian age; + So is old age attended by + All sorts of paine and misery, + More faithful followers by farre + Than th’ other briske attendants are, + Who falsely with our fortunes fly: + These never leave us ‘till we dye. + Age is th’ effect: of time, and course, + In which, alasse, there’s no ressource; + Art, that is so ador’d, and great, + Can here but little glory gett, + Who, where faint nature does refuse + T’ assist, must needs her credit loose. + Physic itself, that sowv’raigne friende, + To humane kind must misse her end, + And short in her endeavour falls + With all her herbs and mineralls, + And but afflicts y^e patient more, + In weak’ning what shee can’t restore. + Cease then, old man, thy fate t’eschew, + As youth has had, give age itt’s due, + Lye downe, and dye, and so make roome + For him whose turne ’tis next to come. + CHARLES COTTON. + +_Painter._ They are excellent verses; but of a melancholy cast. + +_Angler._ The best of us will sometimes be oppressed with sad +forebodings. Mr. Marsh, you have laid a lasting obligation on me. + +_Host._ Sir, not another word, I beseech you; but if I might make so +bold, I have one request to make of this gentleman who is so skilful a +limner. + +_Painter._ What is it? for trust me it is already granted, if it’s +within my poor ability. + +_Host._ Sir, it is that I might have a design of my master’s +fishing-house, in black and white, from your pencil. + +_Painter._ Most willingly, and I’m happy to make any return for your +civility to my brother. + +_Host._ Sir, I thank you; and here is an ancient letter of my late +mistress, Mr. Cotton’s mother, that she once writ to the steward at the +Hall; and perhaps this gentleman will read it aloud: and it is quite at +your service, if you will be pleased to accept it. + +_Painter._ Indeed, I am greatly beholden to you. Now, brother, do you +read the letter, and I will draw a copy of the fishing-house out of my +blank book. + +_Angler._ With all my heart—here it is: + + ‘HONEST WILL, + + ‘I wonder I heard not from you the last weeke. I send you an accompt + of my wants: pray get so much money as you can, and brew the + half-hogshead of strong beare, and put it into the little house’ + (_that is the Flambeaux Tower you saw_) ‘and one hogshead of small, + which will require four strikes of mault, 2 for the strong, and 2 for + the small: and I desire your wife to doe me the favoure as to brew + them herselfe; remember to do it speedylie before hott weather comes, + for I shall be verie speedily in the countrie. Send me Jack’s height, + that I may buy his coats fitt, and the height of my owne chambre, that + I may fitt my bed. Desire your wyfe to looke in the trunke where my + work lies, and send mee one that is fully finished, and one that is + not, of the quishions in Irish worke, and the broad peece of quishion + canvis, 2 yards broad that is unwrought; let mee know how my garden + grows, and tell John Gardiner that if I do not finde my gardens in + ample maner when I come, that hee and I shall not bee friends: bid him + send word if he would have any thing sent down for them. Mr. Upton + remembers him to you and your wife, and desires to know whether his + meare bee brought in bed or noe, and I desire to knowe how my black + damsell doth; pray get your own horses in good case, in case I send + for you, or you are to meet mee: remember mee to all my friends, but + especially to John Hayes, John Basset, Dic Ball, and tell him I will + bring his cognizance with mee. Let us get the blew coate where wee + can; desire your nephew to looke in my trunk of books, and there you + shall finde a large booke in writing with a parchment cover, blotied + on one side with inke towards the nooke of it, its of preserving & + conserving, & send it up by this bearer, by whome I think I shall send + you further newes of my coming downe, if Mr. Parker be not the cause; + but however doe what I have desired. Send me word what’s become of + that gratious elfe Pud; so I rest, + + ‘Your loving M^{ris} + ‘OLIVE COTTON. + + ‘my blessing to the two + comrades that keepe the + rabbits, Jack & Bilburd. + + ‘Maye the 19^{th} + 1650.’ + + ‘For my trustie servant + William Grindon at + Beresford, this with + care & speede + Staffordshere.’ + +_Painter._ What a primitive kindness of nature there is in every line. I +declare to you, brother, it is more deserving to be treasured up in an +angler’s cabinet than those Latin epistles I have seen of famed Mistress +Anna Maria Shurman. + +_Angler._ It is the letter of a careful and benevolent mistress. + +_Host._ Ay, Sirs! and that she was indeed. Alas! if she had lived long +enough, it had been happier for Mr. Cotton. But she was snatched away, +like a too delicate flower, as she was.[72] Will it please you, Sir, to +receive this letter? for I have some others by me. + +_Painter._ I thank you heartily, Mr. Marsh, and I may not decline a +kindness so freely offered; and here is my copy of the fishing-house, +which is not worthy to be called a return for such a gift. + +_Host._ Sir, my humble duty and thanks to you, and if ever you come this +way again, and it please God I live, you shall then find this natural +view of the fishing-house glazed and hanging up over my parlour chimney. + +_Angler._ Well, I hope some happy day we may all meet here again: and so +let us to bed, and pleasant dreams to every one. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + + + CHAPTER V. +_The return of the_ Angler _and_ Painter _to_ Ashbourne, _through_ Dove + Dale. + + + _Angler._ + +Well, brother, now we are come over the river into Derbyshire, and are +arrived under Wolfscote Hill, tell me what you thought of our honest +host at Alstonfields, and his charges. + +_Painter._ I know not which to admire most, the good cheer and beds that +he gave us, or the moderateness of the score. There we have lived like +brave gentlemen for three days, and been most civilly and handsomely +treated, and the charge was no more than I have paid for a day’s +reckoning at an inn in Westminster. + +_Angler._ If I may speak my real thoughts, I have not met a more modest +and decently behaved man than Herbert Marsh; so I shall make honourable +mention of him to all my friends that come to these parts, and recommend +them to take up their lodgings at the King’s Head. + +_Painter._ And so will I. But whither are we going?—what a desolation is +here!—I wish we might return to that Vale of Tempe, by Beresford Hall, +and Mr. Cotton’s fishing-house: for now, we are scarce come a mile, and +you have only bald hills, with rubble stones that hang on the sides. + +_Angler._ It might all seem to be a dull kind of place, but for the +windings of the Dove, that hurries fretfully away from this dreary +region, ‘_which she would not touch but for necessity_;’ and for her +sake, I beseech you, excuse the want of other graces hereabout: for, +trust me, by and by you shall find some master-pieces of nature’s work. +So let us follow whither she leads the way: and now we are come to +Bigging Dale, that has the variety of some tufts of wood, and pointed +crags. + +_Painter._ I see no beauties to marvel at; but I will put on my matter’s +patience:—and see,—here are cobbling stones across the river, that will +give us a change, and a passage into Staffordshire. + +_Angler._ If you will be advised, we shall do better on this side. + +_Painter._ As you please. But look: yonder is a pair of water-birds, +dabbling down the stream before us. I hope they are Alciones, that is, +our native king-fishers; or, as some will call them, Hoop-birds. + +_Angler._ It is an even lay they are water-ousels; for you may always +find them up and down about the Dove: nevertheless, they are hard to +come at. But wherefore desire to have them Halcyons? + +_Painter._ Because I have a singular regard for those birds, knowing +them to be an emblem and prognostic of calmness; and I am sure, these +days I have enjoyed you on the brink of the Dove have been ‘Halcyon +days’ for me. How does the Sicilian mariner rejoice during the time of +the Alcyons sitting on their nests! for then, as Pliny writes, the sea +is not so boisterous, but more quiet than at other times. And yet, you +are to note, this bird is prohibited to the Israelites, as unclean, in +the book of Leviticus, wherein it is rendered as the Lapwing; but this +learned Sir Thomas Browne declares to be a mistake. And the reason for +this divine prohibition is ‘the magical virtues ascribed unto it by the +Egyptian nation; for they so highly magnified the Halcyon in their +symbols, they placed it on the head of their gods; and Orus, their +hieroglyphic for the world, had the head of a Hoop-bird upon the top of +his staff.’ And I may tell you certain other peculiars of this famed +water-fowl;—as that they make their nest, and hatch their young, in the +middle of winter; and this nest they build so as it may float on the +waves; and because Providence instructs every moving creature with a +secret instinctive wisdom, they will fasten it to some rock or border of +the sea, by an artful slender line, that the changing tides may not +carry it away from home. + +_Angler._ Come, my brother, you are poetical; you do but magnify the +nature of your Halcyons, and amuse me with pleasant fables. + +_Painter._ Nay, Sir, that is their own contrivance, and none of mine; +and you may believe Aristotle and Basilius, when they declare that the +tempestuous winds are hushed into silence, and the angry sea is +becalmed, for fear they should give any disturbance to this friend of +mariners, whilst they nestle their young ones. And a learned +Augustine[73] monk aptly compares this Halcyon to the Saviour of +mankind, who hath no sooner taken up His place in the soul, than all the +swelling billows of this world’s storms are changed into a holy +quietness. There is no longer any threatening of calamity, but a sublime +confidence: then the lowering clouds pass away before the beams of the +glorious _Sun of Righteousness_, and the pleasant gales breathe nothing +but peace and joy. Then the believer, holding faith and a good +conscience, meets with no shipwreck; for Jesus ‘_maketh the storm a +calm, so that the waves thereof are still_;’ then the Christian mariners +‘_are glad because they be quiet: so He bringeth them to their desired +haven_.’[74] + +_Angler._ Oh! that the Heavenly Halcyon might be ever with us, to impart +unto our unquiet thoughts His own divine calm! Then the tempestuous +whirlwind of our passions should be silenced, and we made capable to +enjoy that promise—‘_Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: +not as the world giveth, give I unto you._’[75] + +_Painter._ And thus be prepared for the immortal joys laid up in store +for the humble soul.—But here again you may mark them flitting away +before us;—and now they are alighted on that great stone in the middle +of the stream. + +_Angler._ I see them; and I may tell you, for certain, they are +water-ousels. Now would I give two ducats for a gun! for a dear friend +of mine, who is an angler, and has a fancy for all kinds of birds, and +is acquainted with their nature, and feathers, and notes, desired me to +bring him home a water-ousel, if I chanced to meet one, that he might +set it in his museum of stuffed birds. And there is nothing in +moderation I would not do to pleasure him; he is such a civil, honest +brother of the angle. + +_Painter._ As namely? + +_Angler._ He is one you have an acquaintance with. + +_Painter._ Pr’ythee his name, if he be a meek angler. + +_Angler._ Well, then, I may tell you, Francis Mieris, whom I have heard +you declare to be one of the choice painters of Holland, bears the same +initials. + +_Painter._ Indeed! then I can unravel your enigma: it is your most +worthy kinsman, bound to you not more by a near affinity than an ancient +friendship, + +[Illustration: F. M.] + +that is, or ought to be, somewhere in Oxfordshire: not many miles +distant from Fair Rosamond’s Bower in Woodstock Park. + +_Angler._ The same: and if he had lived there some fifty years agone, he +had been as deserving to receive the dedication of THE SECRETS OF +ANGLING, _teaching the choicest tooles, baits, and seasons, for the +taking of any fish, in Pond or River_, as Mr. Roger Jackson’s ‘worthy +and respected friend, Mr. John Harborne of Tackley, in the county of +Oxford, Esquire:’[76] but that he hath been reserved to these times is +one of the joys of my life, for he is a staunch and trusty friend, that +will stand by a man in the day of his troubles. + +_Painter._ But I knew not he was a lover of angling? + +_Angler._ Marry is he: and since you are become one of our fraternity, I +could desire you no greater pleasure than to sit by the side of a river +in his company, and hear him make a choice of passages out of Mr. +Walton’s book; and he especially loves that innocent conversation, and +those songs of the milkmaid and her daughter; which I hold to be a more +rural and engaging picture of primitive manners, than is to be found in +any writing:—I will not make an exception of brave Sir Philip Sydney’s +Arcadia; or Will Shakspeare’s “Lover’s Lament.” + +_Painter._ I wish that friend were here—what pleasures he would find in +Dove Dale! + +_Angler._ Ay, and next to that I wish I now had a letter he wrote me +some days before I left my house, that I might give you the perusal +thereof; it was about an Otter hunt he saw near to Guy’s Cliff in +Warwickshire; and I declare to you he pictured that Otter hunt to my +mind with all the naturalness of Mr. Walton, when he met his friend +VENATOR at Amwell Hill. And this I may tell you, he hath a delicate hand +on a fly rod, and knows more secrets of angling than most others: and +both loves and endeavours the art of husbandry, that is worthy of an +English Gentleman’s practice—insomuch he is acquainted with most of +Thomas Tusser’s ‘_Hundreth Good Pointes of Husbandrie_.’——But we are +entered into Mill Dale—so now, if you please, we may pass into +Staffordshire by this bridge, over the river, and then look out; for +yonder you may see something you have met before. + +_Painter._ What is that? + +_Angler._ Why, Sir, have you forgotten the Wheelbarrow Bridge? and there +is Hanson Toot on your left hand, and that slippery zig-zag path which +leads to Ashbourne. + +_Painter._ And so it is indeed! there is the very spot where we caught +our first brace of trouts; but do not tell me we must part with the Dove +so soon. + +_Angler._ Not for the world! but rather walk to Ashbourne along the +river, where we shall find fresh occasions for pleasure and surprise on +both margins—so cross the bridge, and look you do not tumble. + +_Painter._ Trust me, ‘_I can go by myself_.’—Why what a fine display of +rocks! We have met with nothing like them for boldness; they are thrown +about in a delightful confusion. What natural arches are those cut in +the cliff, that falls perpendicular into the dell,—and yonder high +pinnacle which stands alone on the other side? + +_Angler._ These are called the ‘Dove Holes,’ and that is dignified with +the name of the ‘Shepherd’s Abbey.’—Now you are come to + +[Illustration: DOVE DALE;] + +now you see crags on crags of all shapes; and the Dove grows more proud +and swelling, seeing herself to be ornamented with such landskips. + +_Painter._ And that is not to be wondered at: you are as good as your +promise, for I declare this is one of the most beautiful dales in all +England. Let us tarry awhile, that I may endeavour to sketch this +delightful prospect as a memorial. ’Twill be a day to speak of +hereafter. Every step I take I am more enamoured of your river. + +_Angler._ See yonder rock, on the other side, that has slipped from the +mountain, and stands out with a look of defiance. + +_Painter._ And which are these to the left hand? + +_Angler._ One is the ‘Steeple Rock,’ and the other the ‘Watch-Tower.’ + +_Painter._ My pleasure is more than I can express. Think of the +nobleness of nature: what tongue can articulate—what pencil can describe +these combinations of a grand design? O Sir! think how God hath planted +a paradise on earth, for ‘bad man’ to refresh himself in; and times and +seasons, and woods and rocks, and rivers, and the glorious sun in his +tabernacle of the heavens, all appointed for the delight of his +creatures; so that, turn whithersoever they will, their eyes cannot look +off from a miracle:—and oh! why is it that our hearts are not attunable +to those high hallelujahs which are sung to the sound of golden harps, +from throne to throne, by angels in heaven, who being ‘_arrayed in white +garments with palms in their hands, and crowns of gold on their heads, +sing the song of the Lamb for ever_:’ this we know to be their present +glorious occupation; man only has no desire for such a transporting joy: +he will forget God in the very midst of his great and marvellous works. +But I beg you pardon, Sir! I was carried beyond myself by these river +prospects. + +_Angler._ It is all very enchanting, and begets in a spiritual mind high +thoughts of our Maker’s goodness and glory; and now whilst you work out +your picture of the landskip, I’ll try to kill a brace of trouts. And by +and by, when we are arrived lower down, we will recline ourselves +beneath a large flowering hawthorn tree that I know of, and there you +shall put out your angle-line to fish for itself. + +_Painter._ Agreed: and I have not seen a river of so much promise. + +_Angler._ Look how the water crisps over the shelving rocks, and is +thrown back into the eddies; being, as Mr. Cotton says, ‘_so +straightened in her course between the rocks_,’ she has a greater +swiftness than ever. + +_Painter._ Well then, go you and fish downward, and I will follow when +I’ve made my picture.——How now, Sir; how has it fared with you?—tell me +what luck. + +_Angler._ I have caught two brace of trouts and a skipjack, that I put +into the river again. And now we are come to the great hawthorn tree, +that is worthy of note for its spreading branches. + +_Painter._ So here let us rest our legs; and now I hold you to your +promise, that my angle should fish for me at breakfast time; so, by your +leave, I’ll fit my tackling, that I may make a trial underneath this +broad cascade.——I am prepared. + +_Angler._ Now drop in your line slyly, and beware you do not splash the +water; and then come back to me, and I’ll prepare breakfast, which we +have honestly earned by our two hours’ walk. Then we may drink a cup +merrily, and sing songs in DOVE DALE. + +_Painter._ I have done as you bid me, and put my quill in a secret +place, where I promise myself a trout. + +_Angler._ Do not doubt it: and therein is the great praise of +angling,—that hope is not only reasonable, but is enjoined upon them +that practise it; and but for that, angling might be a dull recreation. +And now recline yourself underneath this hawthorn, and entertain your +thoughts with the prospects I have brought you to. + +_Painter._ Indeed, the delightfulness of all I see, cannot be expressed +by words; and I beseech you what great cavern is at the top of that +rock? + +_Angler._ That is ‘Reynard’s Cave’—it is an admirable contrivance of +nature, and if you please, we may clamber up, and pay master Reynard a +visit in his Hall. + +_Painter._ You will not easily persuade me to that; why, Sir, it is +perpendicular! + +_Angler._ Well, well; as you please—nevertheless you would find no +difficulty worth the naming. And yonder is a rock called ‘Pickering +Tor,’ and that is the ‘Iron Chest:’—but come, take your cup; and here is +delicate meat, so fall to’t. + +_Painter._ It is excellent—and now my service to you and to that honest +angler we both know of—that meek friend of yours who described the +hunting of the Otter, near to Warwick, with so eloquent a pen. + +_Angler._ That is well remembered; and may he never want opportunity to +take his recreation in a clear stream; and now once more; for I must +drink to another that I love as my own soul—that ordained Priest of our +Holy Church, one of the ornaments and the delight of Merton College in +Oxford. I may not break out into an eulogium that his disposition would +rebuke, if he were present with us: but he cannot deny me the joy to +drink his health;—so join with me! + +_Painter._ Most gladly—fill up, Sir! Where was he last heard of? + +_Angler._ Near to the Rialto at Venice; but he now walks in his leisure +about the Colossæum in Rome, or the Baths of Titus, or it may be in +Dionysius’s Ear at Syracuse, in Sicily; for thither he purposed in his +mind to go. + +_Painter._ And I joy to think that, as in some other concurrences, so in +his travels he is like to Sir Henry Wotton, who ‘_laid aside his books_’ +(that he loved so well) ‘_and betook himself to the useful library of +travel, and a more general conversation with mankind, to adorn his mind +and to purchase the rich treasure of foreign knowledge_.’ And this is +declared of Sir Henry Wotton, by Mr. Izaak Walton, in his life of that +excellent scholar. And may your, no less learned and esteemed, kinsman +have all his wishes: for these I know to be full of moderateness, peace +and contentment, and to have their beginning and ending in his blessed +Master’s service. + +_Angler._ That is true: and so, here’s a distant health to thee, + + ‘HENRICE, MI OCELLE,’ + +from the banks of Dove to Tiber. + +_Painter._ Salveto! ‘_Henrice, mi ocelle._’— + +_Angler._ As Sir Henry Wotton was called by that learned Italian +ALBERICUS GENTILIS, and by divers of Sir Henry’s dearest friends, and +many other persons of note during his stay in the University.[77]—And +now, brother, do you look and see if you have chanced to make a catch. + +_Painter._ How now?—my float has disappeared!—Trust me I have a +knabble—there is a large trout has taken me. I thought that was a likely +fall—see how he turns and wriggles, and how he throws off tuggingly. +Here is an angler’s delight! and all this on the margin of the Dove! + +_Angler._ Beware of him; thus— + +_Painter._ By your leave, Sir! let me have all the honour to myself: so, +so—now he dives down, and up again with a leap; look at his twistings +and turnings! + +_Angler._ Ay, he’ll soon give over. There, now we may net him, and a +fine fish he is; not less than two pounds weight. What would your master +Walton say to this? + +_Painter._ I hope he would applaud me. + +_Angler._ Come, try for another; this is a likely hole. Look you, +there’s another bite; now check him—ah! he’s broke away. + +_Painter._ Indeed he has: I’m sorry I lost him. I’ll try again—look you! +another!—now, Sir tumbler, you may do your worst. + +_Angler._ Point the top of your rod to those cliffs; you are all +right;—see how he shakes the tackle, give him line, for he’s a strong +fish. + +_Painter._ Trust me, he’s bigger than the last; the water is so clear +you may see him struggle: now he drives against the stream. + +_Angler._ Turn him back, or you may lose him behind that stone. ’Tis +well done—‘_why what a dangerous man are you!_’—here’s the net, and now +he is landed! + +_Painter._ I thank you. This is a sport indeed! O the contentment of +happy anglers! how many years I have lost since you first invited me to +go a-fishing: but I was then deaf to your persuasions, and I would never +believe you. Well, I declare it hath a gayness that is admirable. But +come, I would not be so selfish as to wish for more, until I see you +handle a trout. + +_Angler._ Well;—let us try lower down. But first of all let us have a +song; and do you begin. + +_Painter._ What shall I sing? + +_Angler._ Let it be that sonnet to the spring in Sir John Davies’s +Astrea—‘_Earth now is green, and heaven is blue_.’ + +_Painter._ Well—and so it shall. + + ‘E-arth now is green, and heaven is blue; + L-ively spring which makes all new, + J-olly spring doth enter; + S-weet young sunbeams do subdue + A-ngry aged winter. + B-lasts are wild, and seas are calm, + E-v’ry meadow flows with balm, + T-he earth wears all her riches; + H-armonious birds sing such a psalm + A-s ear and heart bewitches. + R-eserve, sweet spring, this nymph of ours, + E-ternal garlands of thy flowers, + G-reen garlands never wasting; + I-n her shall last our state’s fair spring, + N-ow and for ever flourishing + A-s long as heav’n is lasting!’ + +_Angler._ I thank you, and now because you have sung these cheerful +verses, I’ll give you a song, ‘apt both for viols and voices,’ by John +Wilbye. + +_Painter._ Come then! and sing it finely. + +_Angler._ I’ll do my best to please you. + + Happy streams, whose trembling fall, + With still summer softly gliding, + Happy birds, whose chirping call + With sweet melody delighting, + Hath moved her flinty and relentless heart + To listen to your harmony, + And set securely in these downs apart, + Enchanted with your melody. + Sing on and carol forth your glee, + She grants you leave her ‘rays to see.’ + Happy were I could love so delight her; + But aye, alas! my love doth despite her. + +_Painter._—An exceeding sweet melody, and I beseech you sing it over +again; and after that I shall be ready to go with you. So—I like it even +better than at first. + +_Angler._ Come now, let us pack up the wallet, and take our walk. + +_Painter._ I am all ready. But what is here? we are come to a stop. + +_Angler._ Away with you: ’tis a sound footing at bottom, and scarce knee +deep. + +_Painter._ Halt, good Sir; you do not expect me to walk into the river. + +_Angler._ If you are resolved against it, here you may stay; for you see +how the river washes the very basement of this perpendicular rock, and +climb you cannot. Come, Sir,——follow me bravely: it is but ‘_a spit and +a stride_;’ or I’ll carry you mounted a pick-back. + +_Painter._ O! let it not be said. ‘What man dare, I dare;’ so lead on, +I’ll truss up my hose, and be after you. Ah me! I was up to my knees; +but now I am well past. + +_Angler._ If you will be a fisher, never fear, for it is your proper +element: but, Sir, did you hear that trout by the further bank? + +_Painter._ You may be sure I did, and saw him too. + +_Angler._ Well then, I must needs in and wade, if I would twist my fly +thither. + +_Painter._ Trust me, I am not coming after you. I find nothing of that +in my master’s book; he declares, ‘how the very sitting by the river’s +side is not only the quietest and fittest place for contemplation, but +will invite an angler to it;’ and think you, he would bring his scholar +to sit under an honeysuckle hedge, and express his cheerfulness when he +reclined himself on ‘the primrose bank,’ if he meant him to wabble in +the water? and I beseech you, call to mind those thoughts of his, which +he turned into verse, ‘when he sat on the grass, and there wished to +meditate his time away.’ + +_Angler._ ’Tis all very true; nevertheless, Mr. Walton himself must at +sometimes be contented to wet his boots, if he would fill his pannier +out of the Dove; wherefore, delicate Mr. PICTOR, I now leave you to +meditate on the silent pleasures of this flowery bank; + + So sit you still, + And watch your quill, + While I the trout entangle. + +_Painter._ That will I do; and you may be as big-hearted and get as wet +as you list:—but harkye, Sir; be not over-confident, or you may haste +only to stumble. Call to your remembrance Mr. Boyle’s Treatise of +‘ANGLING IMPROVED TO SPIRITUAL USES,’ how Eugenius, having ‘_espied a +convenient nook for his angling, invited his friend Lindamor to share +the advantage with him, and began to walk thitherward along the river’s +brink? but he had not marcht very far when chancing to tread on a place, +where the course of the water had worn off the bank, and made it hollow +underneath, he found the earth faulter under him, and could not hinder +his feet from slipping down with the turf that betrayed him._’[78] + +_Angler._ I do remember: and if that should chance to be my predicament, +I hope you would have the civility of Lindamor, that ‘_catcht hold of +him, and drew him to the firm land_.’ + +_Painter._ O Signor Pescatore, doubt not my charity, though I might not +deny myself the same liberty that Honourable Mr. Boyle took with his +friend Eugenius, ‘_to make himself merry a while with the disaster when +he found it to be harmless_.’ + +_Angler._ Well—well, Sir, I give you leave; and let him laugh that wins, +I am not afraid of a somersault if a good fish chop at my fly. + +_Painter._ Farewell then: and I’ll go lower down and please myself. + +_Angler._ Ay, good brother, do so; and pr’ythee reach me the landing net +before you go. + +_Painter._ There it is, and I wish you may have sport. + +_Angler._ Look you, Sir; I have a fish; ’tis a small one, I grant you. + +_Painter._ Do you call that a fish? he’s a piccolo—a pisciculus;—and +listen—methinks I heard him speak. + +_Angler._ Speak? mayhap thou takest him to be ‘VOX PISCIS, or the +BOOK-FISH, contayning three treatises which were found in the belly of a +Cod-fish in Cambridge market on Midsummer Eve last.’[79] And since thou +art so imbued with fish-learning, I beseech you to tell me whether this +be a trout, or what other fish I have caught? + +_Painter._ I know not if it be the _Dog-fish_, the _Sea-calfe_, the +_Porpus_ or _Hog-fish_, or the _Asse-fish_ called in Latin _Asellus_:—or +perchance it may be the _Monk-fish_—the _Mere-man_ or the _Mermaid_: all +which I remit to your better judgment. But listen, I say; for though I +am not so wise a philosopher as Æsop, I have, methinks, suddenly +imparted to me his noted intelligence of fishes’ language, and certes I +hear this one speak. + +_Angler._ Well then, will it please your marvellous wisdom to be our +mutual interpreter, and give me the substance of this learned fish’s +soliloquy? + +_Painter._ It is no soliloquy; for his address is to yourself,—and +seeing (or it may be feeling) how you are taking the hook out of his +gills with a most relentless love, and are going to put him into your +basket, he opens his mouth, and in a pathetical voice implores your +pity, making his humble suit that you would be pleased to throw him into +the river again,—by reason he is young and insignificant, and not so +well worth your while as he shall be some time hereafter, _if_ you catch +him when he is grown more considerable. + +_Angler._ Oh—ho! Go to—Go to—thou art a wag; and I beseech you give my +duty to him in the same learned hidden language which he hath so +eloquently pleaded in; and tell him I am not one of those fools who quit +a certainty for an uncertainty;—and that a ‘fish in the pannier’s worth +two in the pond.’ But stay—because he is a grayling, and not a trout, +I’ll e’en put him in again, and let him grow till Christmas for Mr. +Cotton’s amusement. But now look you, brother, saw you that great fish +leap from the water? + +_Painter._ I did; he looked as big as a salmon; give him the temptation +of your fly. + +_Angler._ Trust me. There he is, I have him fast. So, so, Master +Bullyhuff, you are not like the last; you are for a hard bout, I see. +Ah, ah! this is a trial of strength, and I fear for my tackling. + +_Painter._ In with him, Sir. + +_Angler._ Nay, let me be gentle. Look you, that was his last struggle; +there he lies his length on the water. So, I have him, and he is full +eighteen inches long. Well, Mr. Painter! what say you now to my Dove? + +_Painter._ I declare to you it is all a bewitchment: my tongue is ready +to praise every next turning of the river more than the other; and I +scarce know which to like best, this angling, or the landskips. Look +you! there again are rocks springing up like steeples on this side, and +on that: it is all full of surprises. + +_Angler._ Those rocks are called the ‘Tissington Spires;’ for that +retired village lies but the distance of a walk to the left, passing +through Bentley that you know of; and here are two rocks that have +slided from the cliff, and have thrust themselves into the river; they +are known to be ‘The Brothers,’ and so I have brought you within a view +of Thorpe Cloud. + +_Painter._ Is that Thorpe Cloud? + +_Angler._ None other, believe me. + +_Painter._ Well, I declare! he is more changeable than a Proteus; for +here he looks like a beheaded cone. + +_Angler._ And now, brother, you are come towards the end of the Dale. + +_Painter._ Tell me not this sad news: I may not believe it! or if it be +true indeed, let us recline ourselves on these banks by the stream, and +meditate for an hour or two, and angle and sing, and angle again; and +after that beguile the time with some passages out of Mr. Walton’s book. +Or, if we must needs depart, let us first, ‘_sit down by the waters, and +hang our harps upon the willows, and weep_.’ + +_Angler._ I am charmed to think how these sweet prospects have engaged +and fixed your affections; and how you are now become a professed +angler, and how at some future time you may desire to take another walk +on the banks of my River Dove. But, I beseech you, climb with me to the +top of this accessible rock, that is called by the country folk here +about, ‘The Lover’s Leap:’ there you may look back on an upward prospect +of the Dove, that is more remarkable than any other you have seen. And +after that, you shall explore some quiet nooks and corners by other +streams, and hear something marvellous I have to tell you of. + +_Painter._ Well, I am content to follow your footsteps wherever you are +pleased to lead me. + +_Angler._ And now we have scrambled up, let us sit on the grass, and +tell me what you think? + +_Painter._ I know not what to think or say. Where shall all these +wonders end! here is one of the most enchanting surveys that this or any +other county in England can exhibit. + +_Angler._ Do you observe how the Dale is drawn out to the greatest +length possible? for passing back again by those ‘Tissington Spires,’ +and the two ‘Brothers,’ and the rocks above ‘Reynard’s Cave,’ the eye +may look almost as far as ‘the Shepherd’s Abbey;’ and all the way along, +an exceeding number of pellucid waterfalls, and other varieties of the +river make this vale an excellent subject for contemplation. + +_Painter._ And the cliffs on either side of the valley are adorned with +shady woods, and a singular combination of natural beauties. + +_Angler._ Come then, good brother, let us go down again, and take our +walk along the stream to the right hand, as it flows between Thorpe +Cloud and that opposite hill; and here are some leaping stones, where we +may now cross into Staffordshire, and part company with our Dove. + +_Painter._ I am sorry to hear it. + +_Angler._ But only for awhile, till we light on her again in some +meadows lower down, and then find her swelled by other rivers that may +pass for wonders. + +_Painter._ Indeed! but what is here? Marry, Sir, I thought not to come +again so quickly to the Dove; methinks she has taken us unaware. + +_Angler._ This is not the Dove, but the river Manifold; and now do you +follow me to the left hand, where I may bring you to a most shady +retired spot imaginable. + +_Painter._ How! another rapid spring, that suddenly starts into life, +and in a few yards is a handsome stream! Let us recline ourselves here +awhile. + +_Angler._ I am quite willing; and methinks, for a near sylvan prospect, +we have seen none better since we left Pike Pool; for here you have a +thick grove of trees, and such a calmness as makes it a most enchanting +retreat; and the murmuring waters of this infant brook, with their +harmonious cadency. + +_Painter._ And see how the river Manifold hurries away, rejoicing as it +were in her liberty. + +_Angler._ And let me tell you, with greater reason than you know of. + +_Painter._ How mean you? + +_Angler._ Of that hereafter; but see, there are the lowing cattle come +from the meadows to drink; therefore, I beseech you, compose them into a +landskip. + +_Painter._ You shall see presently.——there——I have given you the +milkmaid’s mother, with her milch kine, and there is ‘honest Maudlin’ +herself, who sung that sweet song to Mr. Walton and his friend VENATOR; + + ‘Come live with me, and be my love, + ‘And we will all the pleasures prove, + ‘That valleys, groves, or hills, or field, + ‘Or woods, and steepy mountains yield!’ + +_Angler._ Bravely done! On my word, this picture takes a breathing of +life from your pencil; + + ‘Where we will sit, upon the rocks, + ‘And see the shepherds feed their flocks, + ‘By shallow rivers, to whose falls + ‘Melodious birds sing madrigals!’ + +not Claude Lorraine, nor Kuyp himself, could surpass that whole picture, +for it has the very stamp of nature. + +_Painter._ Enough, enough; let us be going, and what have we here? A +bridge, and a pretty village with a little parish church! Where are we +come to? + +_Angler._ I have now brought you to Ilam Church: and see the door is +haply open; so let us accept this accidental invitation. And now you are +to note, this is the ancient tomb of good Bertram, who there lies (so +much of him as could perish) and waits for that joyful day of the +resurrection, when all the holy angels and the spirits of saints shall +meet the coming of our Lord in the clouds of heaven. + +_Painter._ And here is the carved altar that may put the villagers in +mind of the Supper of the Lord, and instil into them an earnest desire +to partake of the Holy Communion, that they may eat and drink, and feed +on Him in their hearts by faith,—and be thankful. + +_Angler._ And see this old font in stone, which hath a sacramental +charm; for therein the people from age to age have brought their sons +and daughters to be baptized into Christ’s flock, and be regenerated, +and made children of God and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven. And I +may take upon me to say that all these things make this church the +centre-point of the secret reverence and holy affections of the peaceful +villagers, lifting them up to a revelation of the next world.——But, +seeing how time wears apace, I will conduct you forth again: and now +look at this high hill, shaped like an amphitheatre, and beneath is the +rocky bed of a river. + +_Painter._ A river! why here is not a drop of water to wet a fly’s wing! + +_Angler._ That is true. I said not a river, but the bed of a river, and +of such an one as, had she a tongue, might declare many rarities she has +beheld, and dark doings of that prison-house, where she was lately +detained against her will: nay, for any thing I know, she might have +furnished to that stern regicide, Mr. John Milton, or the great Dante, +some arguments for another poem of the shades below. + +_Painter._ How! you are grown enigmatical. + +_Angler._ Come, then, step with me to this rock in Mr. Port’s garden: +here is a well in the rock;—so tell me what you see? + +_Painter._ I see a great stream pouring itself out in circling eddies +from the ground. + +_Angler._ Now mark, that is the river Hamps; and here she joins herself +to another within a few yards distance. + +_Painter._ A second stream! and bigger than the first, bursts forth in a +whirlpool! + +_Angler._ True; and you are to note this is the river Manifold. See how +joyfully she receives that lesser Hamps, and then flows away with her to +the shady grove of trees, where you and I so lately reclined ourselves. +Trust me they are glad to breathe the air once more, and to play their +gambols in the meadows, after their long imprisonment; for it is a known +truth, these rivers have made an underground journey within the natural +caverns of the earth, for some miles distance. + +_Painter._ Impossible! I would not be so uncivil to disbelieve any thing +you say; but as touching your Staffordshire rivers, you take a +traveller’s privilege to be marvellous. + +_Angler._ Well, well; I perceive you think this to be all a fable; yet +it’s no less true because it is a wonder: for the last time I came this +way I examined into the nature of it; and, as I am an honest angler, I +saw the very inlet, underneath some high rocks, about Whetton Mill, +where the waters of the Manifold are gurged and lost to every eye: and +the same of Hamps, that is received into its Subterraneous channels, +near to a place called the Waterhouses. And so they take their circuit +through mysterious secret caves and grottoes, which no man has explored, +till they make their happy escape out of imprisonment into these +gardens, and, as you are now a witness, embrace with mutual +gratulations, and hurry themselves away to tell their dark adventures to +the matchless Dove. + +_Painter._ Well, I am glad that is the place of their shelter; and I am +enchanted with this romance of the rivers: for, indeed, all the +surrounding prospect is fit to be called a fairy land. There is Thorpe +Cloud maintains himself proudly, and this circle of opposite hills, and +the church, with its ancient porch and tracery of windows, all of +painted glass, beside Mr. Port’s mansion-house, and his ornamental +gardens. + +_Angler._ It is indeed all very fine; but it’s time to be gone, so let +us follow these rivers till we are come to the bridge. See, here it is, +and now we may cross over and walk by the right bank of the Manifold; +and so we are once more come to the stream that we both love better than +any. + +_Painter._ Is this the Dove? + +_Angler._ The same; she is just from the foot of Thorpe Cloud, by yonder +channel to the right hand; and now that we are arrived at this high +bank, look again upon the landskip. There the Manifold joins itself to +the Dove, and there are those meadows, which ‘are too pleasant to be +looked upon, but only on holidays;’ and see the mountains that are now +darker than they were two hours agone, which is our warning that we are +not yet come to Ashbourne; so thither away. + +_Painter._ As you please, brother; but remember, on this only condition, +that we walk on the brink of the Dove, as far as we may. + +_Angler._ That is a short pleasure; for here is another bridge will +bring us into Derbyshire; and now methinks I see Mapleton Church before +us; so we must take our farewell of Dove. + +_Painter._ Alas the day! + +_Angler._ Well, well; let us catch some trouts, and then be going. + +_Painter._ Ay, so we will. Look you, Sir, my tools are fitted. + +_Angler._ So soon! then ply your work—each for a brace. + +_Painter._ It is agreed. I will this way down to the stream. + +_Angler._ So be it; and I for yonder bent, where the water runs +crisping. + +_Painter._ Away with you! I’ll lay the odds on Master Walton’s cork and +bait, against Mr. Cotton’s fly. + +_Angler._ Done—the wager? + +_Painter._ He that takes the first brace shall mix a cup of good Canary +at Mapleton, and the other shall pay the scores without grudging. + +_Angler._ I am content—so do your worst— + +_Painter._ Well, good brother, what sport? I have caught but one, and +that’s a troutlet. + +_Angler._ Indeed! look you, here is a couple of big ones. + +_Painter._ Ah! well—I’m but a prentice in the art: I confess I’ve lost +my wager, and am ready to pay the forfeit. + +_Angler._ Well: that’s like an angler, honestly spoken—so let us away. + +_Painter._ But make me this promise, that we may (God willing) come +hither again, next summer, a-fishing; and so read that book of Mr. +Walton, whom I love better than ever I did, because you have taught me +how many pleasures are to be found in his recreation of angling. + +_Angler._ Trust me, I shall want no persuasion to walk in your company +by the Dove, in the merry month of May, and then do nothing but angle +and rejoice, as you know we have done these last days, and ‘sat as +quietly and as free from cares, under hawthorn trees and rocks, as +Virgil’s Tityrus and his Melibœus did beneath their broad beach tree:’ +so says Mr. Walton; and now let me read you these natural thoughts out +of his book.—Here it is: ‘No life, my honest scholar, no life so happy +and so pleasant as the life of a well governed angler; for when the +lawyer is swallowed up with business, and the statesman is preventing or +contriving plots, then we sit on cowslip banks, hear the birds sing, and +possess ourselves in as much quietness as these silent silver streams, +which we now see glide so quietly by us. Indeed, my good scholar, we may +say of angling, as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries, “Doubtless God +could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did;” and so (if +I might be judge,) God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent +recreation than angling.’ + +_Painter._ Every word is true. And what a thankful heart my master has! + +_Angler._ Ay, truly; and hear how he persuades every man to +thankfulness; he said to his companion, ‘Let us not forget to praise God +for the innocent mirth and pleasure we have enjoyed since we have met +together. What would a blind man give to see the pleasant rivers, and +meadows, and flowers, and fountains we have looked upon, since we met +together!’ And now we are come to Mapleton, and here’s a clean alehouse; +and the host is a modest man, and hath a fine smooth bowling green; so +before we go back to Ashbourne, let us rest awhile, and refresh +ourselves with the cup you are to pay for. Come, host, bring us a bottle +of that Canary wine you gave me the last time I was this way in company +with a gentleman fisher; and remember the lemon stuck round about with +spices, and some of that sweet cake, that we may be merry with +discretion, as all true anglers are wont to be. There is a large trout +for our civil hostess, with my service to her. And now, brother, let us +walk into the garden, that is so neat and handsome; here you have a +various herbal, fit for a country house-wife, like our hostess: here is +hyssop, marjory, and penny-royal, and thyme, and all kinds of +fruit-trees. + +_Painter._ It is all very good, and here is the bowling ground; it looks +like a green velvet. Look, how exceeding smooth;—how the bowls glide +along! Where is the jack? Come, let us play at bowls till the Nectar is +ready. + +_Angler._ Agreed: there, I have set the jack; now do you bowl first. + +_Painter._ Nay, after you; so, so, master, you are short of the jack: +look, look, mine is the nearest. + +_Angler._ Nay, it is a measuring cast; but here goes one will overlay +him. Pish! I have shot him over wide—he had an untrue bias. + +_Painter._ Well, then; here’s another. + +_Angler._ That was curiously pitched: now for a last endeavour. Ah, me! +that has knocked your first bowl to the jack: I am sure he was wrong +biassed. + +_Painter._ Well, I thank you; and so, let me try this;—and now another. + +_Angler._ The game is yours. + +_Painter._ And here comes the host. Let us have our repast under this +yew tree, that is not less than a hundred years old; here is a +table,—and settles ready prepared. + +_Angler._ With all my heart, for it seems a pleasant arbour. Come, Sir, +fill the glasses. + +_Painter._ The liquor is exceedingly good: and this even Mr. Walton and +Mr. Cotton would declare, if they were cup-and-can with us. I doubt not +but they are acquainted with this ‘_honest alehouse_,’ and have rested +themselves on these settles, after a day’s fishing in the Dove, and been +refreshed with a cup of good barley wine, and sung _Old Rose_ together, +and played at bowls on this green turf. Do you remember that bowling +ground by the Tower? Think what a choice prospect was there! On one side +the fishing-house, and on another the mansion that we looked over so +pleasantly. + +_Angler._ That was indeed a charming prospect! Then have you forgot the +flower garden at the foot of the Tower, and Mr. Walton’s and Mr. +Cotton’s portraits, and all the landskips in the fishing-house, which +you painted in your book; and after that Pike Pool, where you landed +that big trout; and the great Hall, and your master Walton’s chamber? + +_Painter._ No more, no more,—lest I forget all discretion, and, +retracing my footsteps, hie me back to Beresford. O! that place is a +delight for innocent anglers. There a man is raised to an excess of +pleasure; he may go forth in the morning and hear the birds ‘warble +forth their ditties:’ the rocks, and the woods, and the merry streams +are the books he reads in; the sun, and the clouds, and the wind are his +oracles to consult; and the speckled trout is his play-fellow, that +makes her gambols and her somersaults for his entertainment. Call you +this an idleness? It were a pretty treason to deny that it is the most +refined, gentle, and gaysome recreation that a man may indulge in; that +is to say, for his leisurable hours,—since only then it may be +reasonable.—— + +_Angler._ Hey day, Master! not so fast; ‘a man need to have the patience +of Job, that he may sit silently by the river, and look down at nothing +but his float.’[80] + +_Painter._ Nay, did I say that? + +_Angler._ ‘Nevertheless, I cannot but pity your dumpish anglers, that +wait so meekly for their fortunes, as to seem fixed with all the gravity +of carved statues on the margin of their streams[81]——’ + +_Painter._ Enough, enough; I said that in ignorance of the joys of +anglers. I will never be a scoffer again; and I beseech you to blot +those words from your memory, and note me down your willing companion +this way a-fishing, every year that God gives us health for such a sweet +walk in the month of May. For remember, this life is short, and is not +in our own hands; ‘_it is as a flower of the field that fadeth_:’ and +what says Mr. Robert Herrick, whose verses you both love and sing so +well? + + Fair daffodils, we weep to see + You haste away so soon; + As yet the early-rising sun + Has not attain’d his noon: + Stay, stay + Until the hast’ning day + Has run + But to the even song; + And having pray’d together, we + Will go with you along. + + We have short time to stay, as you, + We have as short a spring, + As quick a growth to meet decay + As you, or any thing. + We die, + As your hours do; and dry + Away, + Like to the Summer’s rain, + Or as the pearls of morning dew, + Ne’er to be found again. + +But come, brother, you must make me a return for these lines; and then +let us be going, for I have appointed a servant with my horses to meet +me in Ashbourne, that I may reach my house at —— —— to-night. + +_Angler._ Well, then, if I give you a plaintive ditty, put it to the +account of our parting: it is that sweet sonnet from the Passionate +Pilgrim, composed by the greatest bard of the last or any other age. + + As it fell upon a day, + In the merry month of May, + Sitting in a pleasant shade, + Which a grove of myrtles made; + Lambs did leap, and birds did sing; + Trees did grow, and plants did spring. + Every thing did banish moan, + Save the nightingale alone. + She, poor bird, as all forlorn, + Lean’d her breast up-till a thorn; + And there sung the dolefull’st ditty, + That to hear it was great pity. + Fie—fie—fie—now would she cry, + Teru, Teru, by and by. + That to hear her so complain, + Scarce I could from tears refrain: + For her griefs, so lively shown, + Made me think upon mine own. + Ah! (thought I) thou mourn’st in vain, + None take pity on thy pain. + Senseless trees they cannot hear thee; + Ruthless beasts they will not cheer thee; + All thy fellow birds do sing, + Careless of thy sorrowing. + Even so, poor bird, like thee, + None alive will pity me.[82] + +And now, good brother, it is almost time to be at home. + +_Painter._ Well—I’ll pay the reckoning, and then let’s away: but what is +here? + +_Angler._ We are come again to a lower part of the same Bentley Brook we +saw before; so let us pass over; and now we are to the top of the hill. + +_Painter._ What noise was that?— + + Hark, hark, I hear the dancing, + And a nimble morris-prancing. + +Look over the hedge: there they are! there is a troop of lads and +maidens down in yonder green meadows a-dancing. + +_Angler._ And so they are!—tripping it merrily round to the tabor and +pipe. + +_Painter._ And, look you, there’s a bevy of innocent milkmaids, leading +a fine sleek cow for a whipt syllabub: see how she is deck’d with +ribands and scarfs, and wreaths of flowers, and her horns tipped with +gold. + +_Angler._ And there the young woodmen begin to dance with the maidens in +blue kirtles: how they foot it to the measure! Out upon the cares and +tumults of a court life. I do love to see these honest country +junketings, and I pray that merry England may always have a race of +happy peasants, and not let melancholy Precisians[83] forbid them to +rejoice their tired spirits with lawful sports in the flowery meadows +and greenwoods. Hark! how they laugh their sorrows away. + +_Painter._ But stay awhile: they have set themselves down upon the +grass; let us see what they will do. + +_Angler._ Hist—hist—they are challenging each other to sing—and now they +have begun their + + SONG. + + Now is the month of Maying, + When merry lads are playing; Falalalalala. + Each with his bonny lass + Upon the greeny grass. Falalalala. + + The spring clad all in gladness + Doth laugh at winter’s sadness: Falala. + And to the bagpipe’s sound + The nymphs tread out their ground. Falalalala. + + Fye then, why sit we musing, + Youth’s sweet delight refusing: Falala. + Say, daintie nymphs, and speak, + Shall we play barley-break? + + Falalalalala.[84] Falalalala. + +_Painter._ There’s a ballet for you! a most merry madrigal set to music +by a choice hand. + +_Angler._ And now they are silent: and there come the little maids with +baskets of bride cakes, and knots of ribbands at their bosoms, with +nosegays and bunches of rosemary in their hands. + +_Painter._ Now trust me, it is some rustical wedding day; and there you +may see the bride in the midst, in a russet gown, and a kirtle of fine +worsted. + +_Angler._ And there goes the bride cup, all streaming with bride laces +of red and white, and full of spiced posset, that the bridegroom serves +her with:—and look you, the tankards are passing round. + +_Painter._ See—see! the lusty woodman has put on his high crown’d hat, +turned up with a silver clasp, and leads out his bride to the dance: +mark with how special a coyness she gives him her hand; but you may +depend she will foot it with the best as soon as she begins. + +_Angler._ There’s the bagpipe again: by my word, Sir, they are going to +Canary it. Now look at my Gentleman in his yellow stockings, and his +fellows all ready. + +_Painter._ No, no: they are for a Corantoe. Is it not excellent? with +what a gravity they frolic it up and down. + +_Angler._ Ay, ’tis a merry bridal, + + Whilst youthful sports are lasting, + To feasting turn your fasting; + With revels and with wassails + Make grief and care your vassals: + +but come, we may not tarry. + +_Painter._ Well then I am with you. So farewell! ye peaceful sons and +daughters of nature: and may ye never want a spiced bride ale to make +you cheerful and thankful hearts withal. + +_Angler._ Hither away then; and now you may see the town of Ashbourne in +the valley, which is to be my resting place to-night. + +_Painter._ Alas! I am very loth to part with you; but thou shalt be +remembered in my prayers. And one thing I am resolved, when on occasion +the cares of life come against me, or the fears of greater afflictions, +I will then say to myself, ‘It is now but so and so before the month of +May, when I will throw off all my moody thoughts on the banks of some +retired river, and it may be by the side of Mr. Cotton’s fishing-house.’ + +_Angler._ It is bravely resolved, and the more so, because I know by +experience, how a seclusion from the noisy world is a favourable aid and +opportunity for religious services,—helps to soften the affections, and +inclines them to a sublime love to God,—and if that be wanting, all +others do but delude. + +_Painter._ True; and consider the motives we have to that love; think of +that proper and peculiar attraction—loveliness; and indeed Honourable +Mr. Robert Boyle has declared, how such was the freeness of God’s love +towards us, and so entirely was that love its own motive, that even our +existence in the world is the effect of it; nay, He even ‘_loved us +before the foundation of the world_.’ And consider again the rich +discoveries of His free love in sending His Son to redeem us. Think of +the Divine glory shrouded in the veil of manhood, and so tempered to the +weak eyesight of a fallen race; of His weariness and watchings—of the +buffet, mocking, and scourge, the injurious condemnation, and the +uplifted Cross. And let us not forget how God loves to dwell, by His +Spirit, in them whom He has drawn and disposed to love His Son: ‘_He +that loveth me_,’ said the blessed Jesus, ‘_shall be loved of my Father, +and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him._’ + +_Angler._ Vast and exalted love! Oh the extreme abjectedness of our +hearts, that cannot soar up to the skies, and there be ravished with a +contemplation of such glorious love. It is enough to stir our +penitential shame, to think of the dulness of our apprehensions! Let us +often secretly, and alone by ourselves, pray for divine grace, that our +souls may be able to rise to the throne of HIM that only can strengthen +them. I might enlarge, but now I must stop here: only this is most +certain, the angler’s retirement is sweetened by a contemplation of +God’s attributes; and the breath of praise perfumes even the banks of +flowers he reclines himself upon, ‘_for the prayers of saints are golden +vials full of odours_.’ And if he desires the best company, let him join +the heavenly choir in spiritual adoration. Therefore, let all lovers of +the angle be lovers of prayer, because they have best opportunity to it; +and I would have them be lovers of God, for they have most reason to be +so. And now, brother, the Talbot is before us, and there is your waiting +man. + +_Painter._ This parting comes too soon: do you remember how ‘_the soul +of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as +his own soul_?’[85] and how, when they parted, they kissed one another, +and wept one with another: and ‘_Jonathan stripped himself of the robe +that was upon him, and gave it to David!_’[86] + +_Angler._ And so he did, and also ‘_his sword and his bow, and his +girdle_,’ for ‘_he delighted much in David_.’ + +_Painter._ Well, then, here is a parting gift, that is offered with a +love equal to Jonathan’s, notwithstanding this testimony is so unworthy: +here is my little book, that is no longer a blank book, but full of rude +pictures: they are all your’s, and welcome. They will bring to your mind +some thoughts of the mutual pleasures we have felt along the banks of +the Dove: and you may remember from them, that it was out of love for +you I came this walk; and how you rewarded me beyond my hope, because +you taught me some inward secrets, and sent me back to my house a happy +composed ANGLER. + +_Angler._ Indeed, dear brother, I’m in a strait how to answer you; only +let me embrace you, as those loving friends kissed one another; and when +I next go angling, ‘_thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be +empty_.’[87] But we have made a covenant, like Jonathan and David, and +let it be for the ‘glorious twenty-ninth of May.’ And for this book of +drawings, I shall esteem it to be more precious than any thing else I +know of; and indeed I love you for this and many other bounties you have +bestowed on me. And now you may oblige me in one thing more, for my +consolation at parting. + +_Painter._ Any thing you desire is, in a manner, performed. + +_Angler._ It is this: here is my angle rod, and my landing net and +pouch—I beseech you, let them obtain your acceptance. I do not say it +out of ostentation, but there are some flies in that pouch that are +artfully twisted; and above all others, I present you with the COMPLEAT +ANGLER, in two parts, writ by Mr. Walton and Mr. Cotton; therein we have +found many passages of true piety, that may sometimes again contribute +to your peace and contentment. + +_Painter._ A thousand thanks to you; and I accept these gifts of your +love as freely as they are offered; and when we meet again, you shall +give me some instructions in your better art of fly-fishing. And now ‘_I +salute you with a holy kiss—Go in peace_.’ + +_Angler._ Farewell, brother; and remember always how the ornament of a +meek and quiet spirit is, in the sight of God, of great price.—‘_Follow +peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the +Lord._’[88] We have had some innocent days of leisure amidst the +beauties of the natural world: but let us not forget to give all +diligence in our journey to the glories of the spiritual world. For +these pleasures of the earth are but a faint shadow of the blessedness +of the heavenly Sion. Let us be prepared in the whole armour of +Christian soldiers, that when our temporal warfare is accomplished, we +may receive an eternal crown; and rest and refresh ourselves beside the +‘_pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the +throne of God and of the Lamb_.’[89] Once more, farewell! + +[Illustration] + + + FINIS. + + + C. WHITTINGHAM, CHISWICK. + +----- + +Footnote 1: + + Arrian. Epict. l. I. c. 16.—ED. + +Footnote 2: + + ‘_A new ballad of bold Robin Hood; showing his birth, breeding, + valour, and marriage at Titbury Bullrunning. Calculated for the + meridian of Staffordshire, but may serve for Derbyshire or Kent._’—ED. + +Footnote 3: + + See Plott’s History of Staffordshire, p. 437, for an account of the + primitive right to claim the Flyke of Bacon, which Sir Philip de + Somerville was bound to keep hanging in his Hall, in token of his + fealty to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, for the manors of + Whichenovre and others. The same custom prevails at Dunmow in + Essex.—ED. + +Footnote 4: + + No doubt, in allusion to the Charter granted in 1381, by John of + Gaunt, to the troop of minstrels maintained at Tutbury Castle, in that + time of its splendour. The chief was appointed by the title of ‘King + of the Minstrels;’ and he had wardens and other officers under him to + maintain the rules of the Fraternity, and to levy fines for any + disorders.—_Plott’s Hist._—ED. + +Footnote 5: + + Drayton’s Polyolbion: Song 12, p. 207.—ED. + +Footnote 6: + + Henry V. Act III. Scene vii.—ED. + +Footnote 7: + + ‘The Art of Angling, written by Thomas Barker, an ancient practitioner + in the said Art.’ 12mo. London. 1651.—ED. + +Footnote 8: + + Gervase Markham. This book contains a Discourse of the general Art of + Fishing with the Angle or otherwise: and all the hidden secrets + belonging thereto. 4to. London. 1614.—ED. + +Footnote 9: + + Pleasure of Princes, ch. iii. p. 15.—ED. + +Footnote 10: + + The Secrets of Angling; teaching the choicest tooles, baytes, and + seasons for the taking of any fish in pond or river; practiced and + familiarly opened in three Bookes. By J. D. Esq. 8vo. London. + 1613.—ED. + +Footnote 11: + + Pleasure of Princes, ch. iii. p. 16.—ED. + +Footnote 12: + + Secrets of Angling, p. 20.—ED. + +Footnote 13: + + RETIREMENT. Irregular stanzas, addressed to Mr. Izaak Walton, and + prefixed to Mr. Cotton’s Instructions how to angle for a Trout or + Grayling in a clear stream. 1676.—ED. + +Footnote 14: + + ‘Unknown,’ because Walton ascribes the ‘SECRETS OF ANGLING’ to the pen + of Jo. Davors, Esquire: but Mr. Roger Jackson, by whom they were + published, ‘after the death of the author,’ entered them at the + Stationers’ Company, ‘1612, 23º Martii, _as practised and opened in + three books, by_ JOHN DENNYS, Esquire.’—ED. + +Footnote 15: + + Originally written in Greek; but that being lost, there is only a + Latin version, supposed to have been made by Rufinus in the 4th + century. Editio princeps, PASTOR à Nic. Gerbellio. Lat. Argent. 1522. + 4º—ED. + +Footnote 16: + + Translated into English by Cyprian Lucas, Gent. folio, 1588. Tartaglia + was a famous mathematician.—ED. + +Footnote 17: + + A gentleman of Dauphiny in the reign of Henry IV. Par. 1640. Fol.—ED. + +Footnote 18: + + London, Printed by Thomas Creede for Robert Dexter, dwelling in St. + Paul’s Church-yard, at the sign of the Brazen Serpent. 1599. 12mo.—ED. + +Footnote 19: + + THE RETIREMENT. Irregular stanzas by Charles Cotton.—ED. + +Footnote 20: + + Silk.—ED. + +Footnote 21: + + Barker’s Delight; or the Art of Angling, wherein are discovered many + rare secrets both for catching fish and dressing thereof, &c. 12º + 1657.—ED. + +Footnote 22: + + LORD CLARENDON, who greatly praises him in his ‘Characters of Eminent + Men,’ in the reigns of Charles I. and II.—ED. + +Footnote 23: + + THE HOLY BIBLE, conteyning the Old Testament, and the New; _newly + translated out of_ the Originall Tongues: and with the former + Translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesties special + Commandement. + + _Appointed to be read in Churches._ + + IMPRINTED at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the King’s Most + Excellent Majestie. ANNO DOM. 1611.—ED. + +Footnote 24: + + Rev. xxii. 17. + +Footnote 25: + + ‘BASILICON DORON,’ or a royal gift, written by James the First, and + addressed to his son Prince Henry. Originally printed at Edinburgh, by + R. Waldegrave in 1599.—ED. + +Footnote 26: + + That this friendship, so happily begun between the two poets, was a + lasting one we have undoubted evidence in Mr. Cotton’s Elegy ‘_To the + Memory of my worthy Friend Coll._ RICHARD LOVELACE,’ appended to a + posthumous edition of Lovelace’s _Lucasta_, printed in 1659, the year + after his death. In this collection of poems is one addressed by + Lovelace ‘To the noblest of our Youth, and best of Friends, CHARLES + COTTON, Esquire, being at _Beresford_, at his house in + _Staffordshire_;’ in which is the following testimony of gratitude for + Mr. Cotton’s having contributed to his necessities, when he was in + prison. + + ‘What fate was mine, when in mine obscure cave, + ‘Shut up almost close prisoner in a grave, + ‘Your beams could reach me through the vault of night, + ‘And canton the dark dungeon with light.’—ED. + +Footnote 27: + + William, Earl of Devonshire, mentioned in Cotton’s Wonders of the + Peak, p. 24. 1681.—ED. + +Footnote 28: + + Probably the son of Mr. Thomas Rolleston, who built the church at + Mayfield, in Dove Vale, in 1616.—_Pitt’s Survey of Staffordshire_, _p. + 225_.—ED. + +Footnote 29: + + Printed by M. F. for John Marriott and Richard Marriott, and are to be + sold at their shop in St. Dunstan’s Church-yard, Fleet Street, under + the Dyall, 1646. A posthumous work, as the poet died in 1644. Francis + Quarles, author of Divine Emblems, had been cup bearer to Elizabeth, + Electress Palatine, daughter of James I., and afterwards Secretary to + Archbishop Usher. His loyalty exposed him to persecution during the + Rebellion.—ED. + +Footnote 30: + + Is. xlix. 25. + +Footnote 31: + + The Secrets of Angling; teaching the choicest tooles, baits, and + seasons for the taking of any fish in pond or river: practised and + familiarly opened in three Books. By J. Davors, Esquire. 1652.—ED. + +Footnote 32: + + Ordination Service: charge to the priests.—ED. + +Footnote 33: + + Joel ii. 25. + +Footnote 34: + + Ezra iii. + +Footnote 35: + + Isa. xxiii. 8. + +Footnote 36: + + Is. i. 8. + +Footnote 37: + + S. Ignatius: Epist. ad Ephesiois, iii. 4. + +Footnote 38: + + His Majesty had so great a distaste to the use of _the weed_, that he + wrote a treatise against it, intituled, ‘A COUNTERBLAST TO TOBACCO.’ + It was re-published in 4to. in 1672, with ‘a learned discourse by Dr. + Everard Maynwaring, proving that tobacco is a procuring cause of the + scurvy.’ This royal pedantic treatise is thought to be a considerable + ‘_counterblast_’ to His Majesty’s fame as an author.—ED. + +Footnote 39: + + William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, a finished gentleman, and a most + distinguished patriot, was author of the well-known work on + horsemanship, originally published in French at Antwerp in 1658, fol., + and afterwards in English under the title of ‘A new Method and + extraordinary Invention to dress Horses, and work them according to + Nature, as also to perfect Nature by the Subtilty of Art.’ 1667. + fol.—ED. + +Footnote 40: + + In a poetic epistle to John Bradshaw, Esq. describing his journey from + London to _Basford Hall_, in his coach and four, he thus alludes to + the Tower: + + ‘Tuesday at noon at Lichfield town we baited, + ‘But there some friends, who long that hour had waited, + ‘So long detain’d me, that my charioteer + ‘Could drive that night but to Uttoxeter. + ‘And there the Wedn’sday, being market-day, + ‘I was constrain’d with some kind lads to stay, + ‘Tippling till afternoon, which made it night, + ‘When from my _Hero’s Tow’r_ I saw the light + ‘Of her Flambeaux, and fanci’d, as we drave, + ‘Each rising hillock was a swelling wave, + ‘And that I swimming was, in Neptune’s spight, + ‘To my long-long’d-for harbour of delight.’ + + Poems on several occasions, 1689, 8º.—ED. + +Footnote 41: + + The Planter’s Manual of railing, planting, and cultivating all Sorts + of Fruit-trees. London: 1675. 8vo.—ED. + +Footnote 42: + + A Panegyric to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, 1660. Folio.—ED. + +Footnote 43: + + The Moral Philosophy of the Stoics. Translated from the French of + Monsieur de Vaix, 1664. 8vo. And the Life of the Duke of Espernon, in + 12 Books, wherein the History of France is continued, &c. Translated + from the French of M. Girard. London: 1670. Folio.—ED. + +Footnote 44: + + Colonel Richard Lovelace inscribes a panegyric to him in his Lucasta. + And the following lines of Mr. Charles Cotton, addressed to the + painter on another occasion, are applicable to his own portrait, and + testify to the familiarity between the poet and the painter:— + + ‘Nature and art are here at strife; + ‘This shadow comes so near to life, + ‘Sit still, _dear Lely_, thou’st done that + ‘Thyself must love and wonder at.’ + + From a poem of Mr. Cotton’s, ‘_To my friend Mr. Lely_, on his picture + of the excellently virtuous lady, the Lady Isabella Thynne,’ POEMS ON + SEVERAL OCCASIONS. Printed 1689, 8º.—ED. + +Footnote 45: + + A PERAMBULATION OF KENT, containing the Descriptive Hystorie and + Customes of that Shyre, by _William Lambarde_, of Lincolnes Inne, + Gent. 1576. 12^o. He was one of the most eminent antiquaries of this + country, and declared by the great Camden to be as distinguished for + learning and piety. He was appointed Keeper of the Records in the + Tower, of which he presented an account to her Majesty, under the + title of Pandecta Rotulorum. This, with other great works, did not see + the light till published by his grandson in 1635. His tomb may be + found in the church of Sevenoaks.—ED. + +Footnote 46: + + The second wife of Mr. Cotton; Mary, the daughter of Sir William + Russell, and widow of Wingfield Cromwell, Earl of Ardglass.—ED. + +Footnote 47: + + Alexander Brome, a poet, born 1620, and died 1666, eminent for his + loyalty. His congratulatory poem on the miraculous and glorious return + of Charles 2nd, fol. was published 1660; and his songs and poems, + 1664. 8vo.—ED. + +Footnote 48: + + Mr. Cotton’s hopeful temper amidst his cares has been well expressed + in these lines ‘To my dear and most worthy friend, Mr. Isaac Walton. + + ‘And some delight it is the while, + ‘Though nature now does weep in rain, + ‘To think that I have seen her smile, + ‘_And haply may I do again_. + + ‘If the all-ruling Power please + ‘We live to see another May, + ‘_We’ll recompense an age of these + ‘Foul days in one fine fishing day_.’ + + Poems on several Occasions.—ED. + +Footnote 49: + + Thomas Flatman. His poems were first published in 1674, 8vo. The + ballad here alluded to will be found at p. 121. He afterwards took to + him a wife, and was serenaded by his companions with his own + contumelious song against marriage. His own portrait designed by + himself, is prefixed to his Poems: and the following lines, in his + ‘Pindarique Ode, _The Review_’ are a testimony to his practice of + limning; + + ‘To extricate myself from Love, + ‘Which I could ill obey, but worse command, + ‘I took my Pensils in my hand; + ‘With that artillery for conquest strove: + ‘Like wise Pigmalion thus did I + ‘Myself design my Deity. + ‘If she did frown, one dash could make her smile, + ‘All bickerings one easy stroke could reconcile: + ‘Thus did I quiet many a froward day, + ‘While in my eyes my soul did play.’—ED. + +Footnote 50: + + Author of the Purple Island, printed 1633, 4to. and Piscatory + Eclogues, 1633, 4to.—ED. + +Footnote 51: + + Michael Drayton was an admirable poet, and amongst other numerous + works, wrote the _Shepherd’s Garland, fashioned in 9 Eglogs_, which + was printed in 1593, 4to. Also the POLY-ALBION, a chorographical + description of all the tracts, rivers, mountains, forests, and other + parts of this renowned isle of _Great Britain_, 1612, 1613, and 1622, + all in folio.—ED. + +Footnote 52: + + To my ingenious friend, Mr. Brome, on his various and excellent poems: + an humble eglog. Damon and Dorus. Written the 29th May, 1660.—ED. + +Footnote 53: + + Psalm civ. 10. + +Footnote 54: + + Eccl. ix. 7. + +Footnote 55: + + The original of this ballad is to be found in ‘_A handfull of Pleasant + Delites_,’ contayning sundrie new Sonets and delectable Histories in + divers kinds of meters, newly devised to the newest tunes. At London, + 1584. Printed by Richard Jhones, dwelling at the sign of the Rose and + Crown, near Holbourne Bridge.—ED. + +Footnote 56: + + Lib. III. Epist. 3. + +Footnote 57: + + The Visions of Petrarch, ‘_formerly translated_’ by Edmund Spenser, at + the age of 14: originally printed in a book of some rarity, ‘The + Theatre of JOHN VANDER NOODT.’ 8^o 1569.—ED. + +Footnote 58: + + And so thought Mr. Charles Cotton; as witness these lines: + + ‘_To my dear and most worthy friend, Mr._ Izaak Walton. + + ‘A day without too bright a beam, + ‘A warm, but not a scorching sun, + ‘A _southern gale_ to curl the stream, + ‘And, master, _half our work is done_. + + ‘There, whilst behind some bush we wait, + ‘The scaly people to betray, + ‘We’ll prove it just with treach’rous bait + ‘To make the preying trout our prey.’ + + POEMS _on_ SEVERAL OCCASIONS, p. 115—ED. + +Footnote 59: + + The first edition was printed, 1674, for J. Martyn. + +Footnote 60: + + Prov. iii. 17. + +Footnote 61: + + Titus Andron. Act. 2. Sc. 4. + +Footnote 62: + + Sir John Hawkins, in his life of Cotton, states that ‘a natural + excavation in the rocky Hill on which Beresford Hall stands, is shewn + as Mr. Cotton’s occasional refuge from his creditors:’ and to this + Cotton himself probably alludes in the following lines of his Ode to + Retirement. + + ‘O my beloved Caves! from Dog-star heats, + ‘And hotter perfection’s safe retreats, + ‘What safety, privacy, what true delight + ‘In the artificial night + ‘Your gloomy entrails make, + ‘Have I taken, do I take! + ‘How oft, when grief has made me fly + ‘To hide me from society, + ‘Even of my dearest friends have I + ‘In your recesses’ friendly shade + ‘All my sorrows open laid, + ‘And my most secret woes entrusted to your privacy.’ + + Occasional Poems, p. 138.—ED. + +Footnote 63: + + Ballads and Madrigals by Thos. Weekes, 1598.—ED. + +Footnote 64: + + Heb. xii. 22. + +Footnote 65: + + John xvii. 21. + +Footnote 66: + + John xiv. 23. + +Footnote 67: + + Ibid. xiv. 17. + +Footnote 68: + + Heb. i. 14. + +Footnote 69: + + Herbert’s Poems, THE CHURCH, p. 117. + +Footnote 70: + + Richard Marriott was the publisher of almost all Izaak Walton’s + works.—ED. + +Footnote 71: + + Antidote against Melancholy, A. D. 1661.—ED. + +Footnote 72: + + She died at the age of 38, as appears from a poem of Sir Aston + Cockaine:—‘On the death of his dear cousin germaine, Mrs. Olive + Cotton, who deceased at Beresford, in the 38th year of her age, and + lies buried at Bentley, by Ashbourne.’—ED. + +Footnote 73: + + P. Augustinus Chesneau, Orpheus Eucharisticus.—ED. + +Footnote 74: + + Psalm cvii. 29, 30. + +Footnote 75: + + John xiv. 27. + +Footnote 76: + + See Note p. 28.—ED. + +Footnote 77: + + Walton’s Life of Sir Henry Wotton. + +Footnote 78: + + Occasional Reflections by the Honourable Robert Boyle. 1665.—ED. + +Footnote 79: + + The incident here referred to, of a book found in the belly of a + cod-fish, taken on the Norfolk coast, and brought to Cambridge market, + on Midsummer eve, 1626, is no less true than strange. Fuller attests + the fact in his Worthies of England, folio, p. 359, and says he was in + Cambridge at the time: and in Parr’s Life and Letters of Archbishop + Usher, folio, p. 345, is a letter from his Grace to Dr. Samuel Ward, + dated 30th June, 1626, in answer to his communication of the same + fact. I have myself seen a copy of one of these treatises, in ‘_sexto + decimo_,’ printed in black letter, and entitled ‘The Preparation to + the Crosse and to Death, and of the Comfort under the Crosse and + Death.’ John Frith, who suffered martyrdom in 1533, was the + author.—ED. + +Footnote 80: + + See back p. 8.—ED. + +Footnote 81: + + See back p. 8.—ED. + +Footnote 82: + + Shakespeare’s Sonnets. + +Footnote 83: + + In ‘The King’s Majestie’s Declaration concerning lawful sports,’ + Puritans and Precisians are designated ‘as Adversaries of our + Church.’—ED. + +Footnote 84: + + First Book of Ballads to five voices. By Thomas Morley, 1600.—ED. + +Footnote 85: + + 1 Sam. xviii. 1. + +Footnote 86: + + xviii. 4. + +Footnote 87: + + 1 Sam. xx. 18. + +Footnote 88: + + Heb. xii. 14. + +Footnote 89: + + Rev. xxii. 1. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + Books on Angling. + + + _Published by_ W. PICKERING. + + + I + + Walton and Cotton’s Complete Angler. Edited with Original Memoirs, by + _Sir Harris Nicolas_, Illustrated by Engravings from Designs by + _Stothard_ and _Inskipp_. 2 vols. imperial 8vo. 6_l._ 6_s._ or + proofs on India paper, 10_l._ 10_s._ The Illustrations separate, + 4to. proofs before the letters, 10_l._ 10_s._ + + ⁂ Additional Plates (XXXII) to Illustrate Walton and Cotton’s Complete + Angler, consisting of Portraits, Monuments, &c. mostly proofs, + imperial 8vo. 3_l._ 3_s._ + + + II + + The true Enjoyment of Angling. By _Henry Phillips, Esq._ Illustrated + with a Portrait of the Author, and Seven Songs, descriptive of the + Art, with Pianoforte Accompaniments. 8vo. 10_s._ 6_d._ + + + III + + Berners’s (Juliana) Treatyse of Fysshynge wyth an Angle. Reprint with + fac-simile wood-cuts, crown 8vo. 5_s._ + + + IV + + Piscatorial Reminiscences and Gleanings, by an _Old Angler_ and + _Bibliopolist_; with the most complete Catalogue of Books on Angling + ever published, fscap. 8vo. _with cuts_, 7_s._ 6_d._ + + + V + + The Angler’s Desideratum, containing the best and fullest Directions + for dressing the Artificial Fly; with some new and valuable + Inventions, “by _The Author_,” from a practice of nearly half a + Century, 12mo. 1_s._ 6_d._ + +[Illustration] + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES + + + ● Non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + ● Added table of Contents. + ● Used numbers for footnotes, placing them all at the end of the last + chapter. + ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. + ● Enclosed blackletter font in =equals=. + ● HTML alt text was added for images that didn’t have captions. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77591 *** diff --git a/77591-h/77591-h.htm b/77591-h/77591-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c2bd36 --- /dev/null +++ b/77591-h/77591-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10570 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> + <head> + <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title>The River Dove | Project Gutenberg</title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + body { margin-left: 8%; 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page-break-before: always; + page-break-after: always; } + div.titlepage p {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 3em; } + .ph2 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; + page-break-before: always; } + .double {border-style: double;border-width: 16px; padding: 1em; clear: both; } + .border {border-style: solid;border-width: medium; padding: 1em; clear: both; } + .blackletter {font-family: 'Old English Text MT', serif; font-weight:bold; + font-style: normal; } + .x-ebookmaker p.dropcap:first-letter { float: left; } + </style> + </head> + <body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77591 ***</div> + +<div class='tnotes covernote'> + +<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p> + +<p class='c000'>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='titlepage double'> + +<div> + <h1 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>THE</span><br> RIVER DOVE<br> <span class='xlarge'>WITH SOME QUIET THOUGHTS ON THE HAPPY PRACTICE OF ANGLING</span></h1> +</div> +<div class='c002 figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/titlepage.jpg' alt='Black-and-white woodcut showing a dolphin wrapped around a vertical anchor shaft, with the Latin words ‘Aldi,’ ‘Discip.,’ and ‘Anglvs’ arranged around the image.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><span class='large'>LONDON</span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='large'>WILLIAM PICKERING</span></div> + <div class='c003'>1847</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='border'> + +<div class='lg-container-b c004'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Ἐρασμίν ΠἝΛΕΙΑ,</div> + <div class='line'>Πόθεν πόθεν μέτασσαι;</div> + <div class='line'>Πόθεν μύρων τοσούτων</div> + <div class='line'>Πνέεις τε καὶ ψεκάζεις;</div> + <div class='line in12'>Anacreon, Ode IX.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='c005 figcenter id002'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_iii'>iii</span> +<img src='images/image-iii.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c006'>TO THE READER.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Sir</i>,</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'><i>The book I here present to you was put into +the Printer’s hands for the entertainment +of a few Gentlemen Fishers; and I hope you take +a pleasure in the harmless recreation of Angling, +otherwise I may not hope you will overlook its +defects. I heartily wish it were a more worthy +tribute to the memory of those best masters of +our art</i>, Mr. Izaak Walton, and Mr. Charles +Cotton:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘ALAS, THAT THEY ARE DEAD!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>But I beseech you to be civil, and moderate in your +censures; for I undertook those pleasant walks, +to which I here invite you, by the banks of the</i> +<span class='sc'>Dove</span> (<i>now ten years are past</i>) <i>to unbend my +mind from some serious cares. And that I may +not detain you from the perusal, I have only this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_iv'>iv</span>further to desire,—that we may all have a south +wind when we go a-fishing,—and be blest with a +virtuous cheerful spirit, a peaceful conscience, and +at last eternal rejoicings in the kingdom of angels.</i></p> + +<div class='lg-container-r'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Your loving friend</i></div> + <div class='line in4'><i>and humble servant,</i></div> + <div class='line in16'><i>J. L. A.</i></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>From my House at ——</i></div> + <div class='line'><i>Festival of St.</i> Peter, 1687.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image-iv.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 id='CONTENTS' class='c010'>CONTENTS</h2> +</div> + <dl class='dl_1 c002'> + <dt><a href='#I'>CHAPTER I.</a></dt> + <dd>A Meeting at Derby, between an Angler and a Painter. + </dd> + <dt><a href='#II'>CHAPTER II.</a></dt> + <dd>A Conference at Supper between the Angler, the Painter, and the Host. + </dd> + <dt><a href='#III'>CHAPTER III.</a></dt> + <dd>The Host conducts the Angler and Painter to Beresford Hall and Mr. Cotton’s Fishing House + on the River Dove. + </dd> + <dt><a href='#IV'>CHAPTER IV.</a></dt> + <dd>The Angler and the Painter take a pleasant walk to the source of the Dove. + </dd> + <dt><a href='#V'>CHAPTER V.</a></dt> + <dd>The return of the Angler and Painter to Ashbourne, through Dove Dale. + </dd> + </dl> + +<div class='c005 figcenter id002'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span> +<img src='images/image001a.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><span class='xxlarge'>THE RIVER DOVE;</span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='xlarge'>WITH SOME QUIET THOUGHTS ON THE HAPPY PRACTICE OF ANGLING.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 id='I' class='c010'>CHAPTER I.<br> <i>A Meeting at</i> Derby, <i>between an</i> Angler <i>and a</i> Painter.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><i>Painter.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='c009'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage001b.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Welcome, Mr. Gentleman Angler: +welcome to Derby.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Good morrow, brother, +I am glad to see you look so cheering +and courteous; for I must confess I am +later than our fix’t appointment.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Sir, now I possess you, I’m too +glad-hearted to chide your lagging: yet, to say +the truth, I expected you this hour agone; for +methought your sprightful anglers were apt to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>prevent the sun’s rising on a delicate May +morning.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Give me your pardon this turn, and +doubt not to find me stirring with the lark +every day that you and I purpose to walk in +each other’s company by the banks of the +Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> My pardon you shall have the more +willingly, if you fail not a traveller’s good stomach +for breakfast.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You may trust me. I am as keenly +set as a moss trooper.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am glad to hear it, for I have +told the civil hostess to treat us well.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You are worthy to be a brother of +the angle; and this I am resolved you shall be +when we are come to the river that I love so +well:—but let us see what we may have for +our breakfast, and fall to it merrily.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Here it is, and all of the best; +so let us say grace, and begin.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> With all my heart;—and that will +give it a relish.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How now, brave Sir! What say +you?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> By pick and pie ’tis all excellent. +When I am Lord Great Chamberlain you +shall be my caterer. Come, Sir, for a glass of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>ale; my service to you. Now I envy not the +daintiest court gallants in the land, that are +asleep on their beds of down.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am amazed how some sluggards +will lie a-bed almost till dinner time.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> They know none of the ingenuous +delights of fishermen. So let us bless God, +that we have not only a mind to rise with the +sun, but the power to it, for that is still better. +And, as plain-hearted Mr. Walton says, ‘that +our present happiness may appear to be greater, +and we the more thankful for it, I will beg +you to consider with me, how many do, even +at this very time, lie under the torment of the +stone, the gout, and the tooth ache, and this +we are free from; and every misery that I miss +is a new mercy.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And how many are now languishing +in the sad captivity of dungeons, ‘feeding +on bread of affliction, and water of affliction.’——But, +come; tell me how it has fared with +you, since we parted from each other’s company, +now two days agone, when you resolved +to entertain yourself with some hours fishing in +the lower parts of the River Dove, near to the +town of Uttoxeter.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That I will relate to you by and by, +as we journey towards Ashbourne; and because +<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>the morning wears apace, let us take +another cup of barley wine and be gone; for +we have some hours, and many more miles, on +this side Alstonfields, where you and I must +lodge to-night.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is well thought; so Mistress +Hostess here is payment for your choice breakfast, +and thanks for your civility, and so we +wish you good morrow.——And now, brother, +seeing we are past Derby Bridge, and are come +out of the town, look forth on the freshness of +the landscape, and the dewdrops that hang on +every blade and bush, sparkling in the beams of +the sun.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> What happy thoughts possess a +man’s mind when he breathes the air of the +morning, and contemplates the bounties of nature!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye; then the heart is full of unspeakable +thoughts that soar upward from earth +to heaven, and so higher still on the spiritual +wings of reverential love unto <span class='sc'>Him</span>, who is +above this vault so beautiful, so vast, and is the +Creator and Sustainer of all.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And listen to the very song-birds +chirping their untaught morning harmony to +God, who ‘<i>causeth the day-spring from on high +to know his place</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span><i>Painter.</i> This simple feathered choir teaches +mankind to be cheerful, and to sing joyful +psalms, and to make melody in their heart to +the Lord: nay, what can be pleasanter than to +do this, ‘<i>when the very morning stars sing together</i>.’ +And what says even the learned heathen, +Epictetus?<a id='r1'></a><a href='#f1' class='c011'><sup>[1]</sup></a>—‘If we have any wisdom, +what is more becoming in public and in private, +than to sing hymns to the Deity? If I +were a nightingale, I should do as the nightingales +do—if a swan, as the swans; but because +I am a reasonable creature, I must the rather +praise God. So I will never leave that practice +myself, and I do exhort all others to it.’—And +now give me leave to put you in mind to tell +me something of your lonely walks round +about Uttoxeter, that we may beguile the way +with cheerful conversation between this and +Ashbourne.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That I shall willingly do: and first, +you are to know, I passed by the great forest of +Needwood, that has some of the pleasantest +chases and parks in all England, and is so full +of marvellous big oaks and fat bucks; then, +after Needwood I came to Tutbury.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed!</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>‘The battle was fought near Titbury town,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘When the bagpipes baited the bull?’<a id='r2'></a><a href='#f2' class='c011'><sup>[2]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come, Sir, if you have that choice +ballad by memory, pr’ythee let us hear it.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Kind gentlemen, will ye be patient awhile?</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Aye, and then you shall hear anon,</div> + <div class='line'>‘A very good ballad of bold Robin Hood,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And of his man, brave little John.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Some parts I could repeat; but +rather let me hear of your walk from Tutbury: +and pr’ythee when thou wast thereabouts, didst +‘<span class='blackletter'>demaunde one bacon flyke, hanging in the +Halle of the Lord of Whichenovre?</span>’<a id='r3'></a><a href='#f3' class='c011'><sup>[3]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay—do you take me for a Benedick? +Let the flyke be claimed by the wondrous +wight that ‘<span class='blackletter'>would not chaunge his +wife for none other, farer ne fowler, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>rycher ne pourer of alle the wymen of the +worlde</span>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And how is his highness, the ‘king +of the minstrels?’<a id='r4'></a><a href='#f4' class='c011'><sup>[4]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Gone to his rest, with brave John +of Gaunt, and the Prior of Tutbury. Alas! +since the roundheads once kept watch and +ward in Tutbury Castle, the merry minstrelsy +is hushed in the hall. But now you may consider +me to be arrived in the town of Uttoxeter, +full of composed thoughts, and there I found a +tidy house of refreshment, and put myself to +bed betimes, that I might be away before the +day dawn; and so I was, and let me tell you +my first waking thoughts, after remembering +my prayers, were of the River Dove, and my +happy practice of angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That indeed was natural, and I +make bold to think you caught some brace of +trouts before breakfast?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Not so, brother; for you are to note +<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>every angler must needs be blest with a hopeful +and patient disposition, since he may sometimes +look to come home as he went forth, that is to +say, with an empty pannier—</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> As the reward of his patience! +Well, patience is an herb, they say, makes a +‘good boiled sallad:’ why, Sir, an angler need +to be ‘Patience on a monument,’ that he may sit +silently by the river, and look down at nothing +but his float.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well! I give you leave to censure, +since you know none of those sweet pleasures +that attend on angling: and I remit you to +Mr. Izaak Walton, ‘that dear lover and frequent +practicer of my art,’ for many clear reasons +and examples to prove that it may be +esteemed one of the most honest and commendable +recreations a gentleman can practise.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> A hopeful entertainment, truly! +Nevertheless, I cannot but smile at your dumpish +anglers that wait so meekly for their fortunes, +as to seem fixed with all the gravity of +sculptured images on the margin of their +streams.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> So, so! good brother, you may +smile and wonder too; nay, I will laugh with +you, and after that will not be ashamed to confess +how I am possessed with a constant love of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>my gentle craft. But for the present let me +bring your thoughts towards the Dove, near to +Uttoxeter.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye, let us hear more of that; +then you made some contemplative trial of the +trouts?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But it was all in vain; for the wind +was contrary, and they took no liking to my +flies, and so I missed my sport: but I hope for +better acceptance the next time I go a-courting +that way.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Then I beseech you, gentle Mr. +Angler, how did you pass the hours, since the +trouts, out of their coyness, declined from your +acquaintance? If I might conjecture, you +straightway fell into a consideration of Master +Izaak Walton’s praise of fishes and fishing.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And if I did? Give me leave to tell +you, he hath set forth the delights of this +recreation with such refined and ingenuous arguments, +as to persuade many a man to become +a fisher, who was before very averse to it. +Nay, I shall hope to make you put on new +thoughts of angling before we part company; +for, of all men, limners have most cause to love +my art, seeing they may recline by the side of +a lake or river, and leave their angle rods ‘to +fish for themselves,’ and this Mr. Walton declares, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>and truly, to be ‘like putting money to +use; for then these angle rods work for the +owners when they do nothing but sleep, or +eat, or rejoice’—</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Or paint pictures!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Even so: and I may declare to you +I have seen such pleasant prospects of woodlands, +and rivers, and streams, that have flowed +along the valleys and through many a mead in +England, when I have been a-fishing, as the +best limner might desire to look at; and yet +not be able to imitate with all his daintiness of +hand. And some of these I made a discovery +of, within a little mile or two round Uttoxeter, +by the banks of the Dove; for seeing I was +not like to fish to profit, I considered within +myself what I should do; and after a while I +resolved to examine into those parts of the river, +and so be admitted into a more familiar acquaintance +with its landskips.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well thought; and I declare to +you I am ready to esteem it my loss that I was +not in your company.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> There are many parts thereabouts +would have touched you mightily: for nature, +that is so excellent an artificer, hath contrived +her works on either side the river with a most +unimitable disposition and skilfulness. And +<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>you are to note, the river I speak of is the +Dove;</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in22'>‘Whose dainty grasse,</div> + <div class='line'>‘That grows upon her banks, all other doth surpasse,’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>as old Michael Drayton<a id='r5'></a><a href='#f5' class='c011'><sup>[5]</sup></a> declares: and thereabouts +I found the Churnet, that gives her the +contribution of its streams, and is contented to +receive nothing from her in exchange but her +speckled trouts,—and this for the sweet satisfaction +of an attendance upon her, till her espousals +with the Trent below Eggington. Then I +may not omit to mention that pleasant river the +Blythe, whose fountains spring up near to +the ‘ancient castel’ of Caverswall, gathering +strength as she flows along by the Earl of +Derby’s great park and Castle of Chartley, and +then</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Bears easey down tow’rds her deere soveraign Trent.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Blythe! the very name is full of +promise; and I doubt not her banks are lined +with prospects of mountains and vales.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> All variegated with moorlands and +woodlands;—such alluring scenes for an angler +or a painter, and so decked by nature’s hand as +to be little spots of enchantment, which caused +<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>me a double sorrow that you were not my fellow +traveller: and I resolved I would some time +or other see those landskips again, if it should +please God to let me live long enough, and give +me the diversion of some leisurable days.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Your commendations of the Dove +inflame my desires to make acquaintance with +her streams; and I rejoice that I am now like +to do this in your company; and I beseech you +tell me something more of the Churnet, that +joins itself thereabouts to the Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That would I willingly, if time might +serve; but we are come within sight of Brailsford.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Then make me this promise, that +we may beguile some future hours together by +those lower passages of the Dove, and see +where she discharges herself into the Trent.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Let that be a match between us; +and I promise you nothing can be pleasanter for +an artist than the lights and shadows of their +umbrageous banks, and the pastures, and lowing +herds by the river, and the native cascades and +rocks, and the peaceful villages with antient +churches, that lend their aid to the composure +of those retired prospects.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How did you call this pleasant looking +place we are come to?</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span><i>Angler.</i> Now you are arrived at Brailsford; +and there is the Saracen’s Head, that is kept +by honest John Bembridge; this way, so please +you; and look, here is a well of water, called +St. Bernard’s Well, so like to chrystal, that +almost a blind beggar may see the pebble stones +at the bottom.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is surprisingly clear.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then, I beseech you, take your +pencil, and give me a design, in remembrance +of this pleasant walk we have undertaken together.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I cannot deny any request of yours, +for I have left my home for no other end than +the satisfaction of your company and civil discourse, +and to give you in return all the contentment +that my poor art is capable of.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Why that’s heartily and kindly spoken; +and I will be so bold to promise you some entertainment +on our journey; for, look you, +here is the newest impression of Mr. Walton’s +<span class='sc'>Complete Angler</span>, and here is <i>Part the +Second</i>, that is lately printed for a companion +to it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! another volume from the +fertile pen of Mr. Izaak Walton! what more +that is new can he have to say on Angling?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Stay a while; for this is a Treatise +<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>of Fly Fishing, ‘<i>being Instructions how to angle +for a Trout or Grayling in a clear Stream</i>,’ +writ by Mr. Charles Cotton, of Beresford Hall, +his adopted son; so they are printed together +in testimony of their mutual affection. It is a +cheerful dialogue between <i>Piscator Junior</i>, that +is, Mr. Charles Cotton himself, and <i>Viator</i>, +who was a gentleman-traveller he overtook on +horseback, between Derby and Ashbourne, half +a mile from this place. And if these two treatises +together do not kindle in your mind a love +for the art, I am certain you will at least gather +from the perusal a charitable disposition towards +anglers.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It would be uncivil to deny Mr. +Cotton’s merits before I have read his treatise; +and for Mr. Walton, I may confess he has a +singular vein of wit and affability, and some +parts of his other works, that I have dipped +into, are writ with so happy a pen, and are so +full of judicious discourse, as testify to his +modest disposition, and exact diligence and discernment.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I’m glad you think so.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> But surely it cannot be denied, that +he hath sometimes spun a long line for the +readers of his discourse on fishing?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Yet are his lines spun with a curious +<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>magical contexture of learning and wit, to +allure his readers no less than to deceive all +kinds of fishes; for his book extremely abounds +with innocent mirth, and what is better than +all, you may not deny that in every part he +discourses sweetly on the unseen world, and +things after death.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> There is not a doubt he hath a +thankful and reverential heart.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye, and is an orthodox christian, +that loves our dear mother <span class='sc'>The Church</span>, her +primitive orders of apostolic ministry and government, +her holy sacraments and her service +book, which are even now a mark for the +butt-shafts of unquiet carking separatists, who +dispute against the laws both ecclesiastical and +civil.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Oh! I am grieved to think how +those censurers be so full of their own whimsies, +and unconformable to discipline, that if you +spoke to them with angels’ tongues they would +not be persuaded to hold to the Catholic Church +in England, which learned Lord Bacon declares +to be as sound and orthodox in the doctrine +thereof as any church in the world.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> True,—and Mr. Walton is of the +same opinion: and some of his writings are +choice pieces of christian philosophy; and a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>life of innocency, and his modest peaceableness +of mind have endeared him to many of our +most grave and pious prelates now living.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nevertheless for his <span class='sc'>Complete +Angler</span> it is pleasant to see with what seriousness +he dilates on the antiquity and other qualities +of his art. He is like Master Shakespeare’s +dauphin in a panegyric on his palfrey. +‘When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: +he trots the air; the earth sings when he +touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more +musical than the pipe of Hermes—’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> ‘No more, cousin,’ I beseech you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> ‘Nay, the man hath no wit, that +cannot, from the rising of the lark to the +lodging of the lamb, vary deserved praise on +my palfrey: it is a theme as fluent as the sea; +turn the sands into eloquent tongues, and my +horse is argument for them all: ’tis a subject +for a sovereign to reason on, and for a sovereign’s +sovereign to ride on, and for the world +to lay apart their particular functions and +wonder at him.’<a id='r6'></a><a href='#f6' class='c011'><sup>[6]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ha—ha—ha! would my dear master +were by to defend his poor jennet.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, well; I would not deny +<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>him the privilege of riding astride on his hobby +horse, seeing how the greatest scholar of the last +age composed a panegyric on Folly, and made +a dedication of it to Sir Thomas More, that +wise Chancellor of England.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Since I perceive how you are resolved +to run at tilt against poor, civil, honest +anglers, I will forbear, and ‘<i>study to be quiet</i>,’ +after the example of my master, who, if he has +not the meekness of Moses, (and that I will not +declare,) yet is the meekest man I know of in +this disputing age.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, brother, I did but jest: and +doubtless Mr. Walton is a man of primitive +piety, for his lives of Dr. Donne, Sir Henry +Wotton, venerable Mr. Richard Hooker, and +Mr. George Herbert, could only be composed +by one of like religious affections with those +memorable men.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And call to mind that picture he has +drawn of Dr. Donne’s last sickness that ended +in his death.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I remember the words, how he declares +that good man was at length ‘so happy +as to have nothing to do but to die;’ and how +‘he lay fifteen days earnestly expecting his +hourly change, and in the last hour of his last +day, as his body melted away and vapoured +<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>into spirit, his soul having, I verily believe, +some revelation of the beatifical vision, he said, +“<i>I were miserable if I might not die</i>;” and +how afterward, being speechless, and seeing +heaven by that illumination by which he saw +it, he did, as St. Stephen, look steadfastly into +it, till he saw the Son of Man standing at the +right hand of God his Father, and being satisfied +with this blessed sight, his soul ascended, +and his last breath departed from him.’ For +he was so rooted and grounded in celestial love, +he shook the king of terrors, and disarmed him +of his sting, and the dark grave was shorn of +his victory.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> True; for he had long had his blameless +conversation in heaven: he was a spiritual +soldier that had quenched all the fiery darts of +the mysterious wicked one by the shield of +faith, and now, like holy Paul, he yearned to +be released from things below, and to take part +in the invisible harmonious choirs in heavenly +places. And what a natural picture of primitive +manners Mr. Walton hath drawn in his +life of the ever-memorable Mr. Hooker, who, +when he was in his eighteenth year, and as +soon as he was perfectly recovered from a +dangerous sickness at Corpus Christi College +in Oxford, took a journey to Exeter, to satisfy +<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>and see his good mother, who in all that time +of his sickness had ‘in her hourly prayers as +earnestly begged his life of God, as Monica, +the mother of St. Augustine, did, that he +might become a true Christian.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I have never read, or have forgot +that journey of his.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well then, I may tell you, he walked +from Oxford unto Exeter, ‘with a companion +of his own college, and both on foot; which +was then either more in fashion, or want of +money, or their humility, made it so: but on +foot they went, and took Salisbury in their +way, purposely to see the good bishop’ (that +was Bishop Jewel, his constant and dear patron +and the bestower of an annual pension for his +comfortable subsistence;) ‘and the good bishop +made Mr. Hooker and his companion dine +with him at his own table: and at his parting +the bishop gave him good counsel and his +benediction, but forgot to give him money; +which, when the bishop had considered, he +sent a servant in all haste to call Richard back +to him: and at Richard’s return, the bishop +delivered into his hand a walking-staff, with +which he professed he had travelled through +many parts of Germany,’ and he called it +‘<i>his horse which had carried him many a mile +<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>with much ease</i>.’ And he said, ‘Richard, <i>I +do not give but lend you my horse: be sure you +be honest, and bring my horse back to me at +your return this way to Oxford. And I do +now give ten groats to bear your charges to +Exeter: and here is ten groats more, which I +charge you to deliver to your mother, and tell +her I send her a bishop’s benediction with it, +and beg the continuance of her prayers for me. +And if you bring my horse back to me, I will +give you ten groats more to carry you on foot +to the college; and so God bless you, good</i> Richard.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I may promise you I shall remember +that pilgrimage on foot of ‘good Richard,’ +to his poor mother’s house at Exeter, and the +bishop’s walking-staff and his blessing, and his +so nigh-forgotten groats.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And so in Mr. Walton’s <span class='sc'>Complete +Angler</span> you will find many passages that exhibit +his own serenity of mind, and such touches +of rural life as will requite you for the pains of +reading: but now let me see the picture you +have drawn of Brailsford Well.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Here it is.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I declare ’tis simply and clearly designed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I perceive you are resolved to be +<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>gentle with my first essaye; but I am glad it +contents you, and now let us be going.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> With all my heart.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How now! here is a cheerful rivulet, +that I see running from the meadows +into the road.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> This is Brailsford Brook, and look +you, here is a bridge.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And yonder is a handsome church +and tower. I must, with your leave, step into +these meadows and draw the landskip.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye, I beseech you; for here is the +spot of ground where the pleasant conference +began between Mr. Charles Cotton and his +new friend, that he accosted on the road as +they were both going to Ashbourne.</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘<i>You are happily overtaken, Sir</i>,’ said he; +‘<i>may a man be so bold as to inquire how far you +travel this way?</i>’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> They were strangers, then?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nevertheless they so affected one +another, after that salutation and other pleasant +discourse, as not to part company till they had +enjoyed some days’ innocent recreation a-fishing +at Beresford Hall. Nay more, Viator declared, +on the second day, that he was ‘<i>so far in love +with</i> Piscator <i>and his country, and pretty moorland +seat, as to resolve to stay with him long +<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>enough, by intervals, to hear all he had to say +of his art</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And pr’ythee, how did Mr. Cotton +reply to this familiar declaration?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> How did he reply! with all the +politeness of an angler;—‘<i>Sir, you cannot oblige +me more than by such a promise.</i>’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well said! Then here they made +their first acquaintance?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And here is one of those little sparkling +brooks that you shall meet every where in +this country; nay, Mr. Cotton declares, ‘<i>they +are full of trouts, and some of them the best (it +is said) by many degrees in England</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Trouts! and in so mean a stream +as this?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But I do not say they shall be all big +trouts; for, as Mr. Walton hath it, ‘some +rivers, by reason of the ground over which +they run, breed larger trouts, like as some +pastures breed larger sheep;’ and some streams +there are, not many times broader than Brailsford +Brook, that breed trouts three and four +pounds in weight: but you may not think to +find the biggest trouts at all times the best meat. +And he that studies the nature and seasons of +fishes may observe how sometimes the trouts +will change their haunts, and travel up a stream +<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>for many miles, in their natural desire after the +fresh waters; nay, to the very fountain-head of +some brook, and there wade among the clear +sandy shallows; indeed, I have seen trouts +taken out of the dark springs that rise in the +caverns of the Great Peak underneath Castleton.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> After what you say, I doubt not +but Brailsford Brook may breed good trouts; +and I care not whence they come, so we have +a brace for supper.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That I promise you, and skilfully +drest too:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘For mark well, good brother, what now I doe say,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Sauce made of anchoves is an excellent way,</div> + <div class='line'>‘With oysters, and lemon, clove, nutmeg and mace,</div> + <div class='line'>‘When the brave spotted trout hath been boyled apace,</div> + <div class='line'>‘With many sweet herbs.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>And this was the fashion of an experienced +angler, that hath discovered ‘<i>many rare secrets, +very necessary to be known by all that delight +in the recreation both of catching the fish, and +dressing thereof</i>.’<a id='r7'></a><a href='#f7' class='c011'><sup>[7]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye, aye; your meditative fishers +<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>have always some singular discoveries to enhance +the practice of their art. I remember one +honest gentleman,<a id='r8'></a><a href='#f8' class='c011'><sup>[8]</sup></a> of a most fertile wit, called +angling the ‘<i>Pleasure of Princes, or Goodmen’s +Recreation</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> In that he did no more than was +both reasonable and true.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And the same notable gentleman +unravelled this mystery, ‘that the angler’s apparell +should by no means be garish, light +coloured, or shining, for whatsoever hath a +glittering hue reflecteth upon the water, and +immediately it affrighteth the fish.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And this, before you and I have +done walking, you may prove to your cost, with +your gaysome doublet and jerkin.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> So, Master Piscator, ‘let your apparell +be plaine and comely, of darke colour, +as russett, tawney, or such like, close to your +body, without any new fashioned slashes or +hanging sleeves waving loose like sayles about +you.’<a id='r9'></a><a href='#f9' class='c011'><sup>[9]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, well; in every art ’tis good +<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>to have a master; and that this is one of our +‘<i>Secrets</i>,’ these verses of a happy angler may +declare:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘And let your garments russet be or gray,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Of colour darke and hardest to descry,</div> + <div class='line'>‘That with the raine or weather will away,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And least offend the fearful fishes’ eye.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘For neither scarlet, nor rich cloth of ray,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Nor colours dipt of fresh Assyrean dye,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Nor tender silkes of purple, paule of gold,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Will serve so well to keepe off wet or cold.’<a id='r10'></a><a href='#f10' class='c011'><sup>[10]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>And pr’ythee look to your own tooles; for you +will do well, if you have one of honest Gervase +Markham’s <i>Twelve Virtues of an Angler</i>—to +wit: ‘A knowledge in proportions of all sorts, +to give a geographical description of the angles +and channels of rivers, how they fall from +their heads, and what compasses they fetch in +their several windings.’<a id='r11'></a><a href='#f11' class='c011'><sup>[11]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You shall see—you shall see—but +I am ready to attend you, for I have drawn +this careless picture; and so let us towards +Ashbourne.——Why, how is this? We are +<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>scarce two miles from Brailsford, and here we +have another rivulet rustling through the grass.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> This brook before us, at the foot of +yon sandy hill, has been noticed by Mr. Cotton +to have ‘<i>scarce any name amongst us, and to be +too woody for the recreation of fishing</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That I may easily believe, for it +seems but a narrow thread of water, winding +along the meadows, and almost hid beneath +those ash trees.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Yet, you may take a store of trouts +in this nameless rivulet by Longford Mill, which +is not far from where we stand; and I have +the undoubted authority of Mr. John Davors +to say, ‘the trout makes the angler most gentlemanlie +and readiest sport of all other fishes.’<a id='r12'></a><a href='#f12' class='c011'><sup>[12]</sup></a> +But look before you, for we are now come +to the top of Spittle Hill, over against Ashbourne.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! and there the town lies +in a bottom; and I declare—a goodly church! +and beyond it, on the other side, I see some +stately mountains, and one that lifts his top as +high as the clouds.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And therefore called Thorpe Cloud; +and you are to note the Dove winds round +<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>the base, through her rugged channel of rocks. +Would I were there! But I am so bold as to +request a sketch of this chequered prospect before +us from your lively pencil.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It shall be done; for it is, indeed, +a fine and spacious landskip; and I shall be +happy if my poor drawings can give you satisfaction.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> They do, indeed; so I pray you +begin, and forget not yonder hills that are behind +the town, for we may hope ‘to stretch +our legs up’ some of them by and by. But +how will you draw the natural perspective of +the road, which now drops with so great a +steepness from before us?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Thus it is—here <i>Viator</i> and <i>Piscator</i> +discourse together. You may see them in +outline, both on horseback, and there is the fall +in the ground.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is ingeniously contrived!—But I +must tell you Mr. Cotton travelled with his +serving man—therefore, so please you, let us +have a third rider that should follow behind the +other two, for they were all mounted on horseback.—So! +that is admirable; and I can now +see before me the polite angler that allured +his companion to visit his ‘<i>pretty moorland +seat</i>’ in Staffordshire. Oh, how the hours +<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>do lag ere we come to that ‘<i>marvellous pretty +place</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Was that the Beresford Hall you +spoke of?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The same: but if you desire to know +how they conversed together as they arrived +at Spittle Hill, I will read it to you in Mr. +Cotton’s own words, whiles you are to finish +the landskip.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am ready to hear it, and what is +more, to take a pleasure in listening.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, you may note <i>Piscator</i> was so +pleased with his companion, that he had earnestly +and honestly invited him to his house, +and promised he would be extremely welcome; +then <i>Viator</i> felt a surprise, ‘<i>with so friendly +an invitation upon so short acquaintance</i>,’ and +said ‘<i>he could not in modesty accept his offer, +and must therefore beg his pardon</i>;’ but Mr. +Cotton would not be denied; and at length, as +they drew near to Spittle Hill, where you and +I at this moment stand, he repeated his invitation, +and said, ‘<i>Now, Sir, if I am not mistaken, +I have half overcome you; and that I may +wholly conquer that modesty of your’s, I will +take upon me to be so familiar as to say, you +must accept my invitation, which that you may +be the more easily persuaded to do, I will tell +<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>you, that my house stands upon the margin of +one of the finest rivers for trout and grayling +in England</i>,’ (which you are to observe was +the Dove,) ‘<i>and that I have lately built a little +fishing-house upon it, dedicated to anglers, over +the door of which you will see the two first +letters of my father Walton’s name and mine +twisted in cypher; that you shall lie in the +same bed he has sometimes been contented with, +and have such country entertainment as my +friends sometimes accept, and be welcome, too, as +the best of them all.</i>’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Mr. Cotton has a cheerful natural +way with him; and what a delight he takes in +his river Dove above all others, and his little +fishing-house upon the margin.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> As witness these verses he addressed +to his adopted father, Mr. Izaak Walton:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Such streams, Rome’s yellow Tiber cannot show,</div> + <div class='line'>‘The Iberian Tagus, or Ligurian Po;</div> + <div class='line'>‘The Maese, the Danube, and the Rhine</div> + <div class='line'>‘Are puddle water all, compared with thine:</div> + <div class='line'>‘And Loire’s pure streams yet too polluted are</div> + <div class='line'>‘With thine much purer to compare:</div> + <div class='line'>‘The rapid Garonne, and the winding Seine,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Are both too mean,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Beloved Dove, with thee</div> + <div class='line'>‘To vie priority;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>‘Nay, Thame and Isis when conjoin’d, submit,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And lay their trophies at thy silver feet.’<a id='r13'></a><a href='#f13' class='c011'><sup>[13]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>And we shall find it as pleasant as he has +represented it. And all this benevolence between +<i>Piscator</i> and <i>Viator</i> was, because they +both affected the person of Mr. Izaak Walton +and his art of angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How love will temper the spirits +of men! Surely it is a spark of the divine mind,—a +secret charm implanted in our nature to +mould us to the image of the Highest.—But +how came it to pass that <i>Viator</i> participated in +Mr. Cotton’s happy disinterested friendship for +Mr. Walton?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is most certain he did; for when +they discoursed on fishing, and accidental mention +was made of Mr. Walton’s Complete +Angler, <i>Piscator</i> asked, ‘<i>what is your opinion +of that book?</i>’ to which Mr. Cotton replied, +‘<i>my opinion of Mr. Walton’s book is the same +with every man’s that understands any thing +of the art of angling, that it is an excellent +good one</i>;’ and he then added, ‘<i>but I must tell +<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>you further, that I have the happiness to know +his person, and to be intimately acquainted with +him, and in him to know the worthiest man, +and to enjoy the best and the truest friend any +man ever had; nay, I shall yet acquaint you +that he gives me leave to call him father, and +I hope is not yet ashamed to own me for his +Adopted Son</i>.’ Whereupon <i>Viator</i> replied, +‘<i>In earnest, Sir! I am ravished to meet with a +friend of Mr. Izaak Walton’s, and one that +does him so much right in a good and true character, +for I must boast to you that I have the +good fortune to know him too, and came acquainted +with him in the same manner I do +with you; that he was my master who first +taught me to love angling, and thus to become +an angler; and to be plain with you, I am the +very man decyphered in his book under the name +of</i> Venator.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Excellent! that was a pleasant surprise +to him!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> ‘<i>For</i>,’ (he continues) ‘<i>I was wholly +addicted to the chase, until he taught me as +good—a more quiet, innocent, and less dangerous +diversion.</i>’ And this also Mr. Roger Jackson +declares, who undertook the printing of the +<span class='sc'>Secrets of Angling</span>, ‘out of a virtuous desire +to give his countrie satisfaction;’ for he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>declared, in his dedication of that book to his +much respected friend Mr. John Harborne, of +Tackley, in the county of Oxford, Esquire, +that, ‘the art of angling is much more worthy +practice and approbation than hunting and +hawking; for it is a sport every way as pleasant, +less chargeable, more profitable, and +nothing so much subject to choller and impatience +as those are.’ And now listen to the +answer of <i>Piscator</i>, for he said, ‘<i>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.</i>’ Thus you may note how the +declaration of <i>Viator</i>, that he was acquainted +with Mr. Walton, touched a chord which vibrated +to the other’s affections, and harmonized +their spirits to a most innocent friendship.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> What an engaging encounter of +the two strangers, who thus discovered to each +other their affection for pious and peaceable +Mr. Walton! With what a grace doth holiness +encircle him that wears it! surely ’tis a +crown without thorns or cares, decked with +spiritual jewels. I declare to you, I am moved +<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>to a better acquaintance with all three: notwithstanding +I have always looked upon angling +to be a solitary recreation, not worthy so much +as our vacant hours.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I hope before we part company you +will be undeceived, and learn how we anglers +can recreate our spirits, when the sun rises over +the hills; and this I promise in reward for +your sudden resolve to come on your travels +with me, only to the intent that by your art +and sociable conversation you might give me +pleasure.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I now thank you heartily, because +you moved me to this journey; nay more, if +I might believe my present thoughts, I shall be +surprised into a desire to try and angle in the +river Dove, that you take so great a delight in.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That were strange indeed,—to see +your leisure divided between the pencil and the +angle rod!—yet if I could once inveigle you to +the practice of our harmless sport, so full of +hopes and composure, you would soon confess +to its excellency, and say with the unknown +poet,<a id='r14'></a><a href='#f14' class='c011'><sup>[14]</sup></a></p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>‘Oh let me rather on the pleasant brink</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Of Tyne and Trent possess some dwelling place,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Where I may see my quill and cork down sink</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘With eager bite of barbel, bleik, or dace.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Let other men their pastimes, then, pursue,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And on their pleasing fancies feed their fill:</div> + <div class='line'>‘So I the fields and meadows green may view,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And by the rivers fresh may walk at will,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Among the daisies and the violets blue,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Red hyacinth and yellow daffodil,</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘Purple narcissus like the morning rays,</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘Pale ganderglass and azure culverkayes.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘The lofty woods; the forests wide and long,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Adorn’d with leaves and branches fresh and green,</div> + <div class='line'>‘In whose cool bow’rs the birds with chaunting song</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Do welcome with their quire the summer’s queen,</div> + <div class='line'>‘The meadows fair, where Flora’s gifts among</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Are intermix’d the verdant grass between.</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘The silver scaled fish that softly swim</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘Within the brooks and crystal wat’ry brim.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘All these and many more of His creation</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘That made the heavens, the angler oft doth see,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And takes therein no little delectation</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘To think how strange and wonderful they be.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Why, Sir, your faithful memory +is like a casket, well stored with curious gems, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>that you unlock at will to embellish your discourse +withal: and now here is my picture of +Spittle Hill.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is an obvious copy of nature, and +a sweet view over Ashbourne.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> The brow of such a hill gives the +advantage of a large prospect.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And now, if you please, we may follow +the steps of these gentlemen riders, and +descend into Ashbourne.—See, we are come +to the town, and here is the River Henmore, +that runs under this stone bridge; and this is +the way to the market-place.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> What is there? methinks I see an +ivy bush; and the sign of an inn.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That is the Talbot, and a very decent +hostelry; so let us ‘<i>drink a glass of barley +wine at the Talbot, and away</i>,’ after the example +of Mr. Cotton and his new friend.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> With all my heart. Was this Mr. +Cotton’s Inn?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye, truly. What, oh! good man, +will you please to bring us a cup of ale?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Come, brother, here’s to Mr. Walton, +and his adopted son, Mr. Charles Cotton?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I thank you for that pledge; and +here is my loving service to you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And now let us be gone; for since +<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>we are come into this valley, I am all impatience +to find your River Dove, which, methinks, +should be hereabouts.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Not so fast, Sir; we must climb +that steep hill on the other side of the town; +and after that we have some hours before we +shall see the most pleasant river in England.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How! methought Ashbourne was +close upon the margin of the Dove!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is but a furlong or two off; nevertheless +we have to make a circuit before we +come to that most delightful of rivers; for +trust me the road to Beresford Hall is over +‘<i>an odd country</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It was but now you promised I +should see ‘such alluring scenes, decked by +Nature’s hand as to be little spots of enchantment;’ +and now you tell me I must be satisfied +to see an odd country!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay, good brother; remember how +you are to exercise the meekness and patience +of an angler; and you shall confess, when you +see my Dove, that it ‘<i>covers the faults of the +road</i>;’ and so let me persuade you to breast the +hill.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, Sir, lead on; and I shall endeavour +to be even with you.—Heigho! at last +we are clambered up.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span><i>Angler.</i> It was done with a gamesome spirit, +worthy of an angler.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> But it has made me pant: and +here’s a shady ash tree, so let us rest awhile, +that I may recover myself.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> With all my heart; and stretch our +limbs on this green bank: and I may tell you, +this pretty spot is Sandy Brook.——And now, +if you are rested, let us not loiter, but hither +away to the left, down by this green lane.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am with you; but what have +we here? another swift bubbling stream, that +flows over a rocky bed, and is scarce a foot deep.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> ’Tis Bentley Brook, that whirls +hastily along to meet her playmate, the Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And, by my word, a very pretty +rivulet it is.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I have Mr. Cotton’s authority to +say, ‘<i>it is full of good trouts and graylings, but +so encumbered with wood in many places as is +troublesome to an angler</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Whereabouts does it rise?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That I cannot resolve you; but you +are not to wonder if the stream comes to us, +as you now see it, like to transparent crystal: +for the flowering wells of Tissington empty +themselves, with a constant freshness, into Bentley +Brook.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span><i>Painter.</i> Those Tissington Wells, which are +flowered on holydays by the country folk?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The same; and of a singular clearness; +nay, they are more transparent than the +silvery waters of famed Sabrina, where</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in10'>‘The shepherds, at their festivals,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Carol her goodness loud in rustic lays,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And throw sweet garland-wreaths into her stream,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Of pancies, pinks, and gaudy daffodils;’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>and, indeed, I have sometimes seen on Holy +Thursday such dainty devices of flowers wrought +by rustical artists at Tissington, in roses, and +violets, and marygolds, and lady-smocks, as I +could not but admire how it was all contrived; +and for this the country folks and shepherds +scatter themselves, some days before, in busy +cheerful companies, like bees, over the hills +and down the dales, to cull their stores of wild +flowers; and every one willingly robs his garden, +for a contribution to the bowers and arbours +that overhang the wells: and there they +weave them into curious inventions of mottoes +and scripture texts. And when the happy holy +morning breaks, they come together to church; +and after service they walk, with their loved +and loving parson at their head, in a procession +round about their ornamental wells, with music +<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>and singing of psalms: and so they pass the rest +of the day in innocent mirth and country sports. +And I may tell you, the many-coloured flowers +of Dove Dale are offered for a tribute to this +calendar festival.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You have made we wish and resolve +to see this well-flowering, come next Holy +Thursday; and I shall love those sacred springs +the better, since they help to crystallize the +waters of Bentley; for I have not seen a more +inviting brook.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I will not say we shall come to +clearer streams; nevertheless, I hope we may +walk and angle by some others that are as +good: but thither she hurries on her way, rejoicing +and being rejoiced; and I warrant she +will find the Dove before you and I may do so. +But come, here is another hill before us, hard +by Thorpe Cloud; and I’ll requite your patience +by a vernal prospect. Follow me but a +step to the left, and now what say you?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Bless me, what an unusual landskip.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> There before you are the mountains +in Staffordshire over against Ilam; and yonder +the Dove, which glides far off through the valley +by Oakover Bridge,—and after that meanders +as far as Mayfield. There you may see +<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>hill and dale, and green pastures, with their +thronging flocks and herds. Now tell me, +Sir, is not merry England a place most fit for +free-hearted gentlemen to live in? And he that +makes a journey throughout the different regions +of our land shall meet a thousand vales +as pleasant as this we now see: nay, some I +could name are better, where you may look on +all the diversity of golden corn fields, and pastures, +and vallies and hills, rivers and plains; +and round about many fine country mansion-houses, +and bright steeples, gleaming through +village-woods; and in the cities high cathedrals +and collegiate churches, more venerable and +sacred by reason of their daily appointed services +and chaunts.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> But a man may travel some miles +ere he shall light on a finer champagne than +this before us. It calls to my mind how the +prophet, from the top of Mount Pisgah, in the +field of Zophim, lifted up his eyes, and saw +Israel abiding in his tents according to their +tribes, and said, ‘<i>How goodly are thy tents, O +Jacob! and thy tabernacles, O Israel! as the +valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the +river’s side, as the trees of lign-aloes which the +Lord hath planted, and as cedar-trees beside +the waters.</i>’ Long may the people of Britain +<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>be holy and stedfast in the church, and loyal to +their king! then shall they resemble the tribes +of Israel, having, as it were, ‘<i>the strength of an +unicorn; they shall eat up the nations, their +enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce +them through with their arrows</i>.’ Then they +shall ‘<i>couch, they shall lie down like a lion, and +as a great lion; who shall stir them up</i>?’ Then +‘<i>blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he +that curseth thee</i>.’ But what have we here, +that is like a huge conical barrow? Let us +climb to the top, that we may get a wider prospect +of the landskip.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The same Thorpe Cloud you saw +so towering in the distance from Spittle Hill; +but he now appears under another aspect, and +before you could scale the height you must +needs descend into a deep valley which lies between +us.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Say you so? I can scarce believe +it; for the distance looks to be less than a +bow-shoot.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is, nevertheless, true; and yonder, +to the left, is Bunster Hill, in Staffordshire, +that is like the back of a gigantic elephant: and +between these two mountains flow the happy +streams of the Dove; and that to the right +hand is Black Moor: we have but two miles +<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>hence, and then our Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> If so, let us mend our pace; but +tell me, is this the way Mr. Cotton brought his +friend?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The same; and all the while he +entertained him with a discourse of the trouty +rivers of his county of Derby, as, namely, the +Dove, the Wye, the Derwent, and the great +Trent, that wanders through many rich towns +and forests, until it loses its name and waters +in the sea.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And is all Mr. Charles Cotton’s +treatise of fly-fishing in the form of a dialogue?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye; and full of pertinent observations +and exceeding plausibleness.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Although I am willing to confess +Mr. Walton’s Angler to be a most persuasive +book, because he knows how to qualify his +discourse with all kinds of graceful changes and +descriptions; yet methinks Mr. Cotton had no +need to model his writings after the unusual +example of a dialogue.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> By your leave, not so unusual; for +have you forgot the many patterns that almost +every age hath produced, of treatises, both +learned and witty, in the form of colloquies? +Let me bring to your mind that most subtle +and philosophic dialogue, the ‘Symposiac, or +<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>Banquet’ of <i>Plato</i>, the most learned of the +Grecians, wherein his master, <i>Socrates</i>, is made +to discourse with a wisdom that seemed to be a +scintillation of divine truth. And not only +Plato’s ‘Banquet,’ but his ‘Alcibiades,’ and +others, so full of invincible arguments in support +of virtue, as charmed the understanding of +that age.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, if you will go back to ancient +times, there are Tully’s five days’ disputations +at his retired Tusculan villa with Marcus +Brutus, where he persuades his hearers by the +most notable arguments to the contempt of +death.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And what say you of that banquet +of <i>Xenophon</i>, at the Athenian festival of Minerva? +for he gives us to understand how, +after the show was finished, as he walked out +of the city, he fell in with <i>Socrates</i> and others, +discoursing together, and invited them civilly +to supper; which they accepted, and went with +him to his house at Piræus.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I remember; and there they entertained +each other with learned and profitable +conversation.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But neither the philosophy of <i>Socrates</i> +and <i>Plato</i>, nor the eloquence of <i>Tully</i>, +could match with that exalted wisdom of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>apostolic fathers and doctors, who have delivered +to the Church the most clear interpretations +of holy writ. And some of them unlocked +the boundless treasures of celestial truth, +and pointed the way to heaven, through the +shadowings and darkness of error, by the medium +of colloquies. As Hermas (who was the +friend of St. Paul, that great apostle of the +Gentiles) in his ‘Pastor or Shepherd.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Have not some learned men of our +times, and, indeed, of the ancient fathers, questioned +the authority of that book of Hermas?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I may not deny that the cautious +judgments of some are yet divided upon it: but +Irenæus, Origen, and others, have pronounced +it to be ‘a very profitable book,’ and it was +appointed to be read in many of the earliest +christian churches.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I believe it is true, that Hermas +was the friend of St. Paul, and is thought to +have sealed his holy life by a glorious martyrdom.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And it is certain his book was composed +in the form of a dialogue: for he declares +how, when he had prayed at home, and was +sat down upon the bed, an old man came to +him in the habit of a shepherd, clothed with +a white cloak, having his bag upon his back, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>and his staff in his hand, and saluted him; and +thereupon they most lovingly conversed together: +for the shepherd instructed him what +things he was to avoid, and what good works +to perform, that he might be saved.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And what followed?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then Hermas, from time to time, +questioned the holy shepherd with a modest +confidence, and asked an explanation of many +sublime points of our belief, that were then +to him an incomprehensible mystery, all which +the accostable stranger revealed to him, speaking +with authority and wisdom: and so they +continued to discourse, until the pastor rose up +and departed.<a id='r15'></a><a href='#f15' class='c011'><sup>[15]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'>Again I will put you in mind how, in a later +age of the church, holy Justin Martyr records +a most learned and spiritual dialogue, which he +held at Ephesus with one Trypho, a Jew, +wherein he sets forth his own first blessed conversion +to Christianity. For, having in vain +sought after the knowledge of the true God in +the schools of the Stoics and Peripatetics, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>found them to be unsatisfying to the high desires +of his soul, he gave himself up to solitude +and meditation: and, in one of his retired walks +on the sea-shore, meeting with an aged person +of a mild and reverend aspect, he entered into +a conversation with him. Then he told the +stranger how fervent a zeal was kindled in his +breast to come to a perfect intelligence of the +nature of God, and so fell to a commendation +of the study of philosophy. Whereupon the +venerable Trypho endeavoured to cure him of +his ignorant admiration of <i>Plato</i> and <i>Pythagoras</i>, +and exhorted him to an examination of the +writings of the Hebrew prophets, as being +more ancient than any of those heathen philosophers; +and by his admonitions and clear arguments +he opened to him the joyful knowledge +of the sacred mysteries of Christianity. +Above all things, he persuaded him to pray +that the beams of heavenly light might shine on +his benighted soul; for that the truths of the +Gospel must be spiritually discerned through the +power of God.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Did Justin continue his acquaintance +with the stranger, whose calm and meek +way of discoursing had persuaded him to a better +judgment of divine things?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> After that first meeting he never +<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>saw him again; but he was stirred with a holy +desire to attain a more familiar knowledge of +the prophets, and his wishes soared up on high; +and at last he was convinced that he had all +along wandered in darkness, and that the Holy +Scriptures contained the only true philosophy.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> All this brings to my recollection +some other examples of books composed after +the form of conversations: as namely, Petrarch’s +imaginary dialogues between himself and Augustine, +where the saint endeavours to withdraw +the poet from the willing thraldom of his love +for Laura, and to persuade him to the study of +wisdom, as alone capable to bestow true liberty: +and, again, the facetious Colloquia of Erasmus, +so full of wit and biting satire; and the ‘Anatomie +of Abuses whipped and stripped,’ by the +precise Mr. Stubbes, proceeding from his own +dogmatical whimsies.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then, forget not the three books of +colloquies, on the art of shooting in great and +small pieces of artillerie, written in Italian by +Nicholas Tartaglia.<a id='r16'></a><a href='#f16' class='c011'><sup>[16]</sup></a> And again, that royal +dialogue of riding the great horse, composed in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>the French tongue, by Monsieur Antoine Pluvinel;<a id='r17'></a><a href='#f17' class='c011'><sup>[17]</sup></a> +and I can declare it to be a most courteous, +gentle, and ingenious conversation between +the young King Louis, the Duke of Bellegarde, +and Monsieur Antoine himself. With +what a rare eloquence does he commend and +teach the art of making demivoltes, cabrioes, and +courbettes, with all the other graceful motions +on horseback, most fit for gentlemen of quality!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And his book is adorned with excellent +copper cuts by Crispin Pass, the ingenious +engraver of those living effigies of the +<span class='sc'>Heröologia</span>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The same: but I forbear all further +mention of dialogues, except a little book I +lately saw at the house of an ingenious and +modest friend, dwelling in Chancery-lane, in +London, who is a constant lover of Mr. Walton +and his art of angling, and endeared to many +of his professed disciples; and hath been so +exact and skilful a promoter of letters, as to be +called <span class='sc'>Aldi discipulus Anglus</span>, as witness +the sign of the Dolphin and Anchor, engraved +on the title of his imprinted books, after the +fashion of Aldus Manutius. And because he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>has a happy fortune in the discovery of ancient +books, you may find at his house a store of all +kinds. It was a few days before my last departure +from London, I made him a visit, when +he conducted me into his parlour, to show me +his little cabinet of rarities: and there, after +some cheerful conversation on fishing, when I +told him I purposed my summer travels to the +Dove, he presented me with a letter writ by +Mr. Cotton to his ‘<i>dear and worthy father</i>,’ +Mr. Izaak Walton.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! and I dare believe you +treasured it up with your many other written +epistles of noted men in your study at home.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Pardon me; I have made it my +companion here in my wallet; and some day I +will indulge you with the reading of it, when +you are worthy, and put on better thoughts of +anglers. But to return to the book I told you +of; it is an ancient discourse ‘<i>Of the Nature of</i> +<span class='sc'>God</span>,’ which the writer calls ‘a little treatise +of a great argument.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> The argument was great indeed, +and I beseech you proceed to your account of +it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The work was writ by the learned, +pious and painful Bishop of Durham (Morton), +who made Dr. Donne the offer of his own +<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>benefice, if he would be persuaded to enter into +Holy Orders, and so become ‘<i>an Ambassador +for the God of glory; that God, who, by a vile +death opened the gates of life to mankind</i>:’ and +it is fit to tell you that I set the greater store +by this book, because I am convinced Mr. +Walton hath taken a pleasure in the perusal of +it, insomuch as to make the opening chapter of +his <span class='sc'>Complete Angler</span> after that model. It +is a conversation betwixt a gentleman and a +scholar, who were travelling on horseback from +the north, by the same road, to the city of York; +and thus it begins—</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘<i>Gentleman.</i><a id='r18'></a><a href='#f18' class='c011'><sup>[18]</sup></a> Well overtaken, Sir.</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘<i>Scholar.</i> You are welcome, gentleman.</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘<i>Gentleman.</i> No great gentleman, Sir, but +one that wisheth well to all that mean well: I +pray you how far do you travel this way?</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘<i>Scholar.</i> As far as York.</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘<i>Gentleman.</i> I would be glad if I might have +your company thither.</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘<i>Scholar.</i> And I, if my company might stand +you in any stead.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>Thereupon ensued a gentle and most ingenious +<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>conversation: and they argued the mysterious +matter of the omnipotency and incomprehensible +greatness of God, to their mutual +contentment and confirmation in the truth, until +they came to Newcastle, where the scholar’s +little nag would scarce hold foot with the strong +gelding of the gentleman; and so they put up +at some honest house where the scholar was +acquainted, and were both heartily welcome, +‘and honestly used for their money.’ And there +we will leave them to their entertainment and +rest,—and cross this meadow of buttercups.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You have angled me on, and beguiled +the way with these colloquies most pleasantly; +for we have walked some miles, and I +heartily thank you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Look, Sir; now you have a view +of some rocks before you in a little distance; +there are the steep declivities overhanging the +other side of the Dove, which is at a great +depth below. A few steps more,—and we are +come to Hanson Grange.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is a pretty sequestered spot; and +the house stands on the very brow of the cliff, +which is ornamented with wood; and I hope +we are arrived at Dove Dale.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Have patience: not yet, Sir;—this +is Nab’s Dale: but turn again this way to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>right, for there is Hanson Toot. And look, +yonder is the church at Alstonfields; and, I +beseech you; deny me not the contrivance of a +picture.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I’ll do it cheerfully; and the hills +array themselves to an advantage. What a +general harmony is in the works of nature! +Here, by a few lines, with seeming carelessness +put together, even those bleak and craggy hills +are made to the congruity and order of beauty; +and the aspect of the church on the hill is pretty +for a distance.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And when you are come there, you +shall find a retired village, and a decent house +of entertainment; where we may have supper +and a clean bed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Was it there <i>Piscator</i> cheered his +companion after his journey?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Not so: for Mr. Cotton conducted +him to his handsome seat at Beresford, and there +you may believe he made amends, as he promised +to do, for bringing him ‘<i>an ill mile or +two out of his way</i>;’ for he gave him a hearty +welcome; and after that they made no strangers +of each other, but with good Moorland ale +and a pipe of tobacco passed an hour or two in +conversation before they went to bed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And I am ready to do the same; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>so let us be going, for there is my poor copy of +Alstonfields church.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is the church itself, and those +distant hills, that stand behind it with a natural +gloom. Come on, Sir.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Gently, so please you; and let me +take care of myself down these slippery stones. +How the path winds and turns in a zig-zag! I +shall tumble ere I get to the bottom.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Never fear, Sir! never fear; every +slippery stone and every step of the way has a +charm for me; for here it was Mr. Cotton +travelled with his friend, who was in a strange +taking as he crept or slided down.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And well he might be, for it is an +uncouth precipice: it is the land of break-neck.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> A little steep, I grant you; but +come on, for methinks we are near ‘<i>the sign +of a bridge</i>,’ which is so narrow, <i>Viator</i> thought +it was fit only for wheelbarrows, and declared +he was inclinable to ‘<i>go over on all fours</i>:’ so +look out.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, Sir; but to look out for any +thing beyond my footing, is more than man can +do in such a ribble rabble place as this.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come, brother, give over this complaining: +for, look you, there is the ‘<i>wheelbarrow +bridge</i>;’ and listen to the river below. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>How the noise of her waters falls on mine ear +like the voice of melody! Welcome, crystal +Dove; for we purpose to cast away some innocent +hours in thy cool recesses.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Oh my beloved nymph, fair Dove,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Princess of rivers, how I love</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Upon thy flowery banks to lie,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And view the silver stream</div> + <div class='line'>‘When gilded by a summer’s beam!</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And in it all thy wanton fry</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘Playing at liberty;</div> + <div class='line'>‘And with my angle upon them</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘The all of treachery</div> + <div class='line'>‘I ever learn’d industriously to try.’<a id='r19'></a><a href='#f19' class='c011'><sup>[19]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Now we are safely down; and the +river rustles merrily under the bridge, crisping +itself into foam. And what hamlet is yonder, +on the Staffordshire side, with a cheerful mill?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That is Mill Dale, and there lies the +road to Alstonfields.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Let us be forward; for the sun +sinks down apace,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Bidding farewell unto the gloomy sky.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Stay a while: if you have any affection +for me, you will not pass by this enchanting +<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>glen, and leave me no record. Look again—see +how the evening gleams linger over the +tops of the mountains. I beseech you, sit on +‘<i>this broad stone</i>,’ and draw me a picture.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> This landskip needs a better hand +than mine to give the natural fall of the rocks, +and throw that bridge and the mill into a deep +perspective.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You are too modest; so pr’ythee +begin, and I’ll sit by your side, and repeat you +some pastoral verses composed by famed Sir +Walter Raleigh.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Come, then, tune your voice to the +air.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘And loudly sing a roundelay of love.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Shall I give you ‘<i>Phillida’s love-call +to her Coridon, and his replying</i>?’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye, do so.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> [sings.]</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Coridon, arise my Coridon.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Sing, I pray you, boldly, that the +rocks may answer with an echo.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I’ll do my best; for the Pastoral is +worthy, and full of an innocent love. Let me +see if I can remember me how it runs. [<i>sings.</i>]—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>PHILLIDA’S LOVE-CALL TO HER CORIDON, AND HIS REPLYING.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> Coridon, arise, my Coridon,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Titan shineth clear.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> Who is it that calleth Coridon?</div> + <div class='line in4'>Who is it that I hear?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> Phillida, thy true love calleth thee;</div> + <div class='line in4'>Arise then, arise then;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Arise, and keep thy flock with me.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> Phillida, my true love, is it she?</div> + <div class='line in4'>I come then, I come then;</div> + <div class='line in2'>I come to keep my flock with thee.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> Here are cherries ripe for my Coridon;</div> + <div class='line in4'>Eat them for my sake.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> Here’s my oaten pipe, my lovely one,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Sport for thee to make.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> Here are threads, my true love, fine as silk,</div> + <div class='line in4'>To knit thee, to knit thee</div> + <div class='line in2'>A pair of stockings as white as milk.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> Here are reeds, my true love, fine and neat,</div> + <div class='line in4'>To make thee, to make thee</div> + <div class='line in2'>A bonnet to withstand the heat.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> I will gather flowers, my Coridon,</div> + <div class='line in4'>To set in thy cap.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> I will gather pears, my lovely one,</div> + <div class='line in4'>To put in thy lap.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> I will buy my true love garters gay,</div> + <div class='line in4'>For Sundays, for Sundays,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To wear about his legs so tall.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> I will buy my true love yellow sey,<a id='r20'></a><a href='#f20' class='c011'><sup>[20]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line in4'><span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>For Sundays, for Sundays,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To wear about her middle small.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> When my Coridon sits on a hill,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Making melody.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> When my lovely goes to her wheel,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Singing cheerily.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> Surely, methinks, my true love doth excel,</div> + <div class='line in4'>For sweetness, for sweetness,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Our Pan, that old Arcadian knight.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> And, methinks my true love bears the bell,</div> + <div class='line in4'>For clearness, for clearness,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Beyond the nymphs that be so bright.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> Had my Coridon, my Coridon,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Been, alack! my swain:</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> Had my lovely one, my lovely one,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Been in Ida plain:</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> Cynthia Endymion had refus’d,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Preferring, preferring</div> + <div class='line in2'>My Coridon to play with-all.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> The Queen of Love had been excused,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Bequeathing, bequeathing</div> + <div class='line in2'>My Phillida the golden ball.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> Yonder comes my mother, Coridon!</div> + <div class='line in4'>Whither shall I fly?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> Under yon beach, my lovely one,</div> + <div class='line in4'>While she passeth by.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Phil.</i> Say to her thy true love was not here.</div> + <div class='line in4'>Remember, remember,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To-morrow is another day.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Cor.</i> Doubt me not, my true love; do not fear:</div> + <div class='line in4'>Farewell, then, farewell then.</div> + <div class='line in2'>Heaven keep our loves alway.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Thank you, thank you; that is a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>well-tuned gladsome pastoral, and as well sung +as it is composed; and I will now confess, this +walk to the Dove, and the freshness of the +Derbyshire hills, and, above all, the ingenious +delight you take in following Mr. Cotton’s +footsteps, have put new thoughts into my mind. +There is the best picture I can make for you; +but I am not a limner to fix those intricate +lights and shadows that flit from one rock to +another with the passing clouds.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Truly, Sir, it could not be better +composed; and now let us towards Alstonfields, +and over the wheelbarrow bridge.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> With all my heart: but not ‘<i>on all +fours</i>.’ Observe how the water hurries away, +rippling over the rocky bed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ah! saw you that, Sir?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I saw nothing: what was it?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It was a hungry trout rose at a fly: +now, by your leave, I must have the delight to +try my poor skill in the Dove. That trout has +transported me beyond discretion.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You have my permission; so fix +your tackling and go to work.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> There again: did you not see him +rise?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I saw him not.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, then, if I have any luck, you +<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>shall see him by supper time at Alstonfields.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I wish you good sport with all my +heart, and do you call me if you chance to hook +him; meantime I’ll contrive another sketch of +these glades and rocks.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Do not forget to make the Dove a +part of your picture.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And remember, you have promised +to requite me with a good trout for supper.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I said a brace.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Better and better; so farewell, and +good luck go with thee.——</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> ——Halloo!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How now, Brother Piscator?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Hoi! quickly,—that you may partake +of the delights of angling: here is a heavy +fish, and my line being slender give me the +net.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, I beseech you, let me land +him, that I may have the honour of a helping +hand with our first trout in the Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You shall, and welcome too; but +manage him with discretion.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Trust me: I’m ready—haul him +now to the bank; ah, me! he’s gone away +again: he was desperate.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Fear not, I have him safe: I but +play with him; see, he begins to tire; and now +<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>you may take him: gently, gently—so, ’twas +bravely netted.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Do but look how his belly and sides +are spotted with bright red spots.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is a goodly fish; but I must give +you a brace: and there was another rise under +the further bank; wait a moment, and he is +mine.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Then I’ll call you a master of your +art, and since you have entertained me with +the pleasure of this trout, I’ll go finish my +picture of the Dove, for it is worth all my +little skill in drawing.——So; how is it with +you?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Here is the brace of trouts I promised +you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You are as good as your word. +And I have not been idle.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I thank you; they are the very rocks +and my Dove; and here is the bridge and, I +declare, two anglers landing a trout! So hither +away for Alstonfields with merry hearts;</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘There roast him and baste him with good claret wine,</div> + <div class='line'>‘For the calvor’d boyl’d trout will make thee to dine</div> + <div class='line'>‘With dainty contentment.’<a id='r21'></a><a href='#f21' class='c011'><sup>[21]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span><i>Painter.</i> Step on, brother, for you cannot +desire to be at supper more than I do; and now +we have trudged up the hill, and are come to +the church we saw from Hanson Toot, on the +other side.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And there is the ‘honest alehouse’ +I told you of—and see, mine host standing under +the porch, ready to welcome loyal travellers to +the ‘King’s Head.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Kept by ‘<i>Herbert Marsh</i>’—for +there’s his name printed in large underneath.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image061.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> +<div class='c005 figcenter id002'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span> +<img src='images/image063a.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 id='II' class='c006'>CHAPTER II.<br> <i>A Conference at Supper between the</i> Angler, <i>the</i> Painter, <i>and the</i> Host.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><i>Angler.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='c009'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage063b.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +How do you, Mr. Marsh?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, your servant +at command.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Can we have good entertainment +and clean beds at your house?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir! we shall do our utmost to give +you satisfaction: and for beds, I may say there +are not better in the Peak, with ‘sheets laid up +in lavender.’ What, ho! boy, take these +gentlemen’s fish pannier and angle rods. Will +it please you, Sirs, to walk into the parlour?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is well; and the sooner you can +make ready for supper the better pleased we +shall be; for we have walked all the way from +Derby; and here is a brace of trouts: but look +you, Mr. Marsh, one condition I would make, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>and that is, you dress them according to a fancy +I have.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, you shall be obeyed; nevertheless +we have a notable method for boiling a trout or +grayling in these parts, that I never knew to +displease any anglers.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But if you know not the manner +recommended by Mr. Cotton, who lives at +Beresford Hall, I shall not be persuaded to +think them skilfully done.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, I am now your most humble servant, +and willing to dress these trouts according +to your wishes, seeing you approve the method +of noble Mr. Cotton.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Then you know Mr. Charles Cotton, +of Beresford Hall?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> That, Sir, by your leave, I should do, +and know him well too; for I was a servant +in the family when his right honourable father +lived at the hall, of whom only this I may +declare, he was loved and esteemed for his +gentle qualities of nature by the late most +learned Lord Chancellor<a id='r22'></a><a href='#f22' class='c011'><sup>[22]</sup></a> of Oxford and England, +and was united with him in the same bold +<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>and generous zeal for the service of the late +king, of pious memory: and I was the first +that taught Mr. Charles Cotton, in his happy +youthful days, to fish in the River Dove, when +he was a mere schoolboy, and to mew and cast +and lure his falcon-gentles, and all manner of +hawks. And since that time he has often had +me to a day’s fishing with him, and by his native +condescension makes me find myself at ease +in his company, notwithstanding my humble +conditions.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Indeed! then I may tell you this +gentleman and myself have come all the way +from Derby, and some miles beyond that, to +find his fishing-house, and to spend a day or two +angling in the vallies of the Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> You are not the first gentlemen by +many, that have done this; and you will not +think your labour lost when you have seen the +Fishing-house; for that it is a wonderful ingenious +place, and most skilfully adorned, no person, +who has seen it, can deny. But will you +be pleased to sit down in these elbow chairs, and +rest yourselves till the trouts are ready.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Willingly: for I could not walk +another Derbyshire mile, if it were to purchase +a king’s ransom. And now, Mr. Marsh, I pray +you, look to the supper, that it be served quickly, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>for we are nigh famished.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And remember to give the trouts +‘<i>three scotches with a knife</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Aye, Sir, ‘<i>and to the bone on one side +only</i>.’ I go to see it done as you desire.——</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Did you observe, brother, how this +honest host, for such I doubt not he is, took up +the words of Mr. Cotton? You may depend he +hath read the ‘<i>Instructions how to angle for a +trout or grayling in a clear stream.</i>’ We are +like to pass a pleasant evening here at Alstonfields, +and to learn more of Mr. Cotton, and of +his ‘<i>pretty moorland seat</i>’ than we had any hope +to do when we began our journey. What a +neat parlour is here, and the boards all sanded +over!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And see how mine host has garnish’t +out his walls with little pictures; here’s +the history of Judith, and Susanna, and Daniel +in the lion’s den; and the furniture not amiss; +the oaken cabinet, and tables polished like a +mirror.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And here are books in the window; +look you, Fox’s Book of Martyrs, and Bishop +Taylor’s ‘Holy Living and Dying;’ and here +before all other books, is the <span class='sc'>Great Bible</span>,<a id='r23'></a><a href='#f23' class='c011'><sup>[23]</sup></a> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>that King James caused to be translated out of +the Hebrew and Greek tongues by those <i>forty-seven</i> +most pious and learned divines of our holy +church, thereby opening to the people of these +realms those fountains of living waters, more +precious than rivers of gold; for he that thirsteth +after them in an honest and believing heart, shall +hear <span class='fss'>THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY</span>, ‘<span class='blackletter'>Come; +let him that is athirst come; and whosoever +will, let him take of the water of life +freely</span>.’<a id='r24'></a><a href='#f24' class='c011'><sup>[24]</sup></a> Happy were they to be chosen—thrice +happy to unlock and deliver to all ages +the mysterious treasures of God’s Holy Word. +Of these I may not forget charitable Dr. Launcelot +Andrewes.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> He that refused to be consecrated a +bishop, because he would not be persuaded to +give a helping hand in the spoil of the ecclesiastical +revenues.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span><i>Angler.</i> Nor less happy in this surpassing work +was Dr. Adrian Saravia, of so sweet a nature, +and dispositions so notable, that he was joined +to Mr. Hooker in a bosom friendship, which +was only ended by death, when that judicious +champion of our church thought himself happy +to die in the arms of him he loved with so confiding +a love.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> This gift to his people of the English +Bible was indeed a ‘ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΟΝ ΔΟΡΟΝ’ +worthy of a king,<a id='r25'></a><a href='#f25' class='c011'><sup>[25]</sup></a> and seeing these books of +our host, I am more inclined to entertain good +thoughts of him: but here he comes.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And the supper too. You have lost +no time, Mr. Marsh.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, I hope you may find it +to be as well done as quickly, for that is what I +desired; and I have spared nothing to make +them to your taste, even to the ‘<i>little handsome +faggot of rosemary, thyme, and winter +savory</i>,’ that Mr. Cotton bids us ‘<i>throw into +the liquor</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well then, let us say grace for these +<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>mercies we have, and now fall to it. Come, +this is excellent, and, as I profess myself to be +an angler, I have not tasted trouts more seasonable:—Apicius +himself could not have desired +them more daintily dressed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, I am glad you find them to your +liking.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And now, what say you of your barley +wine?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, it is well known how the Staffordshire +ale is the best in England, or as good as +any; and though I would not be thought a +braggart, I may say that mine is second to none +in the county.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then bring us a good flagon; for I +long to drink Mr. Cotton’s health in a full cup +at Alstonfields:—Now brother.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> With all my heart—here’s to Mr. +Cotton.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Mr. Cotton, the dear friend of Mr. +Izaak Walton!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sirs, I thank you for your kind +thoughts towards my master, and there is not a +worthier gentleman lives than Mr. Cotton; and +may I be so bold to ask how you find our Staffordshire +ale?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is excellent, and no lack of malt +in’t.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span><i>Host.</i> And now, Gentlemen, here is meat, +with a fresh sallet; and my good dame has +prepared some confections, and tossed a sweet +pancake.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> This mutton is as good as your ale.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is all excellent; thanks to you +and our good hostess: ‘small cheer and great +welcome make a merry feast;’ but you are +liberal with both: and now we have finished +our supper, what say you, brother, have you an +inclination to a pipe?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I am nothing loath.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And I’m for another jug of that +nappy ale, if you do not fear it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I fear nothing in your discreet company: +so, Mr. Marsh, bring us pipes, and some +more of your Staffordshire ale, and let there be +a toast and sugar in’t, with a little spice of nutmeg.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye, aye, and a race or two of ginger.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sirs, it shall be as you desire; and with +all diligence.—— ——</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And now, brother, what think you +of our host?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> In sooth, a modest, well-spoken +man, with a decent composure of carriage; not +like some of your would-be-witty tapsters, that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>have ‘a finger in all trades, and an oar in every +man’s boat.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And that is my opinion of him; and +so, when he returns, if you stand not on scruples, +let us invite him to sit with us awhile; for I +would ask him some questions about Mr. Cotton +and his fishing-house.——</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, here is a tankard of spiced +ale, with pipes, and the best tobacco I have.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I doubt not the quality of your tobacco, +but I always carry my own; and now, +Mr. Marsh, if you will give us the pleasure of +your conversation awhile, and smoke a pipe from +my box, you shall be heartily welcome.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sirs, I humbly thank you; but I pray +you to excuse me: I would not be thought to +grow presumptuous because you are pleased to +be familiar.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, Mr. Marsh, stay not on a +punctilio; we would have your company, if it +be only to drink Mr. Cotton’s good health; and +here’s my Virginia, so fill your pipe.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> One cup to the noble master of Beresford: +pr’ythee be seated, Mr. Marsh.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, since you desire me this +honour, I shall obey as I ought, and heartily +thank you.——Sirs, I make bold to drink your +health, wishing you all possible pleasure hereabouts +<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>on the banks of the Dove, and good +success with your angle rods.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It promises so many natural beauties, +that I expect to find it as pleasant a river +as I have seen.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Say the pleasantest of all, good brother.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> First let me see the fishing-house; +and then, perhaps, I may be brought to join in +your opinion. Shall we be permitted to visit +that spot?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Doubt it not, Sir: you that have read +Mr. Cotton’s second part of the <span class='sc'>Complete +Angler</span>, may readily believe how he inclines +to Gentlemen fishers, seeing he has therein +clearly depicted his own likeness; for I may +declare to you my master has an alluring suavity +and a singular freedom of spirit. Therefore he +will never refuse a liberty to civil strangers, to +see his fishing-house: indeed, I have known +him to send his servants to the river, with meat +and ale for their refreshment; or sometimes, if +they be anglers, invite them to the house. And +it was after this manner the first accidental rudiments +of that friendship sprung up betwixt +himself and brave Colonel Richard Lovelace. +I remember he found that gentleman to be endowed +with such a ripeness of wit, and zeal for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>the king’s cause, that he persuaded him to a long +forgetfulness of his intended journey to London, +and then was so unwilling to lose his conversation +and company, that he made an occasion +to go to Ashbourne, that he might conduct him so +far on horseback by Hanson Toot and Bentley.<a id='r26'></a><a href='#f26' class='c011'><sup>[26]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I have heard say that Colonel Lovelace +was afterwards, in his distress, a constant +partaker of Mr. Cotton’s open and generous +disposition.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Alas! Sir, his disposition is over generous +for his fortunes; and it is famous in all +the Peak, that Mr. Cotton is now detained +<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>from Beresford against his desires, lest his enemies +should incommode him.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Say not so: I would not have it +true, that a gentleman of so high a candour +and of such worth should be an exile from his +estates.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Were it other than true, I should indeed +be happy: he has none but friends in all +this country, unless it be some remnant of +those injurious and rank weeds that sprung up +through the Commonweal under the late tyranny. +He is of a clear courage, like his noble +father; and both manifested a constant loyalty +for the king, during the frenzy of those rugged +times.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It may be this brought against him +a part of his present cares.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Alas, it did that; for it is a known +truth how the estate was encumber’d on his +Majesty’s behalf: and indeed my master showed +himself to be a loving subject in those sad distractions, +when there was a danger so much as +to be thought of the royal party. And another +great charge was to enrich his house and +grounds with all manner of curious ornamental +art, in so much that they be noted in these parts +for a garden of devices. And some of our +chiefest nobility think themselves happy in Mr. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>Cotton’s friendship; as Lord Jermayne, and +the most noble Earl of Devonshire,<a id='r27'></a><a href='#f27' class='c011'><sup>[27]</sup></a> who lives +in his stately mansion at Chatsworth, and permits +a familiarity with him; nay, I have seen +them practise with foils in our great Hall, and +notwithstanding the Earl has the longer arm +and is esteemed a very dextrous fencer, he +cannot, with all his <i>parries</i>, defend himself +against Mr. Cotton’s <i>counterpoint</i> and skilful +<i>disengagements</i>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I pray you, what age is Mr. Charles +Cotton?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, Mr. Cotton was born forty-seven +years, gone the 28th of last month: but he is +yet in the morning and flower of his life; and +to look at him you might believe him to be less +than forty, by reason of his youthful carriage +and comeliness; and when he converses with +his inferiors, such as myself and others, who +have the happiness to call him our master, the +sweetness of his discourse and his discreet familiarity +expels every fear. And then, Sir! if you +could see him, (as I have often,) in his suit of +slashed velvet, or rich taffeta, you would be sure +he was bred at court; indeed, he is notable for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>his comportment and alluring person. Nevertheless, +I have sometimes seen him transported +beyond his usual behaviour: and I cannot help +me from smiling at a story of himself, I have +heard him relate to his friends.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I beseech you let us have it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Well, Sir! you are to know Mr. Cotton +will sometimes have a slight hindrance in +his speech; and so on a time he found a stout +beggar that sat under the great yew tree, near +to the door of the Hall; whereupon he asked +him, with an hesitation, ‘What—d-dost—d-do—here—f-friend?’—Now +it chanced the beggar +had the same infirmity of speech with noble Mr. +Cotton, but greater; so he began to stammer +in his answering, and make wry words and +looks; upon this, Mr. Cotton, thinking he +mocked at him, seized the man on a sudden, +and declared he was a sturdy rogue, and he +would teach him his manners, and have him +put in the flocks. Thereupon the other, in his +fright, could not but stut the more, seeing how +obnoxious he was to so fine a gentleman; till +at length Mr. Cotton, finding it to be a real +entanglement in the fellow’s speech, was all at +once mollified, and did humbly ask pardon for +his first severity; and after that fell a laughing, +and with pleasant persuasions called him into +<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>his house, and feasted him there, till the beggar +thought himself as g-great as a L-Lord.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Ah! ha! ha! a mighty pleasant +story.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I dare to think the beggar was not +the only guest at the Hall that has tasted of Mr. +Cotton’s good cheer.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, you are right; and I well remember, +when my master resolved to build the +fishing-house, and that Prospect Tower, that +you shall see to-morrow, he engaged a master +architect from the town of Nottingham, to see +that the stone-work was skilfully managed. +This was Mr. Lancelot Rolston,<a id='r28'></a><a href='#f28' class='c011'><sup>[28]</sup></a> a man of +solid abilities, and instructed in many arts; and +because he was of a fertile wit, and withal a +brother of the angle, Mr. Cotton held him to be, +as he always proved himself, a brave gentleman +and a scholar, and after a time, entered into a +familiarity with him, which hath continued to +this day:—but Sirs,—I humbly ask your pardon;—I +would not be thought to venture myself +on your civility, nor take too much of the conversation.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span><i>Painter.</i> Trust me, we think ourselves happy +in these testimonies of Mr. Cotton; but see, the +ale tarries with you; so fill your cup, and let us +hear further of Mr. Rolston.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Well then, Sir, as I told you, that architect +was often persuaded by Mr. Cotton to +come to him at Beresford; and I cannot doubt +was largely rewarded; and this was only reasonable, +seeing he was a famous man in these +parts, and above all a delicate limner. And so +it happened on a time, when he came all the +way from Nottingham to give order for the +works, that Mr. Cotton greatly desired his company +one day more at Beresford, that he might +finish some landskip pictures in the fishing-house. +This the other could not do with convenience to +himself, at that time; therefore he asked leave +to be gone after dinner. But Mr. Cotton did +so entertain his guest with good wine, and better +conversation, that the architect forgot, or would +not care for his journey, until the night was +come. Then Mr. Cotton told him how there +was no moonlight, and he might chance to break +his neck between this and Ashbourne, whither +his occasions called him, and endeavoured to +persuade him it would be more prudent to take +his bed at the Hall, and promised he might +depart early the next morning. But the other +<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>declared he was able to find his way by Hanson +Toot and Bentley Brook, though he were hoodwinked.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Well, Sirs, Mr. Cotton seeing him bent on +his dark journey, secretly desired his servants +should bring one of his own horses from the +stable; and when the architect mounted into +his saddle with alacrity, not seeing how he had +another man’s jennet, Mr. Cotton wished him a +good journey at the gate with a secret mirthful +composure. And so the other got to Ashbourne +and slept at the Talbot Inn; and on the morrow, +when the hostler brought him the nag, how was +he then astonished to find he had not his own +beast; and declared the man was not awake to +give him such a sorry jade. Then the other +humbly disabused him, and said, he knew the +horse these many a year, for it was noble Mr. +Cotton’s at Beresford Hall.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Bravely done: and what followed?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Then the architect began unwillingly +to perceive how my master had served him this +facetious turn; and because the exchange was +not to his advantage, he considered it was best +for him to come again to Beresford; and so he +did, as Mr. Cotton hoped he would: then +they laughed together at the innocent fraud +thus put upon him, and Mr. Rolston, being in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>a happy mood, set his thoughts to work, and +painted all that day, and the day after, in the +fishing-house, and contrived some natural imitations +of the rocks and other prospects thereabouts.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Excellent!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I doubt not the limnings are traced +with a dextrous freedom.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Aye, truly; and some ornaments of +his workmanship are there, which I hope to +make you welcome to, more worthy than the +landskips: for it chanced in the last summer, +when Mr. Izaak Walton passed some peaceful +days at Beresford, this artist rode thither from +Nottingham; and nothing would content my +master, but he must have Mr. Walton’s portraiture, +painted from the life in colours on +the pannel of the beaufet, opposite to the mantel +in the fishing-house. But Mr. Rolston declared, +with many protestations, he was not +skilful painter enough for such endeavours. +Thereupon a friendly contest arose between all +three; for Mr. Walton liked not the motion, +and was so modest as to insist that the fishing-house +should be better graced with the picture +of Mr. Cotton himself, who was the happy inventor +of it. Nevertheless my master would, +for this time, have his pleasure, and did entreat +<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>Mr. Walton to sit with an angler’s professed +patience, and suffer Mr. Rolston to paint his +likeness; and moreover, he promised he would +read them a book and converse the while. +And then he opened the beaufet, and said gaily; +Now, Sir, can you resist the temptation of ‘<i>The +Shepheards’ Oracles, delivered in certain Eglogues, +by Francis Quarles</i>?’ Whereupon Mr. +Walton replied, There you touch me nearly, +and I promise to sit and listen quietly, if you +will be pleased to read aloud <i>Canonicus’</i>, the +Shepheard’s, reproofs against the scismatical +<i>Anarchus</i>. That will I, (then my master said,) +but first I crave leave to entertain Mr. Rolston +with your friend John Marriott’s address to the +Reader; and he will not think it the less ingenious +when I make bold to declare that some +other pen than the Printer’s (then he looked +with a meaning at Mr. Walton) hath touched +the description of Francis Quarles, as he ‘walked +down towards the brook, furnished with all +proper angle rods, lines, and flyes.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I remember, he fell in with some +Arcadian shepheardesses, keeping the festival of +their great god Pan. Would I could repeat it, +for it is a sparkling allegory, especially suitable +to all fishermen.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, I have the book itself, locked up +<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>in this cabinet.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Indeed! then, I beseech you, let us +look into it, that my brother may judge whether +or no Mr. Walton had a hand in the composition +of that address to the Reader.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, here it is.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The ‘<span class='sc'>Shepheards’ Oracles</span>:’<a id='r29'></a><a href='#f29' class='c011'><sup>[29]</sup></a> +and look, brother, at this significant frontispiece, +engraved by W. M.; there is the tree of the +Church, that a mixed close-cropped rabble of +schismatics are picking and digging at, if by +any means they may uproot it from the earth. +And there is that man of a tub who has pierced +through and through the books of the Liturgy +and the Canons: and the Jesuit, with his +Roman knife, stripping the bark. But our +late pious king, with his sword and sceptre, +makes a rout of them, whilst the careful Bishop +holds the loved tree in his embrace, and nurtures +<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>the roots with the waters of sound doctrine.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And from above the sword of the +Spirit invincibly spread out to protect His church, +as if to say, ‘<i>I will contend with him that contends +with thee, and I will save thy children</i>.’<a id='r30'></a><a href='#f30' class='c011'><sup>[30]</sup></a> +But for the Printer’s address?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Listen. — — — After some notice +of the lamented death of Francis Quarles, the +reader is ‘<i>requested to fancy that the author +was walking a gentle pace on a summer’s morning +towards a brook, not far distant from his +peaceful habitation, fitted with angle, lines, +and flyes, proper for the fruitful month of +May, intending all diligence to beguile the timorous +trout; when he observed a more than +common concourse of shepheards, all bending their +unwearied steps towards a pleasant meadow +within his present prospect, and had his eyes +made more happy to behold two fair shepheardesses +strewing the foot paths with lillies +and lady-smocks, so newly gathered by their fair +hands that they yet smelt more sweet than the +morning, and immediately he met (attended with +Clora and Clorinda, I think were their names, +and many other wood nymphs,) the fair and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>virtuous Parthenia, who after a courteous salutation, +told him that the neighbour-shepheards +of that part of Arcadia had dedicated that day +to be kept holy to the honour of their great god +Pan; she told him also that Orpheus would be +there, and bring his harp, Pan his pipe, and +Titerus his oaten-reed to make music at the +feast; she therefore persuaded him not to lose, +but to change that day’s pleasure</i>.’ And (not +to detain you with the whole) you are to believe +this first acquaintance of the Author with +the single-hearted shepheards grew into a friendship; +and he would often ‘<i>rest himself among +them and their flocks feeding about them, in +the calm evening, as he returned from his river +recreations, and heard that discourse which +(with the Shepheards’ names) is presented in +these Eglogues</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Thus Mr. Walton was enticed to patience; +for my master knows his humour, and +is never so happy as when he can give him +pleasure.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And, if I may judge by these images +of rural life, Mr. Walton himself had some participation +in the address.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And doubtless he knew that he might +claim Francis Quarles for a worthy brother of +the angle.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span><i>Painter.</i> What would I not have given to +witness the freedom of those three contented +gentlemen in the fishing-house!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sirs, I would that you, who are so +great lovers of angling, had there seen the sweet +compliance and resignation of Mr. Walton: +his particular smiling gravity seasons all his actions, +and by little and little the limner became +so enamoured of his countenance that he +stamped his very image against the pannel of +the cabinet; yet all the while he professed he +could not manage it with truth to the original. +I well remember what a joy Mr. Cotton expressed +by his words and countenance, when +the portrait was finished, because he should +never be in want of a lively image of his ‘dear +adopted father.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And I may prophecy that the portraiture +of our excellent master will be cherished +for ages yet to come by all anglers, who may +gather from his lineaments the blessedness of a +peaceful spirit.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> After this was finished, Mr. Walton +declared he would have a reward for his conformableness, +and be permitted to take his recreation +by the river: and so it was agreed +that he and Mr. Cotton should have a bout of +fishing.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span><i>Angler.</i> Pr’ythee leave not a word untold of +his methods of angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Well, then, Sir! Mr. Cotton gave +order to his serving-boy to bring the rods and +fishing-harness from the Hall: and to work they +went. Then my master, seeing how Mr. Walton +silently busied himself in fixing a worm on the +arming of his hook, challenged him to fish with +the fly; whereat the other with his own smile +(that shews he hath no other season than a continual +spring within) answered him; ‘Nay, Sir, +I hope to catch more pounds of fish with my +brandlings before supper time, than you shall +do with all your choicest flies.’ To this Mr. +Cotton replied: ‘Say you so? Let that be a +match between us; hither boy! bring my +landing net and pannier, and let us down the +stream below the swifts.’ Then he desired I +would attend carefully on Mr. Walton; and +said, ‘Farewell Mr. Piscator, and look how you +put your angle to good use, for now you are +not on the banks of your Lea, but must fish +in clear Derbyshire streams:’ to which the +other returned him a pleasant nod of the head; +and all the while he had prepared his tackling, +without any noise, and dropped his line with a +sober mischievous look into the Pike Pool: then +seeing his quill to dip suddenly, he answered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>with a gaiety, ‘Anon, Sir! look you there;—for +I am certain I have a nabble.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> And true it was, for he hook’d a trout, +and, you may believe me, a big one.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I suspect he had an old acquaintance +with that pool.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> And he handled his fish with a singular +discretion, and then I landed him by his desire +in the net. No sooner did Mr. Cotton see this, +than he was suddenly resolved to be away, and +said: ‘Marry, Sir! that is an ill omen for my +match. Come, boy! the wind sets from this +bank, keep aloof from the stream:’ and with +that he went towards a choice part lower down, +where an angler, that is an artist, may scarce +miss his entertainment.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You waited then on Mr. Walton? +I am ready to envy you such a pleasure, and +the advantage of learning some of his devices in +angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Believe me, Sir, you would also love +to hear him discourse; for he proportions all he +says with a most pleasing contexture of grave +and cheerful things, and delights in contemplating +the beauty and order of the works of +God; and he naturally turns the thoughts of +his companions to the Great Architect, that +contrived the wonderful structure of them; persuading +<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>them to the belief that the most true, +and only secure, happiness is in virtue.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That is a cheerful industrious +Christian, who doth not lay up religion like a +suit, to be kept for holidays; but sucks divinity +out of every flower, and in a secret way turns +it into honey.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> And all the while he discourses, you +may see him handle his rod with a master’s +skill: and he has some commixture of oil and +gums, or other experimental artifices, that most +anglers have no knowledge of, to tempt the +trouts to his hook.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I have not a doubt it is that receipt +of his friend, Richard Roe, as given by Mr. +John Davors, in his <i>Secrets of Angling</i>; and I +can avouch that it is an excellent good one.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in10'><i>Would’st thou catch fish?</i></div> + <div class='line in10'><i>Then here’s thy wish;</i></div> + <div class='line in10'><i>Take this receipt</i></div> + <div class='line in10'><i>To anoint thy bait.</i></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Thou that desirest to fish with line and hook,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Be it in Poole, in River, or in Brook,</div> + <div class='line'>‘To blisse thy bait, and make the fish to bite,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Loe, here’s a means, if thou cans’t hit it right.</div> + <div class='line'>‘Take Gum of Life, fine beat, and laid to soak</div> + <div class='line'>‘In Oyle, well drawn from that which kills the Oak:</div> + <div class='line'>‘Fish where thou wilt, thou shalt have sport thy fill,</div> + <div class='line'>‘When twenty fail <span class='sc'>Thou</span> shalt be sure to kill.’</div> + <div class='line in32'><span class='sc'>Probatum.</span></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in12'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span><i>It’s perfect and good,</i></div> + <div class='line in12'><i>If well understood,</i></div> + <div class='line in12'><i>Else not to be told</i></div> + <div class='line in12'><i>For silver or gold.</i><a id='r31'></a><a href='#f31' class='c011'><sup>[31]</sup></a> R. R.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, I know not if this or any other +were his charm to tempt the fishes to his bait; +but having quickly landed his second trout, he +said, ‘We shall have no more present bites in +Pike Pool, seeing we have disturbed the water; +so come, Mr. Marsh, if you please, let us not +lose our time hereabouts, but try some other +parts, that we may win our match from the +skilful fly-fisher.’ After that he took a walk +higher up the stream to the fishing-house, and +shewed his trouts to Mr. Rolston, who was +still there to give some last touches to the portraiture. +Then he so persuasively entreated +the limner to paint him a trout in colours, on +one of the pannels, that the other could not find +it in his thoughts to refuse his request. But +Mr. Walton did not beguile his time in the +fishing-house; for he remembered how he was +to kill more fishes than Mr. Cotton, and so he +continued his industrious angling until my master +<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>returned again, a little before sunset, and +brought with him many brace of trouts. And +then Mr. Cotton said gaily, ‘My service to you, +good gentleman, most patient angler, what +have your brandlings done for you?—hast +caught any fish?—it is time to give over.’ To +this Mr. Walton replied, ‘Hold, Sir, but half a +minute, and I’ll tell you:’ for at that very time +he had hooked his last trout, and was playing +him; and indeed he managed him with such a +craftiness and would not give him a quiet moment +to himself, but forced him with a most +gentle violence up and down the stream, till he +was brought to the last extremity; in so much +that Mr. Cotton could not but applaud his skill, +when he saw the fish at his length languishing +on the bank. And after that, Mr. Rolston was +called from the fishing-house to be a judge of +the contest; and all the trouts were counted +out on the grass; but Mr. Walton’s fishes were +more than the other’s by some pounds in weight; +and so it was declared his bottom fishing had +won the match for him; and upon that they all +returned with merry hearts to the Hall. And +now, Gentlemen, it may be expected I should +ask your pardon, seeing I have occupied your +attention with this long discourse.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> We are greatly beholden to you for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>so pleasant a history.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And I am glad our walk to-morrow +will be along the banks of the river, and +that I am to see those choice limnings in the +fishing-house.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And now let’s to bed. Come, brother, +you and I will read a chapter out of Mr. Marsh’s +great Bible; and that will make our sleep the +sweeter, and not hinder our sport to-morrow.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is well thought, so do you choose +for us.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Where all are so exceeding good, +I shall not be long before I suit you. Here is +the 23d Psalm of King David, where he testifies +to the loving mercy of God, and how his +soul reposed in confidence, that He would be +near to comfort him, and sweeten all his trials. +Shall I read from that?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> By all means: for I am of the +opinion of St. Basil, that if all the other books +of Scripture could perish, that of the Psalms +would be a sufficient holy amulet to put to flight +the enemy of mankind; and I remember how +that Psalm begins—‘<i>The Lord is my Shepherd, +I shall not want: He maketh me to lie down +in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the +still waters.</i>’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i>——[Reads.]</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span><i>Painter.</i> How surprising high are the strains +of this joyful hymn, wherein David pours out +the breathings of his faith, which established +him the man after God’s own heart. No language +or thought can surpass those high celestial +eulogiums, which have been the prayers of +the church from age to age.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Yet was King David loved of his +‘Shepherd’ before he loved Him in return; as +holy Austin writes, ‘God crowns with acceptance +not our works, but the gifts of His own +grace.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And although David thought it his +highest privilege, ‘<i>to dwell in the house of the +Lord</i>;’ yet doubtless he looked further than +the sanctuary of Jerusalem to the courts of the +heavenly Zion, and to the eternal abiding of +spirits, glorified in the divine presence. For +surely the beatific sights and voices, vouchsafed +in after days to the beloved and holy John, +were not unknown to ‘the sweet singer of +Israel.’ He understood how the fold and pasturage +of his Shepherd did, after a spiritual sort, +foreshadow the final gathering of ‘Christ’s +sheep, that are now dispersed abroad in the +midst of this naughty world,’<a id='r32'></a><a href='#f32' class='c011'><sup>[32]</sup></a> into the folds of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>glory. And now, brother, let us betake ourselves +to rest, with King David, praising God for all +the health and other blessings we enjoy, which +are but as one drop out of that boundless ocean +of joy and treasure He will hereafter bestow for +a life of holiness. Good night.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>All.</i> Good night.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image093.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='c005 figcenter id002'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span> +<img src='images/image095a.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 id='III' class='c006'>CHAPTER III.<br> <i>The</i> Host <i>conducts the</i> Angler <i>and</i> Painter <i>to</i> Beresford Hall <i>and</i> Mr. Cotton’s <i>Fishing House on the River</i> Dove.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><i>Painter.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='c009'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage095b.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +So, brother, you are ‘stirring with +the lark.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye, Sir, I have been +wakeful this hour and past; and +because I heard you were a-bed, I sauntered out +awhile, that I might have the enjoyment of the +fresh morning.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And I’ll warrant, you wandered +down to the banks of the river, like a crane, to +look after fishes.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You have made a wrong guess for +this turn: because after a while I chanced to +find myself in the church-yard, and quietly +walked up and down.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Surely that was a sad employment!</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span><i>Angler.</i> Pensive, so please you, but not sad: +and there I met the sexton,—not ‘an ill willer +to human nature,’ but an honest good man, +who had the key of the church: and I have +seldom seen a country church more embellished +with rare carving and joiners’ work:—you may +believe me, it is quite unmatchable.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And Mr. Cotton’s family seat is +carved with delicate ornaments; and his armorial +bearings chiselled in oak, with a canopy +over head, in rich tracery work. Indeed, the +whole church, as the baptismal font, and chancel, +the pulpit and altar, and a lofty organ, all +worthy of those earlier and better ages, when +the same spirit pervaded the Church as possessed +the heart of Mary Magdalene, who bestowed +upon her loved Master that alabaster box of +ointment of spikenard, as the most precious testimony +of her reverence and affection. For +then mankind were of opinion that the houses +of God, dedicated to His service and worship, +were deserving of all the honour they could pay +to them, as being His temples who hath consecrated +the Church by His own blood.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> They were better times indeed.—Alas! +the day when the separatists of this nation +like the heathen of old, ‘<i>raged, and the people +<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>imagined a vain thing</i>!’ when ‘<i>the rulers took +counsel together against the Lord and against +His anointed</i>’—sad workers of pillage, who +defaced the sanctuary, stripped the altars, overturned +the holy fonts, broke the ornamental +paintings of the windows, and rich tracery work +in stone, made free booty of the sacramental plate, +and stabled their troopers even beneath the holy +vaulted roofs, which had wont to resound to +the voices of the choirs,—chaunting the praises +of God; but then, alas! made to re-echo their +unhallowed imprecations against all ordinances +and government.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But fear not, brother.—God is ever +with His Church; and hath He not said, ‘<i>I +will restore to you the years that the locust and +the cankerworm hath eaten</i>?’<a id='r33'></a><a href='#f33' class='c011'><sup>[33]</sup></a> Believe me, +a bright day of joy shall come, when our village +churches, and those fair stately ministers throughout +the land, and especially their daily services +and the appointed festivals, shall be restored +as in ancient times.——What! did not God +stir up the spirit of the heathen king of Persia +to cause His holy temple to be rebuilt after +the long captivity of His people in Babylon? +‘<i>Then Joshua and Jerubbabel, and their brethren +<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>builded the altar of the God of Israel, +and offered the</i> <span class='fss'>DAILY OFFERINGS</span>, <i>according +to the custom, as the duty of every day required, +and afterward the continual services +of all the</i> <span class='fss'>SET FEASTS THAT WERE CONSECRATED</span>.’<a id='r34'></a><a href='#f34' class='c011'><sup>[34]</sup></a> +Did the Spirit of God thus kindle +the affections of the Israelites ‘<i>as one man</i>?’ +And is His arm shortened that He cannot deliver? +Then I may never believe that our kings, +and the nobles and people of this christian land, +and her ‘<i>merchants and traffickers, who are +princes and the honourable of the earth</i>,’<a id='r35'></a><a href='#f35' class='c011'><sup>[35]</sup></a> will +ornament their own ceiled houses and tables +with the pride of gold and precious things, and +leave the temples of their master, who died for +them, ‘<i>as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in +a garden of cucumbers</i>.’<a id='r36'></a><a href='#f36' class='c011'><sup>[36]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I declare, dear brother, your fond +hopes make my heart burn within me; and I +will believe and pray that our altars and fonts, +and the holy sacraments, shall be established in +the affections of the people of England: and +this branch of the <span class='sc'>Catholic Church</span> spread +her shadowing influence far and near, and carry +forth our name and religion to the most distant +regions. Then may we see that oneness of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>church restored, which holy Ignatius speaks of, +when ‘<i>the Presbytery was so fitted together into +the Bishop as strings into a harp, and when +Jesus Christ was sung in unity of mind, and +the ancient one-voiced hymn of love was sung, +the people, man by man, being the harmonious +chorus</i>.’<a id='r37'></a><a href='#f37' class='c011'><sup>[37]</sup></a> But no more of this.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well then, tell me how you slept.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> To be honest, I was so weary after +our walk from Derby, I could not rouse myself +till mine host entered my chamber, and told me +you were up and drest.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well! do not mock at me, if I +confess I had many dreams glided into my +mind, concerning the Dove and that meek +master of angling, Mr. Izaak Walton. And +such was the confusion of my thoughts, I was +deluded into a belief that I went a-fishing with +him.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Went a-fishing in your dreams, with +Mr. Izaak Walton! that’s brave! an excellent +conceit!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is a truth; and yet by a strange +perversity I was ever detained on the opposite +side of the river from him; and as he looked +upon me with a benevolent aspect, his very +<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>garb and gesture were full of primitive composure.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Worthy disciple of a benevolent +master! And there you could peruse the very +dress and bearing of <span class='sc'>Piscator</span>, as you went a-fishing +with him. Oh! the mysteries of this +craft of angling! And did you converse nothing +with the serene old gentleman?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Sometimes I essayed to speak with +him, but he placed his finger on his lip, in token +of a mutual silence. Then I dreamed that he +caught a basket full of fishes with his worms, +and I meanwhile was not able to take one. +Whereupon methought I climbed a rock to +come at him, that I might have a part in his +recreation on the other side the river; but when +I would have struggled to go over the rock, +I was hindered by an invisible check; and +being in danger of falling, I attempted to call +out to him for assistance; but then my voice +faulted, and I could not persuade him to give +me an answer; for he would only beckon me to +silence by placing his finger on his lip.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Ah! ha! ha! And all the while +this meek master of anglers went on to ply his +art, and catch fishes, and now and then was so +condescending as to look upon you with a benevolent +aspect?</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span><i>Angler.</i> Nevertheless methought it uncivil in +him not to be more troubled to see me dangling +on the rock.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It was all because of his sweetness +and serenity; for doubt not he felt a pity for +your unpleasantness: and what other accidents +befell you in this pleasant dream of yours?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I was all in a confusion of thoughts; +sometimes I tangled my fishing-harness on the +branches of the trees; and after that a great +fish carried it all away with the top joint of +my rod, just as I thought to land him; then +again I found myself on the slippery sides of +Hanson Toot; and just as——but here comes +the host.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, your servant. I hope +you slept soundly, and found the beds to your +liking?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Excellent well: and pleasant dreams +to boot: for this gentleman——</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Hush! hush!——your ‘finger on +your lip.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I understand:—come, Mr. Marsh, +let us have a light breakfast, a morning cup of +barley wine, with a manchet or two, or an oaten +cake, and then for Beresford Hall, and Mr. +Cotton’s fishing-house. What are you for, +brother?</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span><i>Angler.</i> I care not if it be ale, or sweet whey +fresh from the cheese-vat, so you give me such +an oaten cake as we had yesterday.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, here they are at your service.—And +now, if it please you, I’ll be your +willing guide to Beresford Hall.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> If you are in earnest and your own +business will permit, we shall be greatly beholden +to you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> I have occasion towards Hartington; +and the Hall stands by the road.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I’m glad to hear it: so, by your +leave, we’ll light our pipes, and whiff a counterblast<a id='r38'></a><a href='#f38' class='c011'><sup>[38]</sup></a> +to King James, of peaceable memory. +Now, brother, ‘en avant;’ I am ready for as +many measures of Derbyshire miles as a reasonable, +courteous gentleman may challenge.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You are mettlesome betimes; and +we may chance to put you to the trial.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, two miles will suffice to bring us +<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>to the Hall; but I should first tell you there are +two ways; one is the coach road, and the other +a bridle-way through the Narrow Dale; and +this last is the shortest.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I incline to whichsoever Mr. Cotton +travels by, when he is on horseback, because +that was the road he took with <span class='sc'>Viator</span>, when +he pointed to the house, and said, ‘<i>This is now +like to be your inn for want of a better</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> If I may choose, let it be whichever +will give us the best prospect over Beresford Hall.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You are in the right, brother: I +yield me to your better opinion.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Well, then, Gentlemen, you shall both +have your desires, if you will take to the right +hand path, which leads to Narrow Dale.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Now we are out upon the hills, what +a spacious prospect is before us! and here’s a +sweet-scented morning, fit for honest anglers.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> But what a rocky barren place! and +what lines of stone walls, that have cost more +money to build than the land is worth!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Give me leave to tell you, Sir, the pasturage +hereabouts is very fertile; and you may +remember how Mr. Cotton declares ‘<i>these hills +breed and feed good beef and mutton</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye, and make the best cheese that +goes to Derby market.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span><i>Painter.</i> But you will not deny this to be a +lone country of moorish mountains, and no ornament +of woods to give them a relief?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Very true, Sir, when you are upon the +hills; but down in the dales and glens, and by +the banks of our trouty streams, I may undertake +to find you some rich landskips, so grown +over with shady sycamore, and all kinds of trees, +that you will not think it tedious to walk along +them.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And forget not, brother, these are +the very scenes, where the two great masters of +my art have loved to wile away their cheerful +hours, in the most excellent of all recreations, +and have been possessed with those happy +thoughts which they have recorded in the first +and second parts of the <i>Complete Angler</i>. And +so long as truth and virtuous inclinations have +any power to move the affections, their book +shall continue to be embalmed in the judgments +of men. Who that has read those pages can +wander on the banks of never-ceasing Dove, +where they have whispered their silent joys, or +tread the paths they have trod, linked in a generous +friendship, without some touch of a mutual +feeling! But come, Mr. Marsh, we are +ready to follow you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, so please you to turn down +<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>this lane; and now we are come to the top of +Narrow Dale, look through the opening of the +hills, and there is Beresford before you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> There, Sir, there! what say you now?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed, a goodly mansion in the +distance: and those mountains which bound +the prospect rise up with a natural variety, and +blend themselves into an harmonious landskip.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And does not ‘<i>the house stand prettily</i>?’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye, truly: and now, brother, as +we approach so near to the object of our happy +pilgrimage, I glow with a part of your zeal.—Forgive +me that I have been merry against +anglers, and couched my doubtful meaning beneath +some quips and quibbles. But now I +open my heart to you, that I may participate +in all your pleasures, and therefore do you guide +and govern me, for I am wholly yours.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And there’s my hand in testimony +that I return all your friendly thoughts: and +I doubt not you will be better entertained on a +nearer acquaintance with Beresford Hall.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> But, methinks, there is something +of a Tower.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay, I see it not.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> There, above the woods, to the +right of the mansion.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span><i>Angler.</i> At the top of the hill?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> The same; and it is called the Flambeaux +Tower.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is all a choice subject, therefore +give me leave to make a hasty design.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> In this, brother, you show your love +for me. And pr’ythee, mine host, is the Tower +of Mr. Cotton’s building?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Aye, Sir, and of free-stone, brought +from the quarry that lies a few miles off. But +I shall not here enlarge to particulars, because +a closer view will testify how it is done by the +clearest rules of order.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But wherefore the name of the Flambeaux +Tower?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, I am to tell you that is a fancy of +Mr. Cotton’s; for he will often ride a distance +from home, to visit the Earl of Devonshire at +Chatsworth, or to Haddon Hall, and other +great houses, that he may take the pastime of +hunting the red deer, and hawking, and such +like diversions, as gentlemen in England love +to exercise themselves in: so you may believe +he will sometimes return to the Hall by night.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Methinks he should be a skilful rider +to trust his neck over these precipices and hills +in the dark.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, you may trust my master’s well-bred +<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>steeds, and if you could but once see him +on horseback, you would have no fears about +him: for he has learned to ride the great horse +in the schools; and no bounds or faults can +move him. And when he is mounted for the +field, in his close doublet and large round hosen, +with his high boots, he is like a part of his horse, +and you would presently ask, ‘what noble cavalier +is yonder?’ and I have but this more to +say, when I was once in attendance upon him +at the Earl of Derby’s with his cast of hawks, +I heard the ‘<i>loyal Duke</i>’ of Newcastle,<a id='r39'></a><a href='#f39' class='c011'><sup>[39]</sup></a> that +excellent judge of horsemanship, declare before +a great company of gallants that he knew no +gentleman who carried himself more gracefully +in the manage of a horse than Mr. Cotton. +And thus it is, when he is expected home o’ +dark nights, my lady will cause the beacon to be +lighted at the top of the Tower, that he may +have a sure guide across the hills, and an early +<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>distant welcome to cheer him.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> A brave thought, and like the beautiful +Hero, in ancient story, when she waited +impatiently on the rocks for her Leander to +swim across the Hellespont, at a great hazard, +and only for the sweet short joy of breathing +out his love;—then she set up a blazing torch, +to be his guiding star through the darkness of +the night and the deep waves.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Indeed? now I see why Mr. Cotton +will sometimes call it his ‘<i>Hero’s Tower</i>!’<a id='r40'></a><a href='#f40' class='c011'><sup>[40]</sup></a> and +I was too unlearned to understand the reason +of it before; but this I know, there is none +<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>within the Hall but is ready to bid the master +welcome when he comes.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That I believe; and I remember +how <span class='sc'>Viator</span> says to Mr. Cotton; ‘<i>that your +meal is so soon ready is a sign your servants know +your certain hours</i>.’ No doubt, they attend +upon him with alacrity.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> It were strange else; and I would you +might see the gladness of the commonalty and +poorer sorts that live hereabouts, to have him +amongst them;—as on Sundays, when they +expect him at the church-door in Alstonfields, +at the fix’t hour of service; or on festivals and +holidays, when the young men and maidens +look for him to be a witness of their country +pastimes, and think their May-day games, and +Lamb-ale at sheep-shearing feasts, want half +their joyfulness, if any accident hinders him;—such +is their natural affection for his person. +But now, Gentlemen, we are to take this side +of the Narrow Dale, for in some parts it is +boggy and moory; you may see the path winds +by a moderate declivity; and now we are +come to the bottom, and here is Beresford +Lane; so we may pass under this row of ash trees +to the outer gate:——will you be pleased +to enter?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Surely this steep road was cut out +<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>of the rock, and here is a young wood about +it, which seems to be of Mr. Cotton’s own +planting.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Aye, Sir: for he loves the ornamental +art of planting gardens and orchards; nay, he +hath writ a book of instructions for the same, +and caused it to be printed in London.<a id='r41'></a><a href='#f41' class='c011'><sup>[41]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! I knew not he was author +of any book, save his <span class='sc'>Complete Angler</span>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, Mr. Cotton has produced various +compositions: and to say the truth, I know not +if angling or books have the greater charms +for his vacant hours. Some of his writings are +of a poetic cast, and there is one writ in praise +of His present Majesty;<a id='r42'></a><a href='#f42' class='c011'><sup>[42]</sup></a> and, as I have heard, +some useful histories have been Englished by +his pen out of the French tongue.<a id='r43'></a><a href='#f43' class='c011'><sup>[43]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And I cannot doubt his writings reflect +<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>the image of his ingenuous disposition, and +show his reverence for virtue.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I hope they do. If they could be +opposite to this—which I will not believe, unless +you can tell me of your own knowledge,—I +should wish that he had not composed them.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> And now, Gentlemen, this is Beresford +Hall before you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> On my word, a handsome mansion.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I did not think to find such a fair +house, so adorned with architecture: and what +a spacious garden, full of contrivances to please +the eye and plantations growing upon the rocks, +and those open shady groves and vistos!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Well, Sirs, I am proud to think it is +not behind your expectations.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It hath a choice mixture of natural +and composed beauties that I have not often +seen surpassed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> And within you will find every thing to +be worthy of so honourable a gentleman as my +master. By your leave, I’ll go and warn the +servants of your coming.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i>——Well, brother, what say you +to all this? I pray you look at the peaceful +walks underneath those yew trees and chesnuts.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And the structure and workmanship +<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>of the house are deserving of note: see you +the bear rampant carved in stone over the doorway?——but +the host returns.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, you have the liberty to +make yourselves welcome: will you please to +walk in, and a servant will attend you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> What a noble hall is here, wainscotted +and pannelled in oak, with handsome +furniture! Observe this mantel with the Cotton +arms carved in oak: and here the family +quarterings let into the lattice in ancient coloured +glass: and these high chairs and ebony +coffers.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Above all, some exceeding good +limnings, and doubtless portraitures?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, they are pictures of the family.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I pray you, whose is this of so noble +a mien?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> That is my master’s late father, Mr. +Charles Cotton the elder, of Ovingden, in the +county of Sussex, who died twenty years are +now past. And here is the portraiture of my +late mistress: she brought the mansion-house +and lands to the Cottons, in right of her mother, +who was a descendant of the noble family +of Beresford.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> What a sweet modesty of disposition +shines in every lineament of her face!</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span><i>Host.</i> You may believe me her look is but +the mirror of her mind; for such was the native +meekness, discretion, and innocence of Mistress +Olive Cotton, she was a pattern of women, and +loved by the poor and rich.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is the very image of candour: +and the effects of the colours are so true to life, +and the lights and shadows disposed with such +a knowledge of the art, it is plain they are +done by no less a hand than Sir Anthony Vandyke’s. +And who is this gentleman with his +hunting-dogs beside him, and a hooded hawk on +his wrist?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> That, Sir, is another of this honourable +family, and one who loved hunting and +fowling; he it was brought those antlers you see +on either side of the mantel-piece, from some +distant place in Ireland.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is painted in the manner of that +noted limner of Queen Elizabeth, Frederico +Zuchero; and I incline to believe it represents +the queen’s falconer in Ireland, when she commanded +Sir Henry Sydney, <i>her deputie of that +Realm</i>, to provide the Marquis of Savia, a nobleman +of Spaine, ‘<i>with hawkes, doggs, and +other such pleasures in exchange for certayne +perfumed gloves he presented to her Majesty, +much to her lyking and contentation</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span><i>Angler.</i> And mark these ancient spurs, hunting-horns, +and bits for bridles, and all kinds of +implements for the chase, hanging up by the +sides of the windows; and here a bundle of +falcons’ hoods, bells, and jesses.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Servant.</i> Sir, next to the diversion of angling, +my master loves falconry; and I have seen him +cast and reclaim his hawks as skilfully as the +best gentleman in the county. He entertained +a noble large company of falconers, it is now +three months past, and there were so many +hounds and horses they could scarcely be provided +withal. Nevertheless, my master rather +applies himself to the practice of angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That I believe: and here is every +kind of harness for fishing: fly rods and nets, +and spears for eels.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Servant.</i> So please you, Sir, on those two +pegs yonder you may see an old angle rod, that +my master lays great store by: it is roughly +made, but has killed a huge quantity of trouts +in its time; for it belongs to a worthy gentleman, +Mr. Izaak Walton.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Say you so?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Servant.</i> And I have many times seen him +with that spliced rod and a little bag of brandlings, +with a line and a float for bottom fishing, +fill a good sized pannier within a little distance +<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>from this, up and down Dove Dale.—Indeed, +it is wonderful to see his artful methods.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I perceive you are well acquainted +with his person.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Servant.</i> Sir! he is the most familiar of my +master’s friends: I have oftentimes waited upon +him a-fishing, when he has visited the Hall, +and hope to do so again; for there is none of +my master’s guests we are all so pleased to +serve; he is so condescending, and always thinks +himself obliged. We have a chamber that my +master calls ‘<i>Mr. Walton’s own chamber</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Indeed! I must tell you I profess +myself to be a scholar of his, and we call him +the father of anglers: may we, therefore, have +permission to see that apartment?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Servant.</i> With pleasure, Sir.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come, brother, have you done with +your admiration of those limnings? If you +please, we may pass on to see Mr. Walton’s +bed-chamber.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am ready to attend you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Servant.</i> This way, Gentlemen, to the great +staircase.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Lead on, and we will follow.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Servant.</i> Sirs, here is the chamber I told +you of.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I declare, a goodly apartment; and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>his bed with handsome coverlid and hangings: +and I observe three angels’ heads stamped on +the ceiling in relief.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> A fit emblem of the peaceful slumbers +of the innocent; and so, I am sure, are +Mr. Walton’s. And whose picture is that over +the mantel?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Servant.</i> That is my master, Sir; it was +painted at Court, and brought last summer from +London.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> What a lively expression of eye, and +a great sweetness in the lips!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Servant.</i> It is the very look of my master; +and I have heard say it was done by the king’s +painter, after the expressed desire of Mr. +Walton.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye, methought it was the touch +of Lely, who hath been so deservedly honoured +by his Majesty with the dignity of +knighthood.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And is celebrated by the best poets<a id='r44'></a><a href='#f44' class='c011'><sup>[44]</sup></a> +and wits of the age.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> This portraiture is so delicately +<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>limned, and the colours so admirable, it could +only be of a master’s hand.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Beseech you, brother, may not this +chamber deserve to be highly esteemed of all +anglers; think—here it was <span class='sc'>Viator</span> had his +lodgings, when Mr. Cotton brought him to his +house.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> There is the very bed where he was +promised ‘<i>sheets laid up in lavender</i>,’ and you +may be sure he had them.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And see the pannels of oak-wood +in figured patterns over the chimney.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is a rich work, and falls in with +the rest of the chamber: look at this fine cabinet +chiselled in oak and inlaid with paintings.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> And here again the lattice windows +set with the arms of Beresford and Cotton.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And whose crest is that? An eagle +with wings expanded, argent beaked and legged, +and holding in his dexter a belt azure!</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span><i>Host.</i> That is my master’s crest, and you +may see three cotton hanks for arms; that agrees +with the name.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> With a chevron azure between.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And a bear salient, sable armed +gules, muzzled and chain’d or.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> These are the Beresford arms: and +here the quarterings of the noble family of the +Stanhopes.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Stanhope, say you?—Quarterly ermine +and gules—How is that?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, you are to note, my late mistress +Olive, the mother of Mr. Cotton, was the +daughter of Sir John Stanhope, Knt. by the +heiress of Beresford.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I thank you; it is all of a piece, and +excellently finished.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, if I may be so bold to +remind you, we have many other things which +will entertain you for some hours—as the Flambeaux +Tower, and the Fishing House, and the +River.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> True; our present pleasing thoughts +had made us forgetful: but we are ready to +follow you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Then, if you please, we may descend +once more to the hall, and so into the garden.——And +now I will lead you by this rising +<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>ground to the Tower.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> What is here?—a handsome terrace +of grass, set round with a double row of trees.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> This is the bowling green: if you will +take the trouble to look over this parapet, you +may see a precipice some hundred feet deep.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is quite a gulph, but overgrown +with trees and briars. Here is a smooth ground +for bowls; and I remember <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> speaks +of this bowling green, and declares himself to +be ‘<i>no very great bowler</i>;’ but he says, ‘<i>I am +not so totally devoted to my own pleasure, but +that I have also some regard to other men’s</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> That was but his modest opinion of +himself; for I have seen him play and win great +matches at bowls and quoits, both here and on +Wolfscote Hill, which is a little distance on +the other side of the Dove. But here we have +the Prospect Tower: you may see how it stands +on the highest top of the rock, and within is an +ornamented summer room.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is a costly building, and in due +proportions of architecture.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then I beseech you deny me not a +picture, if it be but an outline,—only a memento.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am free to do your bidding. And +would you have those handsome stone steps and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>ballusters leading to the porch, and that stone +seat near the door?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye, so please you; and do not forget +some of those shady trees: but above all, +the beacon on the top, which has served his +beloved Hero to bring her Leander home, and +recalls the olden times of our forefathers: for +learned Mr. Lambarde,<a id='r45'></a><a href='#f45' class='c011'><sup>[45]</sup></a> in his Perambulation +of Kent, brings this word from the ‘Saxon +<i>Bechnian</i>, which is to call by signe, or <i>beck-on</i>, +when they were made of great stakkes of +wood, but were ordained by King Edward +the Third to be highe standards with their +pitch-pots,’ in the fashion you here see it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> ’Tis worthy of all my little skill: +an enchanting spot, and nothing neglected for +its adorning.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Was it built by merry Mr. Rolston?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> The same; and those smooth stones +were brought from the quarries of Sheen, some +miles off; and my master told him to do his +utmost; because his resolution was to have a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>little apartment for his own especial privateness, +where he might feast his eye with these prospects, +and so retired from the world, that no +one might interpose between him and the vein +of his thoughts. For he is so inclinable to +be in love with books, that he will sometimes +pass his day in a continual study.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I remember, in that poem prefixed +to his <span class='sc'>Complete Angler</span>, he says,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>‘Dear solitude, the soul’s best friend,</div> + <div class='line'>‘That man acquainted with himself dost make,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And all his Maker’s wonders to intend;</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘With thee I here converse at will,</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘And would be glad to do so still;</div> + <div class='line'>‘For it is thou alone that keep’st the soul awake.</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘How calm and quiet a delight</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘It is, alone,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘To read, and meditate and write,</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘By none offended, and offending none!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, it is a place, of all others, +where a man may create a phantastic world +around him, free from all the accidents of fortune. +And how tempered in our thoughts and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>wishes should we all be, if we could oftener +regale ourselves with such spiritual repasts of +study and contemplation! But come, I have +designed the tower in black and white; and +now let us within.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> This way, Sirs,—and so to the top. +Here is the beacon and the marks of the torchlights, +that have many a night guided my master +on his return to the Hall.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Look over this mirador, and see the +garden below embroidered with roses, and other +choicest plants and flowers.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is a little paradise: there is such +a concealed artfulness in these contrivances, as +makes them like a cultivated nature.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> This we use to call the garden of the +tower, and every flower and shrub hath been +planted and watered by the hand of his Countess.<a id='r46'></a><a href='#f46' class='c011'><sup>[46]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And here Mr. Cotton occupies many +hours with great pleasantness to himself, in writing +those histories you spoke of?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is not to be wondered at; for so +peaceful a spot might well kindle the thoughts +<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>of a less cheerful writer.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But look! what is yonder? a house +by the side of the river, in the shade of some +trees!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> That, Sir, is the <span class='sc'>Fishing-house</span>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And the Dove, ‘<i>that winds through +the vale like a snake</i>?’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> The same.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> What a sylvan prospect is here! I +am transported with the desire of a nearer view.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Say you so? then let us proceed +towards it; for I am no less impatient.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Well, Sirs, now you are come down +from the tower, I will bring you to the river, +along a by-path.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye, here it is, by the side of that +bench of stone underneath the chesnut trees: +but have a care, brother, or you may stumble +down.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> This way, so please you, Gentlemen; +by this unorderly path under the ash trees; but +look to your heels; for here are high rocks, and +somewhat difficult.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> So-ho! Mr. Marsh, I cannot hold +pace with you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Why what’s the matter, Brother?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Not so fast; I am like to tip +over.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span><i>Host.</i> Here, Sir, take my hand, and put your +foot on this root; so, you are safely down.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And here is the <span class='sc'>Dove</span>! as limpid as +the Heliconian springs!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Come, master, give over your ecstatics, +or clothe your thoughts in some poetic +lines.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Stay a while: for I see a little temple +before us, fit for the shrine of the muses.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> It is the <span class='sc'>Fishing-house</span>; and I have +brought the key, that you may go in and look +about you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then I beseech you unlock at once; +for I have a passionate desire to put my foot +into this retreat ‘<i>dedicated to anglers</i>!’ What +do you think of this, brother? ‘<i>is it not prettily +contrived?</i>’ mark the cipher carved in the +front, on the keystone of the door, which represents +the first letters of Mr. Walton’s and +Mr. Cotton’s names, underneath those inviting +words, <span class='sc'>Piscatoribus Sacrum</span>, 1674.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed a choice spot for a-fishing-house!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye, you see ‘<i>it stands in a kind of +peninsula</i>.’ And you may remember how Mr. +Cotton promised <span class='sc'>Viator</span>, he should see his +fishing-house ‘<i>upon the margin of one of the +finest rivers for trouts and grayling in England</i>.’ +<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>Mr. Walton’s name and his twisted in cipher +declare the near affinity of love between those +happy anglers.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> By and by I must make a draught +of this, for the neat building, and this grove of +trees, and the Dove, make it all a most engaging +landskip.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And now we could only desire one +thing more;—to enjoy the company of those +loving fishermen, and see them take their recreation, +and hear them sing together some choice +songs. But come, I am full of expectation for +what we may find within.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, the door is open!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> This is marvellously contrived: what +a delight for fishers! all the wainscoting covered +with landscapes, and cheerful anglers on the +banks of the river, sitting in the shade of rocks, +or casting their flies into the stream.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And fishes most delicately painted +on the oak wainscoting.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye, spotted trouts, and graylings +done to the life.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> And here are the portraits of Mr. +Walton and Mr. Cotton, on the pannels of the +beaufet.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And indeed very handsome and becoming +figures.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span><i>Host.</i> Nor could they be more resembling; +there is Mr. Walton in his ‘sad coloured suit,’ +leaning against a rock, who is now going to +bait his hooks; and Mr. Cotton has his fly rod +in his hand, and a waiting boy behind with his +landing net.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Is this the portrait of Mr. Walton, +designed by the gentleman architect from Nottingham?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> The same; then Mr. Rolston undertook +to paint this of Mr. Cotton, to be a companion +picture to him he loves so dearly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I declare I have never seen any +thing to please me more. They are worthy of +each other.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Dear brother! I dare not ask you +for what I now desire.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You may dare ask anything I can +pleasure you in.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> If you could make me a true copy of +all we see here, I would be the happiest man alive.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I shall do it willingly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is kindly spoke, and that I may +entice you to the work, I will read to you that +passage in Mr. Cotton’s book, where he brought +hither his happy companion.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Pr’ythee begin, and I’ll prepare the +while.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span><i>Angler.</i> Well then, you are to understand, +Mr. Cotton and his guest being up and drest +early the next morning, after their journey from +Derby, <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> said to his boy, ‘<i>Take the +key of my fishing-house and carry down these +two angle rods in the hall window thither with +my fish pannier, pouch, and landing net, and +stay you there till we come.</i>’ And then down +they went cheerily together, and a delicate +morning it was; and when they were arrived +at the door, <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> invited the other to walk +in, and there sit and talk as long as he pleased. +And <span class='sc'>Viator</span> declared he was ‘<i>more pleased +with this little house than any thing he ever +saw: it stands in a kind of peninsula too, with +a delicate clear river about it. I dare hardly +go in, lest I should not like it so well within as +without, but, by your leave, I’ll try. Why, +this is better and better, fine lights, fine wainscoted, +and all exceeding neat, with a marble +table and all in the middle.</i>’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Here is the very table made out of +fine black marble.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Taken from our Derbyshire pits, and +as you see, clearly polished, and all rounded at +the corners.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And these chairs, carved in oak, with +the handsome pavement in black and white, are +<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>all of a piece with the other ornaments.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> He was an exceeding skilful limner, +and worthy of Mr. Cotton’s friendship, that +painted these prospects and figures; for the +hills and rocks are to the very nature, and for +the portraits, they are not inferior to any artist +of this day; and it was a clear discerning taste +imagined all those ornamental fittings.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And so thought his happy guest, +<span class='sc'>Viator</span>; but Mr. Cotton civilly interrupted +his praises, and said, ‘<i>Enough, Sir, enough; I +have laid open to you the part where I can +worst defend myself, and now you attack me +there. Come, boy! set two chairs, and whilst +I am taking a pipe of tobacco, which is always +my breakfast, we will, if you please, talk of +something else</i>;’ and so these affable gentlemen +agreed to converse together about fly-fishing +in clear rivers: but first of all <span class='sc'>Viator</span> said to +Mr. Cotton, ‘<i>If you will lend me your steel, +I will light a pipe the while, for that is commonly +my breakfast in a morning too</i>:’ and +then down they sat, and <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> gave him +some instructions in making of artificial flies, +which I have read attentively, and I may declare +them to be worthy of all remembrance +and practice by every hopeful angler. And after +that away they went to the river for their amusement, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>and to try the flies they had themselves +twisted after nature.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And what then?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I think you need not be told that +they had good sport of trouts; and the stranger +proved himself to deserve the character Mr. +Walton gave of him in his first part of the +<span class='sc'>Complete Angler</span>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And pray what was that?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Why, Mr. Walton declared that he +was so suitable to his own humour, which is to +be free and pleasant, and civilly merry, that his +resolution was to hide nothing that he knew +from him. And I have no doubt Mr. Cotton +entertained the same opinion of him; and so they +fished the stream till the servant came to tell +them it was dinner time. And Mr. <span class='sc'>Viator</span> +was so allured with the sport, that the next +morning he longed to be at the river again; +and when he heard the wind sing in his chamber +window, could forbear no longer, but leapt +out of bed, and had just made an end of dressing +himself as Mr. Cotton came in to call him +up.——And now I will leave you to yourself; +only, I beseech you, as far as your patience +will allow you, represent all you see: yet I +would not be unreasonable.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am so in love with the place, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>that I hope to satisfy you in every particular; so +do you go and catch me a brace or two of trouts.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That I’ll do willingly, and when your +work is finished, come to me and you shall try +your luck too. And now, Mr. Marsh, you +and I will walk forth and look at the river; +good bye, brother, and remember this is to be +your masterpiece.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I’ll do my best to give you pleasure: +let me but find you with some trouts +when I come.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Doubt me not; farewell.——</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Now, Sir, will you please go higher up +the stream?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> With all my heart: but let me +untie my angle and line, that I may be ready: +and now what fly do you recommend? here is +a case, full of all sorts of my own making: +but I remember, Mr. Cotton says, ‘<i>they who +go to Rome, must do as they at Rome do</i>;’ and +as I have a certain sort of pride, and have no +mind to be laughed at by that satirical gentleman +in the fishing-house, I shall be glad to +make a good choice; and I dare say you know +the likings and dislikings of the trouts in the +Dove?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Well, Sir, I will not put on a false +modesty in that matter; and if you’ll let me see +<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>your case of flies, I may be able to find one or +two will make some execution.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Here they are.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Aye, indeed! Are these of your own +twisting? They are very skilfully done: nay, +Sir, Mr. Cotton himself could not tie them +better, and I am bold to say you are no stranger +to our Derbyshire streams?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is not my first season in the Dove +by many: and I know something of the Wye +and Derwent, and the clear Lathkill too.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Then, Sir, if you can fish in the +Lathkill, which is beyond all emulation the +brightest water in Derbyshire, and perhaps in +England, and breeds the reddest trouts, you +must be well skilled in the art; and so I might +take you to be from these flies, which for +a close imitation of the natural fly are quite +masterly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I see you would encourage me with +a little praise: but pr’ythee which do you recommend: +it is early in the season for a <span class='fss'>GREEN +DRAKE</span>, but here is the <span class='fss'>STONE FLY</span>: or would +you prefer the <span class='fss'>DUN CUT</span>?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sometimes I have known the <span class='fss'>GREEN +DRAKE</span> to appear before this, and you may depend +he will be out in a few days, for I have +examined the caddis and they are almost come +<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>to maturity; but you cannot have a better fly +than this <span class='fss'>DUN CUT</span>, and it is an excellent piece +of workmanship.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I’ll make the trial of it; and now +the wind is whistling, and the water curls merrily, +so let us begin.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> There, Sir, was a rise.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay, he came short; but there he +is again. I have him; so, so; now, Mr. Marsh, +for the net: ’twas well landed, and a fine fish +it is; but I have seen some in better season—ah! +there is another; methinks he’s yet bigger: +and now I come to look at him, he’s better fed: +and there’s a third! Well, this is a gamesome +river.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Indeed, Sir, you have a gentle wrist. +I wish Mr. Cotton could see you; he would +not part with you for some days; but would +entertain you with so many pleasures, that you +would be contented to remain at the Hall, and +almost forget yourself to be a stranger.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Would he were here!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Alas! I would he were with all my +heart.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I have the greatest desire possible +to see a gentleman endowed with so many accomplishments, +and of such a generous spirit. +But let us move upwards.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span><i>Host.</i> Aye, Sir; yonder, where the river +makes a bend, ’tis a deep water, and still; but +it is ruffled by a good breeze of wind, and you’ll +find some large trouts lie there.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Wherever you recommend. What +a green turfy walk is here! I could almost +envy Mr. Walton his angling with a float, to +sit on such a bank, and recline himself under +the shade of these trees: the grass is so well +mowed, ’tis as soft under foot as velvet, and +fit for a bowling ground.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sometimes Mr. Cotton and his friends +will have their pleasure here at bowls instead of +yonder by the Tower.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, it must take the work of some +labouring men to keep all this grass plot so +smooth, for there is near two acres of it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Yes, Sir, the gardeners have enough +to do: and this brings to my mind a story of +Mr. Cotton—but it is not worth your hearing.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I pray you let me have it whatever +it is.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Well, Sir, I need not tell you my +master is the farthest possible from an avaricious +man, for his hand and purse are open to +the poor; and he will always have his servants +well provided: but the cook is sometimes a +pinch-crust, and then the servants will grumble. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>Now it chanced one day, in the last summer, +as Mr. Cotton walked down this way to fish, +the mowers were cutting the grass badly, and +so he cried out to them, ‘How now, fellows! +what do you call this? a grass plot or a meadow +land? I pray you let me see it better +done, and smoothly.’ Thereupon they looked +at one another doubtingly, and whispered among +themselves: at length one that was known to +be something of a dry wit among them, after +some little persuasive winks and nods of the +others, came forward with his hat in his hand +to be their spokesman. Then in a very humble +tone, and with something of a facetious +look, which always takes with Mr. Cotton, +he said,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Little meat, and half enough,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Makes the scythe cut high and rough.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>So because Mr. Cotton has no austerity of behaviour +towards the lowest and poorest man +that speaks to him civilly, he enquired what his +meaning was, and then the truth came out. +‘Well, well, honest man,’ he replied, ‘go to +your work, and I’ll presently see to it.’ And +so he walked home to the Hall, and there he +made a rout at the cook, and ordered a servant +to take down provisions enough, and plenty; +and in the afternoon he found his rascals hard +<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>at work, bending lustily over their scythes. +Then he goes and looks at them; and then out +steps the poet with his hat in his hand as before, +and says to him,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Now we’ve meat, and some to spare,</div> + <div class='line'>‘It makes the scythe both wipe and pare,’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>meaning the grass should be cut smooth and +fine. So Mr. Cotton laughed at his rustical +wit, and said ‘go to—go to, thou art a wag;’ +and so he turned away, and took his recreation +a-fishing, and I am sure he was more entertained +than he chose to tell them.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> They are happy servants to be under +a master who is so accostable and sweet tempered.——But +here comes the gentleman from +the fishing-house.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> So, brother, what sport?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Excellent good. And how have you +sped?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Those paintings in the fishing-house +have detained me longer than I thought; but +I have done them with all the correctness I am +master of.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> A thousand thanks to you. But look +ye, a large fish has come to me: I have him +fast; now do you take the rod, and you shall +have the praise to kill this trout within view of +Mr. Cotton’s fishing-house.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span><i>Painter.</i> It may be the ill luck to lose one; +for I shall but bungle at him.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come, be persuaded, and quickly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, then, I’ll try a bout with +him. Ah me! what an unmannerly glutton +it is.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Point your rod high—keep him with +a steady hand; so—it is well done.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Ah me! how he struggles—there! +saw you that tumble he made? Shall I jerk +him out?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Oh, by no means; but have patience: +give him his play, and a little more line—so-ho! +that’s enough—hold up your rod—there, now +wind him up with a discretion, and we shall +bring him to land presently.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Where is the net?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I have it ready; fetch him round +hither.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> There was a tug he gave: I shall +lose him—beseech you take the rod again.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Pardon me, you shall have your +sport: worry him a bit: see how he lies on the +water—this way, and now you have him, as you +well deserve.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That was exceeding fine sport; I +never thought the pleasures of angling were so +great. I’m quite hot and confused. He is a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>handsome fish, spotted red all over. How many +have you taken?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Three trouts; but this last you have +so handled like a skilful ‘prentice in the art is +worth them all: it is a heavy fish, and see what +fine condition he’s in. You shall make another +trial lower down the stream, where the water +is in rapids. But before we go let me see your +paintings.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> There they are; and I was never +more in love with my employment, than when +I sat in the fishing-house, and saw Mr. Walton +and Mr. Cotton looking upon me from the doors +of the beaufet. I have endeavoured all I could, +(but in vain) to delineate honest Izaak, who +looks so meekly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay; it is an exact copy of yonder +portrait: what can be more winning than to +see his mute calmness, which only happy anglers +know! And Mr. Cotton, whose native disposition +shines in that mirthful countenance, which +can be no other than his own. What say you, +mine host, to this limning; hath my brother +caught Mr. Cotton’s look?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Aye, Sir, to the life:—indeed I confess +myself surprised how this gentleman hath +handled it. And so for Mr. Walton,—you +may now declare yourself to be acquainted +<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>with his person,—and garb, and gesture.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I hope you speak freely as you +think, and then I am satisfied; and here is the +external of the fishing-house, at a near view.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is all exceeding good; the lights +and shades of this inviting spot painted with a +perceptible truth.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And here is one more which is the +fishing-house within doors; and that, I must +say, is the best of all.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I protest this is even beyond yourself. +‘<i>Give me leave to embrace you.</i>’ Why, +Sir, it is a matchless piece of art. Look you, +Mr. Marsh, there we all are, as like as possible, +talking in the fishing-house.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> I have never seen such a natural +painting.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Come, come, Sirs;—you so enhance +my poor deserts, you make me blush,—indeed +you do.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I speak nothing more than the truth: +the colours are admirable, and the whole is +breathing with life—and there is the beaufet in +small—and the rocks and river, and contented +anglers sitting beside them:—every touch of +Mr. Rolston glowing with an equal vivacity. +I cannot thank you enough.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, brother, the pleasure you express +<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>is a full reward for all my pains. So, if +you please let us return towards those rocks we +passed in our way from the Prospect Tower.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Most willingly; and there it was I +had a purpose in my mind, to put you in the +way to catch another trout.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> But what have we yonder, opposite +to this bend of the stream? It seems a fantastical +place.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> That, Sirs, is a green recess, built up +by my master, where he will sometimes have +his friends to dine in summer, and now and +then give them a game of bowls for their entertainment +in the cool of the evening. You +may see the shelving sides are of soft mossy turf, +and made to lean upon at your length. I have +often been a witness to the innocent mirth of +Mr. Cotton when he has entertained his guests +underneath those trees;—as Mr. Alexander +Brome,<a id='r47'></a><a href='#f47' class='c011'><sup>[47]</sup></a> and Mr. Flatman, of the Inner Temple, +in London, and others. And I remember, +it is many years now past, (indeed it was that +memorable joyful year of the king’s return from +<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>his forced exile,) Mr. Walton sent my master +word, that he and their mutual friend, Mr. +Brome, chancing together to be in Stafford, +had challenged one the other to walk on pilgrimage +to Beresford, and make free with the +trouts in his river Dove. Well do I remember +the joy of my master, when he received the +letter: alas! methinks those happy days shall +never return.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, Mr. Marsh: it is the permitted +liberty of an honest reason to ‘<i>hope all +things</i>;’ fortune will sometimes flout the best +of men, and lead them forcibly through all sorts +of contrary meanders and labyrinths; but she +can never deject the spirits of brave christian +men.<a id='r48'></a><a href='#f48' class='c011'><sup>[48]</sup></a> I beseech you entertain more cheerful +<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>thoughts: and did the introduction of Mr. +Brome follow this self-invitation of the Stafford +pilgrims?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Aye, Sir: and Mr. Thomas Flatman +chanced at the time to be a guest at the Hall, +a most ingenious and alluring companion, who, +as I have heard my master jocosely say, was the +happy accepted lover of two mistresses.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And yet, methinks, in his younger +days, he wrote a ballad against the peaceable +joys of matrimony.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Mr. Cotton jested merrily with his +friend, well knowing how at once he woo’d the +sister arts of Poesy and Painting:<a id='r49'></a><a href='#f49' class='c011'><sup>[49]</sup></a> and, indeed, +so evenly divided his affections between them, +that it may be doubted to which he paid most +successful courtship.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span><i>Host.</i> Well, Sir, when the message came +from Mr. Walton, my master and Mr. Flatman +could scarce express the happy thoughts +that possessed them; only this I may say, every +hour seemed to be an age till the arrival of +their friends; and the servants in the house +participated in the busy expectation of their +coming; and Mr. Walton’s lodging chamber, +and one for Mr. Brome were prepared. Then +at length these friends had the happiness to embrace +each other; and seeing it was in the heat +of summer, Mr. Cotton brought them, after +dinner, to this recess, and there entertained +them with pipes, and fruits, and wine; and +because it was soon after the king’s happy and +glorious recovery of his throne, they sung some +loyal songs, and drank the king’s health in old +Canary.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It was worthy of honest cavaliers; +and who is there would not gladly have joined +in such a merry-making?</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>‘Oh how happy was their leisure,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Oh how innocent their pleasure!</div> + <div class='line'>‘Oh ye vallies, oh ye mountains,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Oh ye groves and crystal fountains!</div> + <div class='line'>‘How they loved <i>to visit ye,</i></div> + <div class='line'><i>‘And toast the king at liberty</i>.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>Think, what a happy concurrence of four poets! +Methinks I now see them, seated round this +stone table, beneath the shadowy sycamore-trees +and elms.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Four poets, say you? Thou hast +a creative fancy; for Mr. Walton was but a +writer of prose; notwithstanding, I am ready to +grant his images of rural life are as poetical as +any in our language, and his <span class='sc'>Compleat Angler</span> +a continued pastoral, abounding in natural +refinement—nay, equal to those of Phineas +Fletcher<a id='r50'></a><a href='#f50' class='c011'><sup>[50]</sup></a> or Michael Drayton.<a id='r51'></a><a href='#f51' class='c011'><sup>[51]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Doubt not, Sir, that Mr. Walton +may claim his niche in the Temple of the Muses: +<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>and indeed, of all those who sung joyful quartettos +that day within this recess, he had as clear +a title as any to be crowned with the bays of +Parnassus: for when you read, as I hope you +will do, the ingenious poems of loyal Mr. Brome, +you will find in the prefix of friendly encomiums +bestowed upon it, a most joyous eclogue of Damon +and Dorus, and writ by Mr. Walton that +very day of the King’s Majestie’s restoration; +indeed, I cannot give it a higher testimony of +praise than that it is worthy of his fertile pen; +and thus it begins;</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in16'><i>Damon.</i></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Hail happy day! Dorus, sit down;</div> + <div class='line'>‘Now let no sigh, nor let no frown,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Lodge near thy heart nor on thy brow:</div> + <div class='line'>‘The King! the King’s return’d! and now</div> + <div class='line'>‘Let’s banish all sad thoughts, and sing</div> + <div class='line'>‘We have our laws, and have our King.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in16'><i>Dorus.</i></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘’Tis true, and I would sing, but oh!</div> + <div class='line'>‘These wars have sunk my heart so low,</div> + <div class='line'>‘’Twill not be raised.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in16'><i>Damon.</i></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in14'>‘What—not this day?</div> + <div class='line'>‘Why, ’tis <i>the twenty-ninth of May</i>:</div> + <div class='line'>‘Let rebels’ spirits sink; let those</div> + <div class='line'>‘That like the Goths and Vandals rose</div> + <div class='line'>‘To ruin families, and bring</div> + <div class='line'>‘Contempt on our Church and King,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>‘And all that’s dear to us,—be sad;</div> + <div class='line'>‘But be not thou; let us be glad.</div> + <div class='line'>‘Yea, let us dance, shake hands, and sing</div> + <div class='line'>‘We have our laws: <span class='sc'>God save the King</span>.’<a id='r52'></a><a href='#f52' class='c011'><sup>[52]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line in32'><i>Iz. Walton.</i></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I say Amen: and may we always +‘<i>have our laws and have our King</i>!’ and now +let us walk higher up the stream, which may +vie with the poetic Castalia as the happy resort +of the Muses.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, you will find the river very +pleasant below, and when you are across the +bridge by that rock, not many steps past the +fishing-house, you will suddenly find yourselves +in Derbyshire.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I am ready for any thing, where all +is so full of pleasure.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> And now that we are come to it, so +please you, I’ll take my leave, for I have business +at Hartington: and here is the wallet with +a store of provisions for dinner; and so, Gentlemen, +my humble service to you; I wish you +good luck a-fishing.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Farewell.—Now, Brother, let us +cross to the other side into Derbyshire, for so +<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>Mr. Cotton did with his friend <span class='sc'>Viator</span>, and +promised ‘<i>a good fish should fall to his share</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I pray you stay yet a moment within +this prospect, for I am wholly possessed with +some peaceful thoughts, that I would not drive +away for any recreation you can promise me. +There is a murmur of the waters over that +ledge of rock, which keeps time with a musical +measure, and invites us to linger on the margin.—Think +how many thousand years the Dove +has flowed along this rocky dale, and shall flow +for ages yet to come. So God provides for the +sustaining of His works;—‘<i>He sendeth the +springs into the valleys—He watereth the hills +from His chambers.</i>’<a id='r53'></a><a href='#f53' class='c011'><sup>[53]</sup></a> And as the River is +to the natural world, so is the <span class='sc'>Church</span> to <span class='sc'>God’s</span> +spiritual people on earth. In the first beginnings +flowing from the fountain of the precious +blood of His own eternal <span class='sc'>Son</span>:—alas! a little +despised stream that burst forth from Calvary; +but destined by His mysterious will to flow +through the world, gathering into herself and +purifying all the tributary branches to swell her +into an unknown dignity and grandeur.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And who can express the blessings +she hath imparted to the nations by her administration +<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>of holy sacraments, and united worship, +according to the inspired oracles, moulding +her children, after the pattern of their Saviour, +in innocency and love. Think of the happy +multitudes who have been warned in her sacramental +element, as the appointed laver of regeneration! +Think how her ordinances and harmonious +doctrines, her ministry and her creeds, +founded by the holy apostles, have been the +sufficient cure of all heartaches and corroding +cares, the refuge of all unquietness, and the very +bond of unity to all Catholic Christians scattered +over the world!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And as she hath proceeded onwards +from the distant apostolic ages, bearing the image +of Christ, so she will continue to be the mother +of all, who are baptized into His death.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And notwithstanding profane seceders, +turning to their own inventions, shall fall +away, and vainly hope to stop her course, and +sully the purity of her streams; still the promise +is sure, and she shall flow on with her unceasing +tide, until at last she shall pour all her collected +waters into the boundless ocean of eternity.——But +come, let us pursue our quiet walks; +for I verily believe there is nothing in all this +to forbid poor creatures of the earth taking their +innocent enjoyment. Indeed, all these visible +<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>beauties of nature are but sweet expressions of +the divine mind, that we should rejoice in Him +who hath created them. But remember, when +the wisest of men says, ‘<i>go thy way, eat thy +bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a +merry heart</i>,’<a id='r54'></a><a href='#f54' class='c011'><sup>[54]</sup></a> he adds, ‘<i>it is the gift of God</i>,’ +whereof we shall one day give an account. And +now I am ready to accompany you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Come, then, for I have a great desire +to make my large trout a brace, so let us to +our angles.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Look you, Brother, here I have a +second angle rod, that we may both fish in +company; now say, whether it shall be a fly +or a worm? You are at liberty to make a +choice.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Not a doubt, but a worm and a +quill for me.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay, nay, let me persuade you to +be a fly-fisher; assure yourself it is a delicate +sport, worthy of an ingenious artist as you are; +and all anglers are agreed that it is the pleasantest +and most skilful way to deceive trouts.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I will not lose time in arguments; +but remit you to honest Izaak Walton, that is +henceforth my master of angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span><i>Angler.</i> As you will: here is your tackling; +and now you are fitted; so let us go over the +bridge, that we may follow Mr. Cotton’s footsteps; +for be sure he must know the likeliest +holes in his own river. And he said to his +companion, ‘<i>You shall now go downward to +some streams between the rocks, below the little +foot bridge you see there, and try your fortune. +Take heed of slipping into the water as you follow +me under the rock.</i>’ That is the very spot +where you now stand.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> He must be an unhandy clown, +that should slip, for there is room enough, and +to spare.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, this is the spot where he advised +<span class='sc'>Viator</span> to throw in; to which the other +replied: ‘<i>This is a fine stream indeed! There +is one—I have him.</i>’</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘<i>And a precious catch you have of him</i>,’ answered +Mr. Cotton, ‘<i>pull him out! I see you +have a tender hand. This is a diminutive gentleman, +even throw him in again and let him +grow till he be more worthy your anger.</i>’</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘<i>Pardon me, Sir</i>,’ (then said <span class='sc'>Viator</span>) ‘<i>all’s +fish that comes to the hook with me now</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Bravely resolved; and I declare I +mean to follow this example, if I have permission +to do so.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span><i>Angler.</i> You shall do as you list. Only ‘<i>fish +me this stream by inches</i>,’ after Mr. Cotton’s +instructions.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> With all my heart, and I am so +much in love with his river and his instructions, +that I scarce know which to think the +best.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well then, to make you love them +both the more, you are to understand <span class='sc'>Viator</span> +caught another and another. After that <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> +invited him ‘<i>to go down the other side, +lower, where you will find finer streams and +better sport, I hope, than this</i>;’ so let us do +the same.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Wherever you please.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Now we are over the bridge and +into the Peak of Derbyshire; and here it was +the ingenious fishers pleased themselves and +each other with a discourse on angling: and +thought their recreation was innocent, as being +an encourager of cheerfulness, patience, and +brotherly kindness. So do you begin; but keep +at your distance, lest the fishes see you, before +you get a glimpse of them; for you are to remember +the Dove is one of the clearest rivers +in all England. Now let your quill go with +the stream by the bank yonder, for hereabouts +it was <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> assured him, there were very +<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>good fish; ‘<i>both trout and grayling lie here; +and at that</i> <span class='fss'>GREAT STONE</span> <i>on the other side, +’tis ten to one a good trout gives you the +meeting</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Then I’ll offer him all the temptation +I can. Ah! saw you that, Mr. Angler, +my quill went under the water;—and there +again!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I pray you be quiet:—now strike, +but as Mr. Cotton says, ‘<i>with moderation</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> So, I have him tight.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Be gentle; he is gone, as I feared.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> ’Twas my hastiness! I incautiously +strained at him: but you shall find me manage +the next with greater skill.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Trust me, you have your lesson to +learn; for angling is no less an art than a pleasure, +and one that requires both patience and +skill.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That I plainly see: but I have +baited my hook again: and there is another +pulling at my worm. Now, if I do not vex +him, call me no fisherman: aye, aye, master, +you may plunge and shift as you will; but I +hold you now.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Have a care, for he is a fine one.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Fear me not; you shall see the +manner of my handling: but there! he has +<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>thrown off into the middle of the stream; how +he dives and plucks about! I hope he will not +demolish my tackle.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, then, do not tear him about +too much.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> What a rage he is in! so, so—he +begins to sicken. Where’s the net?—thank +you—we have him. Now, Sirrah: where are +you? I declare he is as big as the other I +caught up yonder. And now, brother, that I +may not hinder you, leave me here alone, with +my angle rod; and I beseech you let me have +that pleasant book, which Mr. Walton and Mr. +Cotton have printed together, with a love so +communicable; that while I recline on this +bank, I may remember how they have often +done the same thing: and it may be I will leave +my angle rod for a time, ‘to fish for itself,’ and +make a landskip; for look how pleasantly the +Prospect Tower hangs over our heads: and I +am sure that rock is a hundred feet high; and +is crowned with oak and ash trees, that grow +in all the crevices.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> There are many passages of rare +beauty in all this glade; and since you are so +disposed, I will invite you to that rising ground, +and there you shall design the fishing-house, +and the Tower on the rock, so as I may have a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>combination of those two with the bridge, and +all the river and the craggy sides. It will be a +choice prospect!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You are right, and it shall be done +to the best of my abilities; but I’ll lay my angle +in the river, near to that ‘<i>great stone</i>’, so that +I may have my chance of a trout whilst I’m at +work.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And because you leave your angle +for my sake, I will read some passages out of +Mr. Walton’s <span class='sc'>Complete Angler</span> for your +entertainment before I begin fishing. Here—is +not this a favourable spot?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye: come, let us sit on this grass, +that smells so sweetly of wild flowers; and do +you make a choice out of Mr. Walton’s book.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, then, you may remember, +that on a time, in a cheerful morning in the +month of May, <span class='sc'>Venator</span>, a huntsman, walked +out towards Hodsden, (that is a country village +not many miles from London,) where he had +appointed a friend or two to meet him, that they +might bestow a day on hunting the otter. Then, +by the way, he fell into the company of a Gentleman +Falconer, and as these were come together +to Tottenham Cross, in Hertfordshire, Mr. +Walton overtook them: so, after his own civil +manner he accosted the strangers, and asked of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>their journey and occasions, saying, ‘You are +well overtaken, gentlemen, a good morning to +you both. I have stretched my legs up Tottenham +Hill to overtake you, hoping your +business may occasion you towards Ware, +whither I am going this fine fresh May morning.’ +Now, Mr. Walton possesses that benignity +of spirit, and such a winning method of +discourse, that you may easily believe ‘he made +the way seem shorter’ by his good company.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> He should be a pattern of cheerful +gravity, or he has, I know not what, artifice +to make himself appear so, since his writings +betoken so many endowments of native gentleness.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But that it is no artifice I may take +upon me to declare, and to say the truth, an +inbred sweetness and compliance are notable, +both in his look and words; insomuch that +<span class='sc'>Auceps</span>, the falconer, on his first acquaintance, +took the liberty to say: ‘Methinks, Sir, we may +promise good discourse from you that both +look and speak so cheerfully.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Then after those polite salutations +they were all inclinable to travel pleasantly towards +Ware?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And as they walked and conversed, +they praised their several recreations: and first, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>Mr. <span class='sc'>Auceps</span>, the falconer, exercised their attention +concerning the element he used to trade +in, which was the air; and he would fain make +it clear, that this was ‘an element that exceeds +both the earth and water; and, though I sometimes +deal in both,’ (this is what Mr. <span class='sc'>Auceps</span> +said) ‘yet the air is most properly mine; I and +my hawks use that most, and it yields us most +recreation; it stops not the soaring of my +noble, generous falcon; in it she ascends to +such a height as the dull eyes of beasts and +fish are not able to reach to; their bodies are +too gross for such high elevations: in the air +my troops of hawks soar up on high, and +when they are lost in the sight of men, then +they attend upon and converse with the gods; +therefore I think my eagle is so justly styled +<i>Jove’s servant in ordinary</i>: and that very falcon, +that I am now going to see, deserves no +meaner a title, for she usually in her flight +endangers herself, like the son of Dædalus, +to have her wings scorched by the sun’s heat, +she flies so near it: but her mettle makes her +careless of danger; for she then heeds nothing, +but makes her nimble pinions cut the fluid +air, and so makes her highway over the +steepest mountains and deepest rivers, and in +her glorious career looks with contempt upon +<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>those high steeples and magnificent palaces +which we adore and wonder at; from which +height I can make her to descend by a word +from my mouth (which she both knows and +obeys) to accept of meat from my hand, to +own me for her master, to go home with me, +and be willing the next day to afford me the +like recreation.’ Now, is not that a cheerful +description? and, that I may not be thought +immoderate, I will omit many passages; but I +beseech you listen to the praises that Mr. Falconer +makes of ‘those little nimble musicians +of the air, that warble forth their curious ditties, +with which nature hath furnished them +to the shame of art. As first the lark, when +she means to rejoice; to cheer herself and +those that hear her; she then quits the earth, +and sings as she ascends higher into the air, +and having ended her heavenly employment, +grows then mute and sad, to think she must +descend to the dull earth, which she would not +touch, but for necessity.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye! ‘grows then mute and sad +to think she must descend to the dull earth!’ +How natural that is! Mr. Walton’s words are +more musical than the song of the lark—and +his strains higher than her aerial flight, for they +bring you nearer to thoughts of heaven.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span><i>Angler.</i> Then he proceeds: ‘How do the +blackbird and throssel with their melodious +voices bid welcome to the cheerful Spring, +and in their fixed mouths warble forth such +ditties as no art or instrument can reach to! +Nay, the smaller birds also do the like, in +their particular seasons, as, namely, the leverock, +the titlark, the little linnet, and the +honest robin, that loves mankind both alive +and dead.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Beautiful! ‘the honest robin that +loves mankind both alive and dead;’ that has +an allusion to the ballad of the Babes in the +Wood, a sad and simple history that so mightily +touches the affections of children.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘These pretty babes, with hand in hand,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Went wandering up and downe,</div> + <div class='line'>But never more could see the man</div> + <div class='line in2'>Approaching from the towne.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Their prettye lippes with blackberries</div> + <div class='line in2'>Were all besmear’d and dyed,</div> + <div class='line'>And when they saw the darksome night</div> + <div class='line in2'>They sat them downe and cryed.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Thus wandered these two little babes</div> + <div class='line in2'>Till death did end their grief,</div> + <div class='line'>In one another’s arms they dyed</div> + <div class='line in2'>As babes wanting reliefe.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘No burial this pretty pair</div> + <div class='line in2'>Of any man receives,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>Till Robin red-breast painfully</div> + <div class='line in2'>Did cover them with leaves.’<a id='r55'></a><a href='#f55' class='c011'><sup>[55]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>Stop, dear brother; for I would not have you +to mar those passages you have now cited out of +Mr. Walton by some that are worse.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Listen to one more, and I have done. +‘But the nightingale, another of my airy creatures, +breathes such sweet loud music out of +her little instrumental throat, that it might +make mankind to think miracles are not +ceased. He that at midnight, when the very +labourer sleeps securely, should hear, as I have +very often, the clear airs, the sweet descants, +the natural rising and falling, the doubling and +redoubling of her voice, might well be lifted +above earth, and say, Lord, what music hast +thou provided for the saints in heaven, when +thou affordest bad men such music on earth!’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I now remember that description: +it is beyond my praise;—it is all music together, +and I declare to you, I know not which I am +most in love with—the song of the nightingale, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>or the meek penman who hath set that song to +such music.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I told you the writings of Mr. Walton +have a power to unlock the affections; +and I am so bold as to assure you, that many +men I could name, who mocked at fishers and +fishing, before they had perused the <span class='sc'>Complete +Angler</span>, have been moved to practise his art +by the persuasive arguments they have found +in it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That I can believe, and for my +part I am almost brought to wish myself a Falconer +by these testimonies which <span class='sc'>Auceps</span> hath +adduced to the praise of his ‘noble, generous +hawks, and those little nimble musicians of +the air.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Stay a while, till I bring before you +what the merry huntsman had to say for his +recreation; and after that the commendations +Mr. Walton bestows on the greater excellency +of his own happy art of angling. But now I +perceive you have made an outline of this landskip, +so let us go down to the lower streams of +the river, where I have something better to +show you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am not willing to doubt any thing +you say: but what can you find more full of +beauty than these landskips hereabouts?</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span><i>Angler.</i> Of that I shall give you leave to +judge when I have brought you to a spot will +enchant you; and there you may be sure to +catch a good fish.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well then, let us be doing; and +now I think it is time to repair to my angle, +that I left in the water to fish for itself.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> There it is, and so take it up.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How now!—my worm and hook +both gone!—Look you!—and it may be I have +lost a good trout, whilst I was charmed with +those song-birds, that sung so sweetly out of Mr. +Walton’s aviary.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Never mind,—you shall presently +‘<i>try a fall</i>’ with another; and pray take notice, +that trout was not lost, for quiet Mr. Walton +says, ‘no man can lose what he never had.’ +Ah! ha! saw you that fish?—he rose just +above yonder great stone on the other side. If +I have any luck, I shall land him presently.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You have cast your fly in the very +spot; and there!—look——there he is again.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I have him fast.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> See—what a summersault he made!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> He should be a trout from his nimbleness, +and a plumper too.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I beseech you handle him like an +artist—here is the net and all ready—haul him in.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span><i>Angler.</i> Not so fast—not so fast, brother—let +him have his time.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> There again! saw you that leap he +gave? By my word you have the right knack.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Now you observe he has a running +line—and now I may bring him up again—so, +so—he has done his worst—now fetch the net; +but if you love me, manage him with a prudent +hand; so, you performed it handsomely; and a +fine fish he is: come, let us go down to <span class='sc'>Pike +Pool</span>. I know not how it may fare with you;—but +methinks it should be near to dinnertime.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> In plain truth I am well disposed to +play my part at that.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Away then by this bank, where the +stream becomes broader. See how it hurries by +that bed of rock with a loud murmuring.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How now! there is a rock in the +river like a church steeple, and forty feet +high!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That is the <span class='sc'>Pike Pool</span> you have +heard of.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Say you so? what a spot of solitude +is here!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Now tell me is not this a charming +nook for a recluse angler? But here we must +make our passage once more into Staffordshire, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>by these cobble stones, that we may come to +the margin of the <span class='sc'>Pool</span>; for you see we are +stopped on this side by the rocks.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am willing to follow you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Look well to your footing, and give +me the wallet; for I fear you will let that drop +into the water, and now your hand—so—</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> We are well over; and of all +places I have seen, this is surpassing in beauty. +Surely it is a rocky dell, that is worthy of a +poet’s praise: now if Petrarch had sung of his +Laura by these rocks, they would be thought +as fine as Vaucluse; and this stream as bright +and nimble as the Sorga itself, which I was +once happy enough to visit as I passed by Avignon +towards Italy: and was permitted the leisure +to sketch some imperfect limnings of the +strangely shaped and rugged rocks, from which +the mysterious fount of the river gushes into +daylight. It is true I may not boast to have +caught my brace of trouts in its limpid streams; +but I tasted some skilfully drest by the civil hostess +of the village inn that is called after the +name of the Poet. Oh Sir, if you had there +been the companion of my prolonged wanderings, +with what delight should we have perused +together those unimitable poems of Petrarch! +And do you recollect, how he says,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>‘L’acque parlan d’amore, e l’aura e i rami</div> + <div class='line'>‘E gli augeletti, e i pesci, e i fiori, e l’erba,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Tutti insieme pregando ch’io sempr’ami.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I remember the lines. And be it +known to you, Petrarcha was himself a brother +of the angle.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, Sir, your authority for this? +I grant you, the impassioned poet might grave +the name of his Laura on the hard rocks, or +picture to his imagination her beautiful image +reflected in the deep clear caverns of the river;</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Or in forma di Ninfa or d’altra Diva</div> + <div class='line'>‘Che dal più chiaro fondo di Sorga esca</div> + <div class='line'>‘E pongasi a sedere in su la riva:’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>but I cannot be persuaded to believe that so +hopeless a lover could be a happy angler. He +that was the most learned of his age, and Poet +Laureat crowned with the triple garland at +Rome, an angler!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Happy or unhappy—learned or unlearned—I +may tell you he was a fisher;—and +be these lines my witness, which you may find +in his latin works;</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Retia nunc sunt arma mihi, et labyrinthius error</div> + <div class='line'>‘Vimineâ contextus acu; qui pervius undis</div> + <div class='line'>‘Piscibus est carcer, nullâ remeabilis arte:</div> + <div class='line'>‘Pro gladiis curvos hamos, fallacibus escis</div> + <div class='line'>‘Implicitos, tremulasque sudes, parvumque tridentem</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>‘<span class='sc'>Piscator</span> modò factus ego, quò terga natantum</div> + <div class='line'>‘Sistere jam didici, duroque affigere saxo.</div> + <div class='line'>‘Primitias en flumineæ transmittimus artis</div> + <div class='line'>‘Et versus quot Clausa domos habet arctaque Vallis,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Quæ tibi pisciculos et rustica carmina pascit.’<a id='r56'></a><a href='#f56' class='c011'><sup>[56]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Marry, Sir, after those harmonious +verses that you have so fixedly treasured up in +your memory it is undeniable you may have +the honour to claim Petrarcha for one of your +fraternity.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And what was more natural than +he should seek an inward consolation for his +diseased thoughts in so quiet and sweet a recreation; +and on the banks of his loved river +indulge his thoughts with those ‘Visions’ of +the departed Laura, which Master Edmund +Spenser<a id='r57'></a><a href='#f57' class='c011'><sup>[57]</sup></a> hath rendered from the Italian into +harmonious English verse:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Within this wood, out of a rocke did rise</div> + <div class='line'>‘A spring of water, mildly rumbling downe,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Whereto approached not in anie wise</div> + <div class='line'>‘The homely shepheard, nor the ruder clowne;</div> + <div class='line'>‘But many Muses, and the Nymphes withall,</div> + <div class='line'>‘That sweetly in accord did tune their voyce</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>‘To the soft sounding of the waters fall;</div> + <div class='line'>‘That my glad hart thereat did much rejoyce.</div> + <div class='line'>‘But while herein I tooke my chiefe delight,</div> + <div class='line'>‘I saw (alas) the gaping earth devoure</div> + <div class='line'>‘The spring, the place, and all cleane out of sight;</div> + <div class='line'>‘Which yet aggrieves my hart even to this houre,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And wounds my soule with rufull memorie,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘To see such pleasures gon so suddenly.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>But now look around, and tell me, you that +have seen famed <span class='sc'>Vaucluse</span>, if this dell be not +more woody and umbrageous than the banks +of the Sorga; and look at the doublings and +wrenches of the stream, which make it the most +singular place that can be imagined for natural +beauties; and let me tell you, they have been +designed by Mr. Isaac Walton, junior, the son +of our master of angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How! has Mr. Walton a son, and +a limner too?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You may take Mr. Cotton’s word +for that.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Then I shall be inclined to love +him for more reasons than one.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, then, you must know, <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> +and <span class='sc'>Viator</span> having fished the ‘stream +by inches,’ came lower down, and then suddenly +<span class='sc'>Viator</span> exclaimed, ‘<i>But what have we +got here? a rock springing up in the middle +of the river! This is one of the oddest sights +<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>that ever I saw.</i>’ To this <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> replied, +‘<i>Why, Sir, from that Pike that you see standing +up there, distant from the rock,—that is +called Pike Pool, and young Mr. Isaac Walton +was so pleased with it, as to draw it in landskip, +in black and white, in a blank book I have +at home, as he has done several prospects of my +house also, which I keep for a memorial of his +favour</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> A book full of landskips did you +say! in black and white, and all done by the +hand of Mr. Izaak Walton, junior? that were +indeed a treasure to possess! But come;—let +us repose ourselves along these shady banks that +Mr. Walton, and his son, and Mr. Cotton all +loved, and that deserve to be loved by every +honest angler. See these wild flowers, which +spring around, and make a soft cushion for us; +here is the wild thyme, the Nottingham catchfly, +and coltsfoot, and violets——</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And what is no less germaine to +the present argument,—a handsome repast!—So +let us fall to’t.—Here is an excellent cake, +and some hang’d martinmas beef; with a measure +or two of mine Host’s good ale. Are you +prepared?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I may warrant you, and no wise +dainty after our long walk.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span><i>Angler.</i> O that we could now possess our +dear accomplish’d Civilian, that hath more learning +than both you and I together!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye; if he were here reclining with +us by the side of <span class='sc'>Pike Pool</span>, our entertainment +would be complete: and let us not despair to +inveigle him hither next month of May.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, I have known stranger things +come to pass; and now, if you please, we’ll +drink his health in a loving cup of barley wine.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> A worthy toast! fill to the brim!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> To the brim.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Both.</i> Here is a health to our polite Mr.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id003'> +<img src='images/image167.jpg' alt='T. O. A.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> A true lover of honest Izaak; and +to hear him descant on the gentle craft, you +might declare him to be a practised disciple.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Then what say you to his books +of emblems and engraved pictures of angling? +and do not forget that ebony cabinet in his +chambers in Lincoln’s Inn, furnished with all +ancient treatises of your art, and other merry +sports and pastimes of England.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye; and I love him the more for +his love of my masters: and though he hath +never wetted a line, nor soiled his hosen in +pursuit of the finny tribes, yet in imagination +<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>he hath done both one and the other: and is no +less versed in the philosophy of angling than +learned in Lord Coke’s Institutes, and the Law +of Nations.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I wish him all health; and may he +ever possess Sir Christopher Hatton’s moderate +desires, and be able to sing,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘I weigh not fortune’s frowne nor smile,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘I joye not much in worldly joyes;</div> + <div class='line'>‘I seek not state, I reake not style,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘I am not fond of fancie’s toyes!</div> + <div class='line'>‘I rest so pleased with what I have,</div> + <div class='line'>‘I wish no more,—no more I crave.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> So say I. And now remember +your promise, and give me the huntsman’s arguments +in praise of his pastime of hunting, +when he was in the company of Mr. Walton +and the Falconer, all the while they walked to +Hodsden.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Most willingly; and you are to know, +when Mr. Falconer broke off his discourse, and +entreated <span class='sc'>Venator</span> to say his best in praise of +the chase, that honest candid huntsman began +with a commendation of the earth, being that +element upon which he drives his ‘pleasant +wholesome hungry trade;’ and then declared, +that ‘hunting is a game for princes and noble +persons; it hath been highly prized in all +<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>ages; it was one of the qualifications that +Xenophon bestowed on his Cyrus, that he +was a hunter of wild beasts. Hunting trains +up the younger nobility to the use of manly +exercises in their riper age. What more manly +exercise than hunting the wild boar, the stag, +the buck, the fox, or the hare? How doth +it preserve health, and increase strength and +activity?’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well said, Mr. Huntsman; pr’ythee +proceed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> ‘And for the dogs that we use, who +can commend their excellency to that height +which they deserve? How perfect is the +hound at smelling, who never leaves or forsakes +his first scent, but follows it through so +many changes and varieties of other scents, +even over and in the water, and into the +earth! What music doth a pack of dogs then +make to any man, whose heart and ears are so +happy as to be set to the tune of such instruments! +How will a right greyhound fix his +eye on the best buck in the herd, single him +out, and follow him, and him only, through a +whole herd of rascal game, and still know, and +then kill him! For my hounds, I know the +language of them, and they know the language +and meaning of one another as perfectly as we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>know the voices of those with whom we discourse +daily.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Aye, I warrant you, <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> had +need of all his eloquence to overcome these +winning arguments in favour of the noble sport +of hunting. And what more did <span class='sc'>Venator</span> +say?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> At length he gently excused himself +from enlarging his discourse, and said, ‘I will +not be so uncivil to Mr. <span class='sc'>Piscator</span>, as not to +allow him time for the commendation of angling, +which he calls an art, but doubtless it is +an easy one; and, Mr. <span class='sc'>Auceps</span>, I doubt we +shall hear a watery discourse of it; but I hope +it will not be a long one.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And how did <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> reply to +this pleasant jesting?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> He received it as a well-bred angler +would do, and thus replied: ‘Gentlemen, let +not prejudice prepossess you.’ Do you observe +how enured Mr. Walton is to meekness and +patience? And you shall see, by and by, that +he was able to bring forward a store of arguments +and examples to prove the greater excellence +of his art of angling.——But first, I am +for another cup of ale. And here’s a health to +Mr. Walton and his son, and Mr. Cotton, his +adopted son, that have often sat where we now +<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>sit, and I have no doubt with hearts as thankful +as I hope ours to be.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I drink to all three.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And here’s a good wish for a south +wind, that Mr. Thomas Barker says, ‘blows +the fly in the trout’s mouth,’<a id='r58'></a><a href='#f58' class='c011'><sup>[58]</sup></a> and good sport +to all anglers.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> To such of them as be honest +men.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Let me tell you, all true brothers of +the angle are honest men.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Agreed, agreed.—So here’s a south +wind to all anglers. And now, whilst you entertain +me with <span class='sc'>Piscator’s</span> discourse, so suitable +to this occasion, I will design that rock and the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>pool, and these umbrageous trees, which give +us their shelter from the sun.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I thank you, and shall esteem it as +highly as the landskips of Mr. Walton junior, +that lately returned from his travels to Rome, +in company with his kinsman, pious Mr. Thomas +Ken, Fellow of St. Mary Winton College, +in Winchester.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How! did you say with Mr. Ken? +he that is chaplain to Dr. Morley, the self-denying +Bishop of Winton, who maintains the primitive +doctrine and discipline, and has restored +the daily service in his Churches?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The same;—and follows the Bishop’s +example of an ascetic life even in the midst of +this luxurious age: and has lately writ ‘<i>A +Manual of Prayers and Devotions for the use +of the Schollars of Winchester School</i>,’<a id='r59'></a><a href='#f59' class='c011'><sup>[59]</sup></a> where +he himself was trained to learning and good +manners.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! a book that most lovingly +persuades young christians to dedicate their tender +age to the service of God.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And I can never forget a discourse I +once heard him preach to the poor in St. John’s +Church, in the Soke near Winchester, wherein +<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>he exhorted them to the duties and privileges of +holiness,—and with such a sweet and melting eloquence—that +when he told them of Christ’s +whole life of suffering for their sakes, he drew +tears from many eyes.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> But how did it come to pass that he +should travel with Mr. Walton junior?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Because of his affection for old Isaak, +who had been his early counsellor and guide, +when he was left an orphan: for Mr. Walton +had married his sister, Mistress Ann Ken, ‘a +woman of remarkable prudence, and of the +primitive piety:’ but she is now at rest, and +‘lyeth buried, so much as could dye,’ in the +blessed Virgin Mary’s Chapel in the Cathedral +in Worcester.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well: he could not make a more +grateful return for the father’s love, than to +take upon him the part of Mentor to the son in +his foreign travels: but come, I remember me +how the Host said, Mr. Walton had good luck +in this pool, and I desire to follow his example, +and wheedle a big trout for our supper.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And so you shall; and because you +have lost your hook, I’ll show you how to fix +another.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> <i>Grazie, Pescatore mio.</i></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Let me find a hook with two horse +<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>hairs twisted together: here it is, and you may +see a loop at the end. Now mark, put the loop +of the fish-line through this loop of the hook, +and then bring the hook through the loop in the +fish-line, and draw them tight together—so—and +here is a fresh brandling, and now you are +fitted.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> O’ my word, ’tis neatly done; so, +I have laid my rod. Come, Sir, begin: How +pleasant this is!</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'>Where in a brook</div> + <div class='line in4'>With a hook,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Or a lake</div> + <div class='line in4'>Fish we take,</div> + <div class='line in4'>There we sit</div> + <div class='line in4'>For a bit</div> + <div class='line'>Till we fish entangle.</div> + <div class='line in4'>None do here</div> + <div class='line in4'>Use to swear;</div> + <div class='line in4'>Oaths do fray,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Fish away.</div> + <div class='line in4'>We sit still</div> + <div class='line in4'>And watch our quill,</div> + <div class='line'>Fishers must not wrangle.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>But let us have the angler’s grave,—watery arguments: +I am inquisitive to hear what he will +make against the Hunter.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Not so grave, I promise you; but +full of empassioned eloquence and no less ingenuity. +Thus then he began, ‘Gentlemen, let +<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>not prejudice prepossess you. I confess my +discourse is like to prove suitable to my recreation, +calm and quiet; we seldom take the +name of God into our mouths, but it is either +to praise him or pray to him; if others use it +vainly in the midst of their recreations, so +vainly as if they meant to conjure, I must tell +you it is neither our fault nor our custom; +we protest against it. But, pray remember, +I accuse nobody; for as I would not make a +watery discourse, so I would not put too much +vinegar into it; nor would I raise the reputation +of my own art, by the diminution or ruin +of another’s. And so much for the prologue +to what I mean to say.’ After that, with arguments +excellently contrived, he praised his +own loved element and occupation, and used +every allowable artifice to show how they are +more excellent than all others. I could now +open to you many passages of his discourse, that +have all the natural fragrancy of wild flowers +scattered with a careless hand; and whilst he +sets forth the beauty of the works of God, you +may be lifted to praise the Maker of them for +that most wonderful attribute—His love to man. +Indeed, he applied himself with so great a zeal +to the commendation of angling, and heightened +his discourse by so many harmonious digressions +<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>and testimonies to the pleasure and high esteem +thereof, that, when they arrived at Theobald’s +Park, whither the Falconer was proceeding to a +friend’s house, who mewed a hawk for him, he +declared to <span class='sc'>Piscator</span>, ‘I now part with you +full of good thoughts, not only of yourself, but +of your recreation.’ And yet, let me tell you, +he did but a short time before profess to pity +anglers, ‘because of their heavy contemptible +dull recreation.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And after the Falconer was gone, +did <span class='sc'>Venator</span> express any civil disposition towards +anglers?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Aye; for you have seen how his +purpose was to hunt the Otter at Hodsden, that +was three miles further; and so he continued +his walk with Mr. Walton, who all the while +pursued his discourse of fishes and fishing.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! then his discourse was three +miles long! All the while, say you, till they +came to Hodsden?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And not only so; but without any +averseness in Mr. <span class='sc'>Venator</span>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Then, I cannot but consider him +the meekest and most polite man in the world, +to listen with a cheerful willingness to so long +a commendation of an art that he had ‘heard +many merry huntsmen make sport and scoff at.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span><i>Angler.</i> Be not so confident; stay a little, +and I shall make you confess that Mr. Walton +adorned his arguments with such a matchless +commixture of learning and eloquence, as made +his praise of angling like sweet music even to +the huntsman’s ear; for when they were left +together, after the Falconer was gone to his +friend’s house, Mr. Walton invited his companion +to enlarge his discourse on hunting, and +promised he should ‘neither want time nor his +attention to hear it.’ But this the other gently +declined, because he was kindled with a desire to +hear how Mr. Walton could persuade him that +angling was ‘of great antiquity, and a perfect +art, and an art not easily attained to;’ the +which if he could do, he promised to ‘attend +him a day or two a-fishing, and become his +scholar.’ Whereupon Mr. Walton was charmed +with the hope of the Huntsman’s conversion; +and he did, by obvious arguments, possess his +mind with the same high and happy thoughts +as himself had the enjoyment of; for he convinced +him how it was an excellent and a pleasant +art ‘to deceive a trout, that is more sharpsighted +than any hawk,’ and how ‘the man +that hopes to be a good angler must not only +bring an inquiring, searching, observing wit, +but he must bring a large measure of hope and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>patience, and a love and a propensity to the +art itself.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And thus Mr. Walton, by an alluring +suavity, persuaded the Huntsman that angling +was near a-kin to wisdom, ‘<i>all her ways pleasantness, +and her paths peace</i>!’<a id='r60'></a><a href='#f60' class='c011'><sup>[60]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Doubtless,—and I would have you +understand that Mr. Walton, who is a known +lover of truth, here declares that he has discovered, +by a practical acquaintance with his art, +‘the very sitting by the river’s side is not only +the quietest and fittest place for contemplation, +but will invite an angler to it; and settle his +mind in a quiet repose, and there make him +fit for revelation.’ Then, after many more +examples to the lawfulness and high esteem of +angling, he declares, that ‘whosoever shall view +the ancient ecclesiastical canons, shall find +hunting to be forbidden to Churchmen, as +being a turbulent, toilsome, perplexing recreation; +and shall find angling allowed, as being +a harmless recreation that invites them to contemplation +and quietness.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> This methinks is suitable; for so +pious ministers may forth into the meadows, +and there sit and angle in a retirement, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>unbend their minds from too close study; and, +moreover give glory to God, when they see +the rocks and waters that He hath formed, and +the whole earth spangled with flowers or other +ornaments, for the service and delight of mankind.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And I believe that every hour of +innocent freedom from the cold-hearted humours +of the world, and every secret instinct of +reverence and affection towards God is a step +forward in our path to the unseen glories of +His presence. ‘And it is only while we are +still that we are like a tranquil water reflecting +Heaven.’——Thus, <span class='sc'>Venator</span> became more +and more charmed into an attention, until Mr. +Walton brought him to the persuasion that +angling was ‘an employment full of various +pleasures and events;’ and after that declared, +how ‘learned William Perkins, Dr. Whitaker, +and Dr. Nowel, sometime Dean of the Cathedral +Church of St. Paul, in London, so +noted for his meek spirit, deep learning, prudence, +and piety, were dear lovers and constant +practisers of angling.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I dare not deny the commendations +Mr. Walton bestows on fishing, if peaceful Dr. +Nowel gave his authority to the enjoyment of +it; for he was a most excellent example of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>ancient simplicity and holiness; and who can +tell the deep searchings of his spirit into the +truths revealed in the sacred scripture! as witness +his Church Catechism, and the part he +took in drawing up the Articles of our Faith, +which shall be the guiding star of happy England +amidst the rocks, and shelves, and quicksands, +and cloudy storms of ages yet to come.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Alas! I have a sad forecasting of +times, when the Church (and through her side +the Commonwealth of England) shall be again +assailed by wearisome censurers, the declared +enemies of her polity and ministrations,—and +yet more of her endowments.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Be not vexed with these unquiet +thoughts: God hath His flock in His own +keeping: unless through some decay of piety +in our Bishops and Ministers of religion, by +their neglecting of the sacraments, the daily +church services, the Fasts and Festivals, and +primitive rules of discipline, He should again +be angered against the shepherds, and let the +wolves into the fold.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Alas! for that day, if ever they +should disparage and slur those ministrations, +which are their divine commission to the end of +time, and their bulwark!—for then would the +love and reverence of men be again changed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>into an averseness, and ill-speakers of church-government +provoke disunion, so as the very +vail of the temple mould be rent in twain.——But +to return to the example of pious +Dean Nowel, I may tell you, this most wise +man was ‘a dear lover and constant practiser +of angling as any age can produce; and his +custom was to spend, besides his fixed hours +of prayer, a tenth part of his time in angling, +and also of his revenue, and usually all his +fish, amongst the poor, that inhabited near to +those rivers in which it was caught, saying +often, “that charity gave life to religion;” +and at his return to his house he would praise +God, he had spent that day free from worldly +trouble; both harmlessly and in a recreation +that became a churchman.’ And more I have +to say; for you will not deny to Sir Henry +Wotton your partial opinion and praise.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That I will not, because I know +he was a man of notable qualities; and one +that was a lover of excellent artificers in limning +and sculpture, and willingly afforded his ear +and his purse to every poor man that was so +happy as to gain access to him.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then I have but this more to say, +namely, how Mr. Walton declares, that ‘Sir +Henry Wotton, whose experience, learning, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>wit, and cheerfulness, made him one of the +delights of mankind, was also a dear lover and +frequent practiser of the art of angling, of +which he would say, “’Twas an employment +for his idle time, which was not then idly +spent: for angling was, after a tedious study, +a rest to his mind, a cheerer of his spirits, +a diverter of sadness, a calmer of unquiet +thoughts, a moderator of passions, a procurer +of contentedness.”’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Sir, you could not more certainly +move me to favourable thoughts of angling, +than by persuading me to believe that Sir Henry +Wotton had a love for this pastime.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I am glad to hear you say so; and +now, after this long digression, I intend only to +tell you, that those irresistible arguments wherewith +Mr. Walton adorned his discourse, brought +the Huntsman and himself to Hodsden, that +was the end of their journey. And then Mr. +Walton said, ‘I am glad your patience hath held +out so long, for my discourse hath brought +us within sight of the Thatched House.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>To this the other replied: ‘Sir, you have +angled me on with much pleasure to the +Thatched House, and I now find your words +true; that good company makes the way seem +short; for, trust me, Sir, I thought we had +<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>wanted three miles of this house, till you showed +it to me. But now we are at it, we’ll turn +into it, and refresh ourselves with a cup of +drink and a little rest.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘Most gladly, Sir,’ replied <span class='sc'>Piscator</span>, ‘and +we’ll drink a civil cup to all the Otter-hunters +that we are to meet to-morrow.’ Then <span class='sc'>Venator</span> +answered him, ‘That we will, Sir, and +to all the lovers of angling too; of which +number I am now willing to be one myself; +for by the help of your discourse and company +I have put on new thoughts, both of the art +of angling and of all that profess it: and if you +will but meet me to-morrow at the time and +place appointed, and bestow one day with me +and my friends on hunting the Otter, I will +dedicate the next two days to wait on you, +and we two will for that time do nothing but +angle, and talk of fish and fishing.’ Then +<span class='sc'>Piscator</span> cheerfully took him at his word, and +said: ‘’Tis a match, Sir; I’ll not fail you, +(God willing,) to be at Amwell Hill to-morrow +morning before sun rising.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> A more sweet and loving discourse +I have not heard. I declare to you I am moved +by a sensible charm to listen to these ingenuous +strangers, as they enliven each other by an +accidental dialogue on angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span><i>Angler.</i> And who would not desire that he +might spend a fine fresh morning once a year at +least in Mr. Walton’s company, and hear him +allege his plausible arguments to teach men to +be peaceful anglers? And if I might persuade +you to read all he says in praise of his art, you +would find such a harmony and so many suitable +colours in the composition of his book, that +you might declare it to be a picture designed +with all the graces of Titian, and the sweetness +of Correggio.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, brother, this I will declare, +that I am like the gentleman Falconer, and begin +to love both Mr. Walton and his art; nay, +I have listened with a secret pleasure to his +conversation, and hope to hear what entertainment +his friend the huntsman provided for him, +when they two met at Amwell to hunt the +Otter.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That you shall hear by and by, but +first let me see your sketch of <i>Pike Pool</i>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> There it is, and the best I can +make it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is indeed a skilful picture: all of +a just and natural proportion: and now, because +you have had so much civility and patience, I +will make you some requital, and go a-fishing +with you for an hour; but look, you have a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>nibble; for your quill is out of sight.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And so it is! now I hope to find +a good trout to my hook—how shall I play +with him?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Take up your rod, and try if it be +a little one or a big one.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is but ‘a diminutive gentleman.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then throw him in again, and put +on another worm:—there, you have a second!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Now! I warrant this is a mettlesome +fish.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then answer him conformably.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Ah!—I am but an <i>ignoramus</i>, with +all my pride; nevertheless I hope I shall not +lose him, for he will be worth his weight in +gold, only because I took him in this very spot; +and if I catch him, I’ll draw his likeness in colours +at my leisure.—He goes away at a dash—I +fear my tackling will not hold out.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I am a hostage for the line, if you +will practice him pliantly—but do not jerk him.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I beseech you take the rod and show +me.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well then—you must cherish him +a bit—thus—and now straighten him by degrees +drawing in your line.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> See how he doubles back.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ay: but I have him in hand—so—now +<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>do you take the rod again, and puzzle +him, and give me the net—it is well done—this +way with him—I have the Hector, and I +declare to you it is the largest fish we have +taken to-day.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Oh, brother, I am quite in love +with this pastime of angling—it is the pleasantest +thing in the world—and I profess myself +from henceforth a willing disciple of Mr. +Walton.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Indeed! I am charmed to hear you +make this honest declaration; and I may tell +you, for your encouragement, that you are like +to prove a handy craftsman, so let us go lower +down to the fresh streams.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I have almost had enough: and I +cannot hope to be pleased with any place after +this woody dell. I have never seen the like for +a retirement.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, as you please: but what is +yonder above our heads, which is overshadowed +by the ash trees? methinks it looks like a hole +in the rock.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I believe it is, and if you are so inclined, +let us scramble up and look into it: perchance +we shall make a discovery.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> With all my heart; lead on: but +have a care, for it is a scraggy place, and you +<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>may hap to come down again heels over head.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Look to yourself; a Carolus to a +groat that I’m there first.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Say you so? then pr’ythee let your +footing keep pace with your words, for I am +after you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Heigho!—stop there,—I have +slipped up; beseech you—give me a hand.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ha, ha! Signor, whose somersault +was that? try again:—but see, I am up first,—and +what a concealed cavern is here, ‘covered +over with rude grown briers,’<a id='r61'></a><a href='#f61' class='c011'><sup>[61]</sup></a> and big enough +for a man to stand upright in, if he desired a +shelter.<a id='r62'></a><a href='#f62' class='c011'><sup>[62]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span><i>Painter.</i> Ay, and we have seen the times +that such a cave had been worth a king’s crown, +when he that was near to losing one, was compelled +to hide himself from his pursuers.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Let us pray God that the nation +may rest from her troubles;—that we may sit +‘<i>every man under his vine and under his fig-tree</i>;’ +and angle when he will, in peace beneath +the shade of sycamine trees, free from all +contentions and jars.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> This, I hope, may be our happy +lot; and now we have six braces and a half of +trouts; so if you please, let us back to Alstonfields; +for we have two miles to walk, and the +sun is going down.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I am quite willing to be at home, +for I begin to tire; here is the way.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> So—we are come again to the steep +hill by Narrow Dale: I wish we were past it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> There are some houses;—and a woman +standing at her cottage-door—shall we +follow the example of good Dean Nowel, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>make her happy with the contribution of some +of our fishes?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I had the same thought.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Here, good woman; will it please +you accept this couple of trouts, and I dare believe +you’ll know how to cook them.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Cottager.</i> I humbly thank you, gentlemen, +and it is not the first time I have dressed trouts: +for noble Mr. Cotton bestows a great part of +his fish upon us. He hath a charitable heart +towards his poor neighbours: and for gentlemen +anglers, he loves to see them take their +sport in his river.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That I am sure of—we wish you a +good evening.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Cottager.</i> Your servant, kind gentlefolk; +and I thank you too.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> So—we are arrived once more at the +King’s Head, and there is mine host at his door +looking about for us. Well, Mr. Marsh!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sirs, you are welcome; and I hope +you have found good sport in our river Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Exceeding good; see,—here are +some brace of trouts for supper: and now we’ll +rest ourselves on this bench till they be ready.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> I’ll bring them in a trice, for ‘<i>the kettle +is set upon a quick fire of wood, and the +liquor’s boiling up</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span><i>Angler.</i> That’s well! and, Host, ‘<i>whilst +your fish is boiling, beat up the butter for your +sauce</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> It shall be done, Sir! and ‘<i>I’ll strew +it plentifully with shaved horseradish and a +little pounded ginger</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> He remembers every word how Mr. +Cotton taught <span class='sc'>Viator</span> to dress a trout or grayling, +which questionless is of all other the best +way.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That I believe. — — —</p> + +<p class='c009'>And here comes mine Host again with the +trouts:—they are served as quickly as we could +desire—so do you say grace, brother.—Amen.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, they are good sized fish, and exceeding +well conditioned.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The biggest is my brother’s, that he +took in the Pike Pool, after you were gone +home; and he has declared it to be his purpose, +from this day, to call himself a scholar of Mr. +Walton, and endeavour to learn the secrets of +our craft.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Indeed, Sir! I am heartily glad of this—for +I have heard Mr. Walton and Mr. Cotton +say, when men are quietly employed a-fishing, +it teaches them to lay aside uneasy +thoughts and cares, being a pastime that is full +of hope; and this gentleman gives promise to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>be a skilful artist with his angle.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> True—and I’ll drink his health in a +glass of Staffordshire ale—so make us a loving +cup, with toasted bread and sugar, the same as +yesterday.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir! it shall be done as you desire.—And +quickly.—</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That is well—come brother, here’s +to you and your honest Master, Mr. Izaak +Walton, and I will not forget Mr. Charles Cotton, +for you must now look upon him as an +adopted brother.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Trust me, I want no persuasions to +love Mr. Cotton, who hath provided such delights +by the river Dove, and made them all +‘sacred to anglers;’ my mind is full of the train +of those pleasures. And now resolve me this +question: Why may we not divert ourselves another +day or two on the margin of this fine river?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Are you in earnest?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed am I; and if you are so inclined, +I’ll be wholly disposed of by you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Why, that’s brave! I accept your +challenge; and seeing you have abandoned +yourself to my conduct, I will persuade you to +walk back to the town of Ashbourne through +the whole valley of Dove Dale.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That is agreed. Oh! I am full +<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>of joyful thoughts of rare angling; and perchance +we may yet find some beautiful landskips; +nevertheless, methinks, we have seen the +choicest parts of the river: is it not so?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Of that I shall ask leave to say nothing; +do you but wait till to-morrow and +when you are come to the lower streams towards +Ashbourne, I will remit the question to +your own free judgment.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, I have suddenly a thought +come into my mind.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> What is that? I hope it is to give +us a song, for I know you have not been denied +a voice or an ear; so tune up your music, and +after that I’ll make some attempts myself, and +sing an innocent song.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Anon—anon—but now tell me, +why should not we two happy anglers, that +have found our walking legs up and down the +slopes of these glades, stretch them again to-morrow +morning, and go to the higher parts of +the Dove, and see how this river ‘<i>springs from +a contemptible fountain</i>,’ that Mr. Cotton says, +‘<i>he can cover with his hat</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> On the word of an angler, you are +the strangest man that ever I saw! Let me tell +you, the path there and back is near upon +twenty miles,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>‘Up hill and down dell,</div> + <div class='line'>‘By rock and by fell.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> What care I for twenty miles, so +I may but drink a cup from that fountain of the +Dove to the health of my master, Mr. Izaak +Walton?</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Oh! the gallant fisher’s life,</div> + <div class='line in2'>It is the best of any;</div> + <div class='line'>’Tis full of pleasure, void of strife,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And ’tis beloved by many.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Both.</i> Other joys</div> + <div class='line in12'>Are but toys,</div> + <div class='line in12'>Only this</div> + <div class='line in12'>Lawful is;</div> + <div class='line in12'>For our skill</div> + <div class='line in12'>Breeds no ill,</div> + <div class='line in8'>But content and pleasure.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Angler.</i> In a morning up we rise,</div> + <div class='line in12'>Ere Aurora’s peeping;</div> + <div class='line in10'>Drink a cup to wash our eyes,</div> + <div class='line in12'>Leave the sluggard sleeping.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Both.</i> Then we go,</div> + <div class='line in12'>To and fro,</div> + <div class='line in12'>With our knacks</div> + <div class='line in12'>At our backs,</div> + <div class='line in12'><i>To the Dove,</i></div> + <div class='line in12'><i>That we love</i>,</div> + <div class='line in8'>If we have the leisure.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Excellent, excellent—‘<i>you have conquered +me</i>;’ and to speak the truth, I but tried +<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>if you were in earnest; for once on a time I +walked by myself to the Dove Head, and I may +tell you all the way is as full of fair sweet prospects +as any can desire that love angling and +the wild hadder of the moors; so let us be gone +to-morrow before the sun rising.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I care not how early; and now +every one to bed with a prayerful heart, that he +may secretly fetch down his consolation from +Heaven, and make every thing contribute to +his gradual ascent thither.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Good night, all.</p> + +<div class='c005 figcenter id002'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span> +<img src='images/image195a.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 id='IV' class='c006'>CHAPTER IV.<br> <i>The</i> Angler <i>and the</i> Painter <i>take a pleasant walk to the source of the</i> Dove.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><i>Angler.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='c009'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage195b.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +How now! brave Gentleman, how +fares it with you this morning?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Trust me, I am full of +joyful expectations.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then you do not repent your sudden +challenge to walk across the moors to the +Dove Head?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Oh, Sir, never fear me.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Hark! the lark at Heaven’s gate sings</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And Phœbus ‘gins to arise,</div> + <div class='line'>‘His steeds to water at those springs</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘On chalic’d flowers that lies.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>The air of these mountains hath a wholesome +freshness that gives wings to the spirit.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span><i>Angler.</i> Very true; and I have the authority +of learned Sir William Temple to declare, +that health and long life are to be found on the +Peak of Derbyshire, and the heaths of Staffordshire. +Are you for breakfast?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Ay! and look, our host has provided +for us in this arbour in his garden; see, +how it is grown over with jessamines and honeysuckles.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And here is a hedge of sweet-briers—it +all breathes fragrancy.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is very pleasant; and now let us +discuss our breakfast with all freedom, as honest +anglers ought to do: here’s new baked bread, +and milk and honey; and here’s a bowl of +curds and whey, with nutmeg and ginger. Are +you for that?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> With all my heart.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> What say you, brother; is not here +a most fresh and unmatchable morning for travellers? +Do but look over those hills; and +there are the blue moors, backed by the burnished +light of the sun rising behind them. What +can be more glorious?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nothing, nothing—see how he +‘<i>cometh forth as a bridegroom from his chamber, +and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a +race</i>.’—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>Pack, clouds, away, and welcome day,</div> + <div class='line in2'>With night we banish sorrow;</div> + <div class='line'>Sweet air, blow soft, mount, larks, aloft,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To give my love good morrow.</div> + <div class='line'>Wings from the wind, to please the mind,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Notes from the lark I’ll borrow;</div> + <div class='line'>Bird, plume thy wing, nightingales, sing,</div> + <div class='line in4'>To give my love good morrow,</div> + <div class='line in4'>To give my love good morrow.</div> + <div class='line in2'>Notes from them both I’ll borrow.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Wake from thy nest, robin redbreast,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Sing, birds, in every furrow;</div> + <div class='line'>And from each hill let music shrill,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Give my fair love good morrow.</div> + <div class='line'>Blackbird and thrush in every bush,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Stare, linnet, and cock sparrow,</div> + <div class='line'>You pretty elves, among yourselves,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Sing my fair love good morrow.</div> + <div class='line in4'>To give my love good morrow,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Sing, birds, in every furrow.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Excellent well!—it is a song of Mr. +Thomas Heywood?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> The same; and now it is your +turn.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Let me consider a while; I’ll give +you a ballad of John Welbye. Or stay—now, +I have one:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'>In pride of May,</div> + <div class='line in6'>The fields are gay,</div> + <div class='line'>The birds do sing, so sweetly sing—</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>So nature would</div> + <div class='line in6'>That all things could,</div> + <div class='line'>With joy, begin the spring.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'>Then, lady dear,</div> + <div class='line in6'>Do you appear</div> + <div class='line'>In beauty, like the spring;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'>I dare to say,</div> + <div class='line in6'>The birds that day</div> + <div class='line'>More cheerfully will sing.<a id='r63'></a><a href='#f63' class='c011'><sup>[63]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>And now we have done breakfast, and I am +ready to attend you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, then, let us be going. I am +with you, lead on. You remember how the +host told us there were two roads to Beresford: +let us take the coach road by the left for a +change; and now we are at the top look before +you, for there again is Beresford Hall.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Oh! that Mr. Charles Cotton were +now there! and we might be invited to receive +some instructions in fly-fishing!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And my master, honest Izaak, with +his bottom fishing,—so please you, brother.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That I heartily wish too.—But see +we are once more arrived at the brink of the +river.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span><i>Painter.</i> Do we cross over this fordable +place?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay—that would be roundabout to +Hartington; and mine host advised us rather to +turn underneath those rocks which are close to +Pike Pool; for there we may pass the river, +and have a pleasant prospect of the fishing-house; +and then by a nearer path across some +fields to Hartington, and after that I can find +my way.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> With all my heart; so here we are +again: see the turfy bank where we had the +enjoyment of Mr. Walton’s book; and the +cobbling stones across the Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The same; and so take care, or you +may have an unlucky tumble into the river.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Over with you, Sir!—I am an +angler now, and fear not ‘the element I trade +in.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Bravely, Mr. Pictor, you have a +dexterous management with your heels. Now +to the right by this high bank: and look how +the river winds through the meadows, above +the fishing-house; and there you see before you +Hartington Church; if you please, we may +pass to the left of the town; and now, for a +little while, we must bid farewell to the Dale.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am sorry to hear it; our pleasures +<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>are all too short-lived: methinks I could spend +all the month of May near to Mr. Cotton’s +fishing-grounds.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That we might do with great contentment; +but for to-day we must rove among +the moorlands; and if some of them are barren +and bleak, yet they will be set off to advantage +by fresh streams, and valleys, and flocks, and +herds. Then remember, though we are on +pilgrimage, we may sit down on turf cushions +when we are weary, and sing merry songs, in +despite of care, ay, and of fortune too, that +‘rackets with man as with her tennis ball.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And I am resolved to take a pleasure +in all I see; but what is yonder hill?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That is Banktop; and there is Carderlow +Hill, in Staffordshire. But now prepare +yourself; for you are come to a busy watermill, +and yonder you may see Ludwell Spring, +that within a few yards of its rising, falls into +the Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How say you? is this the very +source of a river gushing with so sudden a force, +and leaping out of a cavern in a considerable +stream from underneath the ground?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> This ought to be noted in your blank +book; for it confirms an observation of Mr. +Cotton, that ‘<i>the Dove from its head for a mile +<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>or two is a black water, because it springs from +the moss; but in a few miles travel is so clarified +by the addition of several clear and very +great springs bigger than itself which gush out +of the lime-stone rocks, that before it comes to +my house, which is but six or seven miles from +its source, you will find it one of the purest crystalline +streams you have seen</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That is true; for, look, before +these waters are joined, the Dove is a darkish +colour. But here she comes away, rejoicing +in the clearness of Ludwell Brook: and so they +hurry themselves in company to the mill with a +mutual alacrity.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> There let them go, and to-morrow +we shall meet them by Hanson Toot.—But +who comes here?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is a little country damsel.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Good morning, pretty maiden. What +are you come for?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Maiden of the Mill.</i> To fetch some water, +Sir.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I pray you be civil, and let me +taste some of this clear spring of the Ludwell +from your pitcher.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Maiden.</i> You are welcome, Sir. I’ll dip it in.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Thank you, gentle maid; ’tis as +cold as an icicle; and what is your name?</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span><i>Maiden.</i> Margery, so please you, Sir.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, my pretty Margery; we are +greatly beholden to you; and here is a half +Sevil piece to buy ribands for Sundays and +holidays; and so farewell.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Maiden.</i> Your servant, kind Gentlemen, and +I thank you both.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> God speed you, pretty Margery; +and may you live as harmless and happy as you +now appear to be, and some day or other walk +to church on flowers. Come, brother, let us be +forward; for you and I must up to Wheeldon +Hill, that towers to the skies yonder.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> With all my heart: farewell, Margery.——What +a secret charm is in a youthful +innocency, that hath not put off the white +garments washed in the fountain of baptism! +I have heard it said, a child’s mind gives a pattern +of a church temper; it looks to have come +fresh from heaven, and to be the only thing fit +to re-ascend to the celestial presence.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And that, we may believe, was the +reason of our Redeemer exhorting mankind to +have the mind of children. And did he not +openly declare that their angels do always behold +the face of their Heavenly Father? meaning +their guardian angels.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Are you of that opinion?</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span><i>Angler.</i> I would not take upon myself to pry +into the vast secrets of celestial intelligences: +but, because the church declares that God hath +‘<i>ordained and constituted the services of angels +in a wonderful order</i>,’ and prays that ‘<i>they +may succour and defend us on earth</i>,’ I am not +denied the consolation to think how those etherial +choirs have a sweet ministration on our +behalf, as channels of grace; else why doth St. +Chrysostom exhort us to pray for the angel of +peace, if they are not able to keep us out of +heart-aching sins? And if I could fix in my +mind the assured image of one such angelic +presence as my secret companion, this vale of +tears would become a delightful Eden—this +desert a near approach to heaven: for then it +would be my most pleasant and glorious employment +to lift up my feeble voice in the +cherubic hymn; my soul would be faithful +and devout,—all things would become pure,—all +things holy,—all things peaceful and lovely. +And thus following my unseen guide, I should +have a blessed fore-intimation of the realms of +light, and my earthly services be a preparation +for the awful presence of the Highest. Methinks +I could never defile my body, which is +the temple of God, nor permit a bad thought, +or a sordid desire to taint the sanctuary of my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>immortal spirit,—If I knew that would put to +flight my angel, and compel its winged sorrowful +retreat back to the courts of heaven,—not +with triumphant Hosannas for a victory over +sin and death, but to make a record of my +fatal discomfiture to its weeping companions of +the skies. Therefore, do not deny me the +liberty to believe that God’s bright angels +throng invisibly through the universe, and ‘<i>encamp +about them that fear Him</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, I wish to be of your opinion, +and that we have an interest in the prayers of +ministering spirits, and so may attain unto some +likeness to them: yet remember that they +themselves are kept by the grace of <span class='sc'>One</span> that +is above all principalities and powers in heaven +or in earth. And we have this surpassing relish +of hope, that as His divine unerring eye beholds +us with the love of a Mediator, and His +Spirit is within and over us as a Comforter, +infusing an immortal power into the inmost +soul, we have the confirmation of a continual +grace, that imprints a more sublime virtue than +the presence of angels or archangels—yea, or +of cherubim and seraphim, who veil their faces +before Him. Oh! wherefore is it that we +cannot attune our thoughts to the high employment +of the invisible Church, who with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>loud voices sound forth joyful hallelujahs to +<span class='sc'>God</span>?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Because, brother, through our want +of faith our eyes are blinded, that we cannot +realize the presence of the heavenly world, +which, nevertheless, is around and about us, +as surely as these mountains and these skies. +Give me leave to tell you, the Church always +has, and, notwithstanding the decay of piety, +does now acknowledge the ‘<i>communion of saints</i>,’—to +wit, that the saints now on earth have +spiritual fellowship with ‘<i>the general assembly +and Church of the first-born, which are written +in Heaven</i>.’<a id='r64'></a><a href='#f64' class='c011'><sup>[64]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How mean you? with the saints +departed and admitted into the presence of +Christ?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> So it is. I speak not now of the +dignity that is wrought in holy persons by the +permitted communion with God, according to +the last prayer of our Saviour, that they might +be one with Himself, (<i>as thou, Father, art in +me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in +us</i>,)<a id='r65'></a><a href='#f65' class='c011'><sup>[65]</sup></a>—nor of the fulfilment of His rich promise, +that His Father and Himself would <i>love +them, and come unto them, and make their abode +<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>with them</i>,<a id='r66'></a><a href='#f66' class='c011'><sup>[66]</sup></a> nor of the inestimable gift of the +Comforter, which should <i>abide with them for +ever</i>, (<i>for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in +you</i>:)<a id='r67'></a><a href='#f67' class='c011'><sup>[67]</sup></a>—neither will I now further insist on the +blessed assurance in Scripture of the spiritual +communion of saints on earth with God’s angels, +who are <i>ministering spirits, sent forth to minister +for them who shall be heirs of salvation</i>,<a id='r68'></a><a href='#f68' class='c011'><sup>[68]</sup></a> yea, +and rejoice over them, yea, and wait for their +souls, to carry them triumphantly into Abraham’s +bosom.—But, blessed be God! besides +all this, we have assurance of the love of that +innumerable company who wait in hope of the +bright morning of the resurrection, who whilst +on earth were renewed in the image of our +God, and endued with the spirit of Christ,—even +those successive generations that have departed +this life in faith, and now made perfect, +and inhabiters of the supernal City. Blessed +be God! they are secret witnesses to our desires, +our penitential tears, our fastings, our inward +struggles, our outward crosses,—are present +with us in the Holy Church, joining in +those very sacraments and prayers which were +their own comfort and support in <i>their</i> day of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>probation. Nay, death itself hath no power to +accomplish the separation of those we have +most dearly loved:—the grave hath closed over +their mortality, they have escaped from their +outward perishable frame, and have winged +their way to unimaginable joys; but it may be +they are with us in unseen communion.—What +if their spirits mingle with ours in a wonderful +order? and although we presume not to fathom +the mystery beyond what is revealed in Scripture, +may we not join with them and with the +ten thousand times ten thousand hosts of heaven, +in praise of the eternal unity of the Godhead, +that hath given us this earnest of a glorious +immortality?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Oh! the unsearchable riches that +are even now within our grasp, if we knew to +put forth our hand and reach them!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But alas! because of the natural +averseness of our souls from heavenly contemplations, +and our too intense fixedness on the +unreal pleasures of the world, we cannot be +warmed and affected with the kindlings of holy +desires.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> ’Tis true, yet strange,——for a +religious spirit is the highest gift of God; it +is an incense that rises perfumed to His lofty +throne, from whence it flows, and gives peace +<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>of soul which setteth at naught all the chances +of fortune.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> True, for to be spiritually minded +<i>is peace</i>, and by the bond of peace we are kept +in the unity of the Spirit.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And that peace is nowhere else to +be found but only in the Church, as witness +those choice verses of Mr. George Herbert, who +dedicated his muse to the Divine Majesty, and +his life to a christian holiness.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Sweet Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave,</div> + <div class='line in12'>Let me once know.</div> + <div class='line in8'>I sought thee in a secret cave,</div> + <div class='line in8'>And ask’d if Peace were there.</div> + <div class='line'>A hollow wind did seem to answer, No:</div> + <div class='line in12'>Go seek elsewhere.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I did; and going did a rainbow note;</div> + <div class='line in12'>Surely, thought I,</div> + <div class='line in8'>This is the Lace of Peace’s Coat:</div> + <div class='line in8'>I will search out the matter.</div> + <div class='line'>But while I lookt, the clouds immediately</div> + <div class='line in12'>Did break and scatter.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Then went I to a garden, and did spie</div> + <div class='line in12'>A gallant flower,</div> + <div class='line in8'>The crown Imperial: Sure, said I,</div> + <div class='line in8'>Peace at the root must dwell.</div> + <div class='line'>But when I digg’d, I saw a worm devour</div> + <div class='line in12'>What show’d so well.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>At length I met a rev’rend good old man;</div> + <div class='line in12'>Whom when for Peace</div> + <div class='line in8'><span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>I did demand, he thus began:</div> + <div class='line in8'>There was a Prince of old</div> + <div class='line'>At <i>Salem</i> dwelt, who lived with good encrease</div> + <div class='line in12'>Of Flock and Fold.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>He sweetly liv’d; yet sweetness did not save</div> + <div class='line in12'>His life from foes.</div> + <div class='line in8'>But after death out of his grave</div> + <div class='line in8'>There sprang twelve stalks of wheat;</div> + <div class='line'>Which many wondering at, got some of those</div> + <div class='line in12'>To plant and set.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>It prosper’d strangely, and did soon disperse</div> + <div class='line in12'>Through all the earth:</div> + <div class='line in8'>For they that taste it do rehearse</div> + <div class='line in8'>That vertue lies therein;</div> + <div class='line'>A secret vertue, bringing peace and mirth</div> + <div class='line in12'>By flight of sin.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Take of this grain, which in my garden grows,</div> + <div class='line in12'>And grows for you;</div> + <div class='line in8'>Make bread of it, and that repose</div> + <div class='line in8'>And peace, which every where</div> + <div class='line'>With so much earnestness you do pursue,</div> + <div class='line in12'>Is only there.<a id='r69'></a><a href='#f69' class='c011'><sup>[69]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You are in the right: the meaning +of Mr. George Herbert was, that peace may +only be found in the unity of the Holy Church, +which is <i>built on the foundation of the apostles +and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner +stone</i>; and St. Chrysostom hath said the name +<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span><span class='sc'>Church</span> is a name of harmony;—and truly,—for +he declares it to be a place of angels and of +archangels, a palace of God, heaven itself;—and +her anointed ministers are the bearers of +God’s faithful message;—baptizing all people +into her one communion, dispensing to all the +eucharistic Body and Blood of Christ their Redeemer, +and catechizing all, young and old, in +the holy mysteries of the Scriptures, which +display the glory of God in the government and +redemption of the world.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> ‘<i>How beautiful upon the mountains +are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, +that publisheth Peace.</i>’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And when the prophet would raise +up the heart of the afflicted Church, ‘<i>tossed +with tempest and not comforted</i>,’ he saith, ‘<i>Behold, +I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and +lay thy foundations with sapphires, and I will +make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of +carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. +And all thy children shall be taught of the +Lord; and great shall be the Peace of thy +people.</i>’——But we grow too serious—let us +be forward, or we shall scarce reach the end of +our walk.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am with you: and what big mountains +are they, so dark in the distance? they +<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>must be ten miles off. I hope we shall have +nothing to say to them.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Trust me, brother,—and something +beyond them too, if you would see Dove Head +to-day; but they are not so far as you think, +and when you come to them, you’ll like them +none the worse for their steepness. But now +we are arrived at Pilsbury, you may see Broad +Meadow—that is a handsome mansion-house +on the other side of the stream; and this is +Wheeldon Hill.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, to be sure, he is not so difficult +and tedious as he looked to be from Ludwell.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I declare no man living can trudge +better than you do. And now you may find +Crowdey Cote Bridge in the bottom, and a +spring that contributes all its clearness to the +Dove; and thus I have brought you to Sterndale; +and so let us pass to the right.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Stay awhile, brother; methinks we +are leaving our Dove, and that I have no mind +to do.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Let me persuade you, for it is only +to bring you back to her again with greater +contentment; so you may leave her to her own +careless pleasures in those flowery meads, whilst +you and I pass through Glutton Dale; and here +<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>we have dipped into the valley, and are come +to the base of the hill, that looked so towering +some miles off.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! we are arrived at it quickly. +Has this mountain a name hereabouts?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ay, and a well known one—with +its elder brother, that is twice as high; they +are the Great and Little Cromes; and there +you may now see them before you, with cattle +feeding on the very pinnacle.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That is a strange sight; I wonder +how they clambered up such a steepy crag.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And see, I am as good as my word, +for here we are come again to the Dove;—so +follow me over this wooden bridge into Staffordshire.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Is this your River Dove? She is +not grown bigger since last we parted.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You are in the right; she is less and +less,—and darker than we remember her: for +her path has been through some boggy mountainous +ways; but like the eyes of a Moorish +beauty, she is clear and sparkling, and is now +hurrying on to the sweet prospects about Mr. +Cotton’s fishing-house that we so lately passed: +and do you mark how she declines the invitations +of these little rocks and glades, and waterdocks, +and shaly banks that hope to detain +<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>her, breaking away from them with a disdainful +murmur.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And not without reason, for the +prospects hereabouts are middling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay—turn yourself, and look at +those high mountains: the two Cromes are +now behind us, where the flocks and cattle still +browse on the summits.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How, say you? Not those Cromes +you spoke of an hour ago?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The same; but now they present +themselves in a bold profile, and are broken into +sharper edges.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Sharp indeed,—for the crags on +the top are of such a narrowness, that I would +not believe the cattle might stand there, if I +did not see them do it: and, for my own part, +I would not go over those rocks ‘<i>for a thousand +pounds</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> ‘<i>Nor tumble off them for two.</i>’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is ‘an odd country indeed:’—but +halt, brother, what is that I see?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Having past by Winterside, that +looked so cold and rocky, we are come to +Washgate; and tell me what you think of the +landskip before you?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You have taken me quite by a surprise, +for here is a prodigious passage in the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>mountains that for rudeness of nature cannot be +exceeded: methinks we are come to the world’s +end.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> See how the Dove is suddenly forced +down these rocky ledges, and is then joined by +another and as rapid a stream,—Calshaw Brook, +that is scarce deserving of a name,—yet gushes +down with a merry loud noise.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am enchanted with this wilderness: +but I will confess your mountainous +ways have put my metal to the proof, and I +begin to be weary; so I beseech you let us sit +awhile, that I may do my best to make a picture +of these high rocks; and I shall ask you +to read me some passages from my master’s +Book of Angling; and I remember how, because +his happy companion, <span class='sc'>Venator</span>, promised +to dedicate two days to angling in his +company, it was agreed they should first bestow +the next day to hunt the Otter.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> You shall hear what they did after +they met the next morning, just as the sun was +rising. For you are to know, as they came +to Amwell Hill, the dogs had just put down +an Otter. Then, after a short greeting, Mr. +<span class='sc'>Venator</span> told him to ‘look down at the bottom +of the hill there, in that meadow, chequered +with water-lilies and lady-smocks, there +<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>you may see what work they make. Look! +look! all busy; men and dogs, dogs and men—all +busy.’ Then <span class='sc'>Piscator</span> declared; ‘he +was glad to see so many dogs, and more men, +all in pursuit of the Otter: let us compliment +no longer, but join unto them. Come, honest +<span class='sc'>Venator</span>, let us be gone, let us make +haste; I long to be doing—no reasonable +hedge or ditch shall hold me.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Was it Mr. Izaak said that?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ay, ay; quiet Mr. Walton, that +carries himself with so singular a sweetness and +temper—but he hath a cheerful spirit, and withal +a sweet instinct towards innocent recreations: +and so he was suddenly transported, and ‘longed +to be doing.’ Think how the meek angler +promised ‘no reasonable hedge or ditch should +hold him.’ I can almost think I see him now +with his staff, hasting to the bottom of the hill, +where ‘the men and dogs, dogs and men, were +all busy.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And tell me what they saw when +they got there?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> They met a Gentleman Huntsman, +that was cheering on his dogs to take the Otter; +so they enquired where he found this Otter; +and he replied, ‘Marry, Sir, we found her a +mile from this place a-fishing: she has this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>morning eaten the greatest part of this trout; +she has only left thus much of it, as you see, +and was fishing for more; when we came we +found her just at it: but we were here very +early, we were here an hour before sun-rise, +and have given her no rest since we came; +surely she will hardly escape all these dogs and +men.’ Then, after a short conversation, he +bade them follow him, for he saw the ‘Otter +above water at vent, and the dogs close with +him; I now see, he will not last long—follow, +therefore, my masters, follow; for Sweetlips +was like to have him at this last vent.’ Then +you may be sure they followed, and with a great +eagerness: then <span class='sc'>Venator</span> cried out: ‘Oh me! +all the horses are got over the river, what +shall we do now? shall we follow them over +the water?’ ‘No, Sir, no;’ (said the Otter-huntsman) +‘be not so eager; stay a little, and +follow me, for both they and the dogs will be +suddenly on this side again, I warrant you, +and the otter too, it may be. Now have at +him with Killbuck, for he vents again.’ Then +<span class='sc'>Venator</span>, having a natural propensity to all +kinds of sports with dogs, heartily exclaimed, +‘Marry! so he does: for, look! he vents in +that corner. Now, now, Ringwood has him: +now he is gone again, and has bit the poor +<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>dog. Now, Sweetlips has her; hold her, +Sweetlips! now all the dogs have her; some +above, and some under water: but now, now +she is tired, and past losing. Come, bring her +to me, Sweetlips. Look! It is a Bitch-otter, +and she has lately whelped. Let’s go to the +place where she was put down; and not far +from it you will find all her young ones, I +dare warrant you, and kill them all too.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Excellent! What a joyful and natural +confusion of the huntsmen! ‘<i>men and +dogs, dogs and men, all busy</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And after that they went to an honest +alehouse, where they had a cup of good +barley wine, and sang <i>Old Rose</i>, and so they +rejoiced together, and then bade farewell with +mutual good thoughts and wishes; and so honest +Mr. Walton and his scholar went to their +sport of angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Very pleasant! what a natural +sprightliness of manner in handling his subject! +and such masterly touches of art, that it is all +like an excellent piece of painting. But now +I have done my poor draught of the landskip, +so let us forward; methinks Dove-head is never +to come.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Patience, brother, for you have, ere +long, something more to see: and now we are +<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>passed over the bridge back again into the county +of Derby, what do you think of this sudden +change in the river? There are high rocks and +crags on either side: some have been tumbled +down to the bottom in confused heaps, and +threaten they will block up the passage.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> This makes the Dove more fretful +and noisy, and rather than she will be detained +in this stony wilderness, she vaults over the +crags, and throws herself into a cascade underneath +the bridge.—But look to your feet; for +I like not this edge of the cliffs, that stand so +high. How now! there is another glen joins +itself; and, I declare, a rapid stream, as big, or +may be bigger than the Dove, and to say the +truth, I know not which is our own river.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then make some guess before I declare +it to you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I cannot resolve you. Methinks +that to the right is more like to come from Derbyshire.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay, the left hand is our course; +the other water, that gushes in her channel with +so singular a steepness, is Cooper-Brook; and +if you listen, you may hear with what a sweet +harmony she welcomes the approach of her +future playmate, and pays her willing tribute +into the streams of the Dove, and is happy to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>change her own name for another and a better, +that is in so great esteem with all anglers.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Here is one of those spots of nature +that I love to behold. This is the noblest +architecture imaginable; for here are mountains, +and rocks, and valleys disposed in a wild +order, that is more excellent than the richest +ornaments of all Greece: nay, I will not make +an exception of the Parthenon at Athens, or +the great Colosseum in Rome;—nor the very +pillars of the gate, which was called Beautiful, +in the Temple at Jerusalem, nor all the once +glorious Palmyra are able to contend for nobleness +against these works of nature.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Which is not to be wondered at, +since those were builded by man; but the hills +have God for their founder: it is <span class='sc'>He</span> that +‘<i>weighs the mountains in scales, and the hills +in a balance</i>.’ <span class='sc'>He</span> it is that can make them +break forth into singing, or cause them to be +desolate; that can remove them into the depths +of the sea, as easily as He caused their highest +tops to be covered with the flood, when He +opened the gates of heaven.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And for that beautiful structure of +the Temple of Zion which was ornamented +with so many thousand talents of gold, and +refined silver and brass, and a number of all +<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>manner of precious stones, that Honourable +Mr. Robert Boyle says, was capable of impoverishing +the Indies,—and those cherubims overlaid +with gold within the oracle that stretched +forth their wings, so that the wing of the one +touched the one wall, and the wing of the other +cherub touched the other wall—where are they +now?—they are dispersed as a dream: but these +mountains shall remain till that hour, when +‘<i>the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, +and the elements shall melt with fervent heat</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And hath not <span class='sc'>He</span> declared, (whose +‘<i>coming</i>’ shall then be) that Solomon himself, +the builder of the first Temple, in all his glory, +was not arrayed like one even of those heathy +flowers you have in your hand? I beseech you +give me that bunch you have plucked, and +when I go home, I’ll dry them in a book, that I +may sometimes call back again to my mind this +happy day’s journey, and these sweet thoughts +amidst the springs of the Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Do so; and I am glad to think that +in this manner I shall live the better in your +memory.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Trust me for that, brother. But +we must not tarry; we must be away for Dove +Head.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am with you:—but here are more +<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>ups and downs than I expected; how long will +they last? for I begin to flag.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Cheer up, heart, and follow me; +and that I may beguile the length of the way +along these mossy slopes that are so soft under +foot,—and because you are won to the love of +angling,—I will perform my promise, and read +you that epistle of Mr. Cotton to Mr. Izaak +Walton.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I shall be charmed to hear it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then listen,—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c013'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Feb: y<sup>e</sup>. 13. 1676.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l c013'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘My deare and worthy Father,</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c014'>‘Supposing you (who are ever so constant +to your resolutions) to bee by this time return’d +to London, I venture to give you the +trouble of a letter to enquire how you doe, +and whether I may hope to see you here this +approaching summer: in truth I long for nothing +more than to see you, and therefore if +your affaires either invite you this way; or +will permitt you to bestow some time upon +your friends that love you, itt will, without +complement, bee as great a satisfaction to +mee, as I could allmost wish. In the next +place, give mee leave to enquire how my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>Lords Grace of Canterbury does, and my +Lord of Winton. The last of which was +every where in these parts so confidently reported +for dead; that in earnest, I concluded +him so, till I received your last letter, which, +though you did not mention him in itt, assured +mee neverthelesse hee was still living, +otherwise I suppose you had had no businesse +at Farnham: your owne famyly I need not +so strictly to enquire after, because I know +you will tell me without asking, so that till I +shall againe heare from you, I have little more +to say, excepting to tell you y<sup>t</sup> I have here +enclosed sent you a ridiculous song I made +one day by the River side; that my Lady of +Ardglass is your servant, and joins with mee +in the request of seeing you here, together +with that old and constant truth, that I am, +and must ever bee, whilst wee two live,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c013'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Dear Father, Your most affectionate friend,</div> + <div class='line in8'>‘Sonne and Servant,</div> + <div class='line in16'>‘<span class='sc'>Charles Cotton</span>.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c015'>‘We are all here very well, that is now wee +begin to thaw again: for so nipping a winter +has not been for these many years, and yett +when the water was frozen up almost, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>only a small gullet open in the sharp of the +streams, I then killed several Graylings, 16, +17, 18, and 20 inches long with an Ash grub, +and no more than one single hayre, as severall +can witnesse; and that in their full vigour +and best season. My service I pray to Mr. +Daniell Sheldon; to whom by the next returne +of the carrier I will send some flies and +direct them to Sir Joseph Sheldon.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> A very pleasant cheerful letter, and +a sure witness to the love these two familiar +masters of angling bear to each other’s person.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I would we had that ‘<i>ridiculous +poem made one day by the River side</i>;’ which +was enclosed in it: but that was not in the possession +of my <i>Aldine Scholar</i>; and I am only +permitted to hope Mr. Walton hath treasured +it up with some others to be hereafter put forth +to the world in print.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> In a handsome ‘litel boke’—and +because you have shewn me how my master +will sometimes court the favour of the muses, it +may come to pass some May morning, when +they are angling together, the two poets shall +resolve to ask Mr. Richard Marriott<a id='r70'></a><a href='#f70' class='c011'><sup>[70]</sup></a> to print +<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>their verses in a happy conjunction.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That would be as worthy of our +perusal as the <span class='sc'>Shepherd’s Garland</span> <i>fashioned +in Eglogs</i>, by Mr. Walton’s honest old friend +Michael Drayton: and doubtless my Lord’s +Grace of Canterbury, who loves Mr. Walton +and his art of fishing, will have a pleasure to +affix his <span class='sc'>Imprimatur</span> <i>ex Ædibus Lambethanis</i>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And methinks Mr. Cotton, when +he commanded his service to Mr. Daniel Sheldon +and promised to send some flies to Sir Joseph +Sheldon, knew that Mr. Walton was on a +short visit to the Archbishop at Lambeth.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Or it might be at his palace in +Croydon?—but look you, there is the Dove, +down in the deep glen beneath; and though +she grows more diminutive, yet there are bright +rills that silently glide out of the mountains to +swell her little eddies and cascades——And +now, here is another turn in the path, and so I +have brought you to Dove-head.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! I’m rejoiced to hear it, +but how! I see no ‘<i>contemptible fountain that +I can cover with my hat</i>,’ but a tolerable +stream.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Patience, good brother—it is true +we are here come to the hamlet of Dove-head; +but for the source of the stream, you are to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>mount with me the side of this broad mountain, +that is called <span class='sc'>Axe Edge</span>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Alas the day! up this great mountain, +which is as high as Mont Blanc in Switzerland? +but much darker, I warrant you. +Well, Sir, if it must be so,—but I’m almost exhausted.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come, let me give you a helping +hand.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I thank you, but I’m too big-hearted +to yield me—so put on your manhood, and +stalk along; I’ll stem Broad Axe Edge with +‘heart of controversy.’ Heigh ho! now we +are up, and here is nothing I can see in the likeness +of a river.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Pardon me, for I may now wish you +joy; look to this side of you; here is the ‘contemptible +little fountain.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! and so there is—what a +marvellous little fountain! but it is a most clear +and pellucid stream.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And yet Mr. Cotton declares this +river ‘<i>from its head, for a mile or two, is a black +water, as all the rest of the Derbyshire rivers +of note originally are; for they all spring from +the mosses</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, I see no mosses hereabouts, +but a highland downy turf, and it is a pure and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>transparent rill.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, well; we may leave these nice +questions; only this is for certain, here is the +source of the river Dove—so let us sit and rest +ourselves.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> With all my heart, for I was never +so tired in my life, scrambling up and down these +moorlands:—I scarce thought my legs would +carry me so far.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Here down my wearyed limbs I’ll lay,</div> + <div class='line'>‘My pilgrim’s staffe, my weeds of grey.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is a good angler’s walk, I grant +you; and by the sun we are eight hours from +Alstonfields!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Come, then—where is the knack +of provisions?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Here it is, and I profess to you I am +both hungry and thirsty. There is a slab of +stone that covers the fountain will serve for a +table—and here is the well of water to cool our +Rhenish.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> So, so; it is all delightful: indeed +it all breathes of pleasure; let’s open the wallet, +and make ourselves joyful at the head of the +Dove. By the word of an angler, I mean to +throw away all cares and be light-hearted. +Come, Sir, your appetite is squeamish.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span><i>Angler.</i> Trust me, I’m quite hearty; and +here’s my service to you in a cup of wine.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> The same to you, and is not our +host a good caterer? with hunger for sauce, +this provision is fit for a king!—and I am now +able, on this wild moor, to be as happy as any +prince in Christendom.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And why not, if we have grateful +and contented hearts?</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>‘Sweet are the thoughts that savour of content,</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘The quiet mind is richer than a crown;</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Sweet are the nights in careless slumber spent;</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘The poor estate scorns Fortune’s angry frown.</div> + <div class='line'>‘Such sweet content, such minds, such sleep, such bliss,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Beggars enjoy, when princes oft do miss!’—</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>But come, Sir,—it is your turn for a song; so +please you begin.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, then, I’ll try my voice at a +song of George Withers:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Lordly gallants, tell me this,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Though my safe content ye weigh not,</div> + <div class='line'>‘In your greatness, what one bliss</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Have you gained that I enjoy not?</div> + <div class='line in6'>‘You have honours, you have wealth</div> + <div class='line in6'>‘I have peace, and I have health,</div> + <div class='line in6'>‘All the day I merry make,</div> + <div class='line in6'>‘And at night no care I take.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Bound to none my fortunes be,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘This or that man’s fall I care not;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>‘Him I love that loveth me;</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘For the rest a pin I care not.</div> + <div class='line in6'>‘You are mad when others chafe,</div> + <div class='line in6'>‘And grow merry when they laugh;</div> + <div class='line in6'>‘I that hate it, and am free,</div> + <div class='line in6'>‘Laugh and weep as pleaseth me.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>And now we’ll drink a health to our masters in +angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And let it be in a sip of clear water +from this fountain-head of the Dove, by way +of memorial.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, well, only a sip, and—after +that we’ll drink to them in better Rhenish.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> With all my heart.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Here’s to Mr. Walton and Mr. +Cotton.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> To Mr. Walton and Mr. Cotton! +And now, by your leave, I’ll grave the two first +letters of their names in cipher on this very +stone that is over the fountain.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How mean you?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Here are tools, I borrowed from our +host, for I had bethought me of this, and must +confess I purposed it in my mind, the last time +I travelled this way. So do you be busy in a +picture, and I’ll make a rude copy of the cipher +which is over the door of the fishing-house.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is an excellent conceit; and I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>hope Mr. Cotton may one day chance to hear +of this, and wonder at the unknown travellers +that hold him in so high esteem; and would he +might now see our mutual labours! Come, Sir, +lend me your steel, and I’ll light a pipe—so! +and now do you tell me something of this Axe +Edge which is as dark as a thunder-cloud, but +no more like an axe than I’m like a tree. Are +we now in the county of Derby or Stafford?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Which you please: for here you +may now stand with one foot on the county of +Stafford, and the other in Derbyshire; look +you, or I will rather say, listen; for you will +scarce hear, and cannot see the puny Dove that +now trickles out of the well under our feet, and +goes rustling through the long grass down the +side of the mountain; and nevertheless I may +tell you, she is big enough to divide the counties +one from another for many a long mile. +There: ‘<i>go thy way, little Dove</i>,’ and make +glad the thousand meadows that you have a +mind to visit in your rambles.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And, trust me, she shall receive the +applauses of many meek and happy anglers in +return for the pleasures she bestows on them. +But tell me something further, honest Piscator, +of this great mountain.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, then, you are to note, Axe +<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>Edge gives birth to many a trouty stream: and +if we had time to come at them, I could show +you some clear fountains, as the Goit and others; +but next to the Dove is the river Wye, that +flows down this mountain, till it comes to the +hot wells at Buxton, and after that, to Bakewell +and the noble hall at Haddon; and is thereabouts +made brighter than before by the Lathkill. +But see, here we have Mr. Walton and +Mr. Cotton’s initial letters twisted together in +cipher, and graved on the stone. I hope no +uncivil hand will untie the knot that joins them.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image230.jpg' alt='“Black-and-white woodcut of a carved stone fragment bearing the intertwined letters IW and CC.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I hope so too, for it is excellently +well graved, and a worthy tribute to our masters +at the very fountain-head of their favoured +Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And now for a song. Nay we must +be stirring, or we shall not find our way to +Alstonfields before dark.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Ah me! I had almost forgot: did +you say all the way back to Alstonfields? and +must it be? I know not if my legs will carry +me so far.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span><i>Angler.</i> Then you may use your best arguments +to persuade them; for I can tell you, +Axe Edge is a cold bed for travellers, and you’ll +find no house of entertainment by the way. +But, come, another cup, and then let us pack +up, and away with a good will. Sir, I pledge +you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, well! that’s a refreshing +draught, and I am with you, so do you lead on.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And I have something to tell you +for your comfort. I shall bring you by a near +path across these mountains to the other side of +the Great Crome; it is not half the distance +and for the greater part down hill.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That’s pleasant news; but now I’m +unconquerable; I’m fit for any thing.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come, then, bear away to the left; +and what say you to these ridges that are piled +up one after the other?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is all exceeding wild. These +mountains have a noble solemn look.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But let me think awhile: I have +some misgivings. I cannot resolve me which +is our nearest way; let us try this wild path to +the left.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, Master, if you have lost your +reck’ning over these Alps, we shall chance to +sleep under this ‘most excellent canopy, the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>air.’ But stay; what is yonder?—a lonely +cottage on the next brow. So fortune has +helped us at a pinch.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> ’Tis some poor peaceful shepherd’s +cottage; let us go forward and knock! Holloa! +within there!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Shepherd.</i> Who’s there? how now, my lads!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Good even, master: can you tell us +the way to Hartington?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Shepherd.</i> To Hartington, good gentlemen? +marry can I, ’twere strange else: old Racing +Harrison might bring you across these mountains +blindfolded, if need were.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Pr’ythee tell us, if we are to take to +the left hand?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Shepherd.</i> Ay, to the left, through yon slipstyle; +and mind to keep the Crome on your +right: but stay awhile; I’ll fetch my staff, and +go along with you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> We thank you: but first let us +offer you a cup of good wine; and if it please +you, I’ll put this cold pie on the settle at the +door, for supper, when you come back. And +now who’s for a pipe?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I—and all. Come, Master Shepherd, +try my Virginia.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Shepherd.</i> I thank you, gentlemen travellers; +and now this way, for the evening comes on.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span><i>Painter.</i> You seem to have a hearty old age; +you step like a yonker.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Shepherd.</i> Ay, Sir; the time has been, when +I was huntsman’s groom to the noble Earl’s +father, I could scale these hills from morning +till sunset, and tire down the stoutest buck.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Then you have served the great family +of Cavendish?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Shepherd.</i> That, Sir, has been my pride these +many a year, in peace and war. I followed the +Earl’s noble brother, General Charles, to Grantham, +and was close to him at the battle of +Gainsborough, when the rebel Noll forced him +and his unbroken Lincoln troop into a quagmire. +I myself heard him refuse quarter from +so seditious a crew, and saw him cast his blood +that flowed from his wounds into their faces, +and so he died as he lived, one of the most +loyal cavaliers and servants of the late king. +After that I was made ranger hereabouts: but +now I am three-score years, and some of the +ailments of age have come upon me; so I tend +my little flock of sheep, and pay my honourable +Lord a peppercorn for rent.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Are these lands hereabouts the Earl +of Devonshire’s?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Shepherd.</i> That are they for miles and miles. +He’s a little king in all this country, and a right +<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>royal master to old Racing Harrison. Now +look ye, Gentlemen, the path lies between these +two hills; and when you come to another slipstyle +at the bottom, you are to hold right on, +till you see stars twinkle through the hole in +the top crag of the Crome.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ay, now I remember. Thanks, +honest Shepherd, and good even to you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Shepherd.</i> Good even, young Gentlemen; +and will you please give an old man his license? +Ah! memory tells us youth is a slippery time; +and every step you take shall bring you nearer +or wider the way of heaven. We shall not +meet again on these hills; but when the last +trump shall sound, may we all be found with +the mark on our foreheads.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Amen to that pious wish. And +now a hearty farewell, and thanks for your safe +conduct. Trust me, we shall remember honest +<i>Racing Harrison</i> of the hills.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Shepherd.</i> I thank you, good Gentlemen; +and may peace be with you. Away! for night +draws apace.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Brother, there was something touching +in that old Shepherd’s parting words. But +see, we are now come behind the Great Crome.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Is it possible? and so soon! You +promised to make the way shorter, and well it +<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>is so; for those golden lights from the setting +sun bid good even to the landskip, and the valleys +are thrown into an opposition of deepening +shadows.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> ‘<i>En avant</i>’ is the word, seeing how +the evening closes around us.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Why, what a conjuror are you! +Sure we are come again to Glutton Dale, or +I’m mistaken?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The same; and here you will pass +into Stern Dale, and then by Crowdey Cote, +and Ludwell, where we are now arrived; and +so you are within a mile of Hartington.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Why, this is excellent! and now +methinks I see Hartington Church. Ho! ho! +I’m off my legs.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come, Sir, one more stretch, and +then we’re at home; so be a man;</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Jog on, jog on the footpath way,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And merrily hent the style a,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Your merry heart goes all the day,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Your sad one tires in a mile a.’<a id='r71'></a><a href='#f71' class='c011'><sup>[71]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Trust me, never was pilgrim gladder +to see the goal of his journey, than I shall +be to find myself at Alstonfields.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span><i>Angler.</i> Well, my good companion, we have +had a lusty walk, that’s true; and now give me +thine hand, for here we are come to our inn.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, my humble service to you +both. You must be weary.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Let me tell you, I’m nigh exhausted, +for I have never made such a march till +now; but every thing I have seen hath exceeded +my hopes; indeed, I am transported with +love towards your moorlands, and the River +Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> I am happy to hear you say so.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And now let us take a light supper, +and then to bed; for I see Mr. Marsh has prepared +a dish of trouts for us, so let me serve +you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I’m quite willing: for, to speak the +truth, I’m no less weary than yourself; and, +moreover, we have a long day before us to-morrow; +for our purpose is to sleep at Ashbourne.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Gentlemen, I shall be sorry to lose your +company. I wish I could detain you by the +Dove till Mr. Cotton’s return; and he’ll be +grieved to hear how he has missed the pleasant +acquaintance with such lovers of the angle.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And, I pray you, let him understand +‘<i>how we fished his stream by inches</i>,’ and do not +<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>forget our thanks to him for this liberty in his +absence.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And how we were enchanted with +the sylvan prospects about his house and grounds, +and all the ornaments in that temple of his, dedicated +to anglers.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sirs, you may depend I shall.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And, moreover, do you tell him how +we walked to Dove-head, and there graved on +a flat stone that covers the fountain, the first letters +of his and Mr. Walton’s names, in honour +of their mutual friendship.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Indeed!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Ay, as like as possible to the cipher +that is over the fishing-house.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And this out of respect to him and +Mr. Walton; and so he may find that inscription +any day he is willing to travel thither.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sirs, I am not able to express my thanks +for all your kind thoughts of my dear and honourable +master: and because you hold him in +this esteem, give me leave to present you some +serious verses he composed in the last days of a +cold winter; they are writ with his own hand, +and have never been in print.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay, Mr. Marsh, is it possible you +are in earnest?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, wait but a moment, and I’ll go +<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>fetch them.——</p> +<p class='c012'>And here they are at your service.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Indeed I may not rob you of such a +treasure.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, my heart is overpowered. Here +I have preserved them for two years past; but +you are welcome, and none so worthy to receive +them as a gentleman that entertains such +thoughts of the writer. They will be safe in +your good keeping, and I beseech you to take +them.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I know not what I should answer.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, they are freely yours.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> A thousand thanks, most kind and +worthy Mr. Marsh, for so precious a gift: it +shall be preserved as a memento of these happy +hours we have spent about Beresford Hall. +Look you, brother.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I wish you joy.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I am in haste to read them.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Pray do so. I long to hear them.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I perceive they are verses on</p> + +<p class='c009'>OLD AGE.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Why should fond man to his owne wrong,</div> + <div class='line'>A weary life seeke to prolong</div> + <div class='line'>By those detected cheats of art,</div> + <div class='line'>That only add unto the smart,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>The growing malady and paine</div> + <div class='line'>Of life, of which wee so complaine?</div> + <div class='line'>As if there could bee a new way</div> + <div class='line'>To make things prosper by decay;</div> + <div class='line'>As if a tree showld wider spread,</div> + <div class='line'>By loosing sap, its graceful head;</div> + <div class='line'>Or higher towards heaven shoot,</div> + <div class='line'>For being hollow att y<sup>e</sup> root.</div> + <div class='line'>Med’cine helps old men only so,</div> + <div class='line'>As burnings are allay’d by snow,</div> + <div class='line'>Which often makes us worse endure,</div> + <div class='line'>Cheating the paine itt cannot cure;</div> + <div class='line'>And to death only mends our pace,</div> + <div class='line'>As painting sooner spoiles a face.</div> + <div class='line in2'>But say wee could, when once grown old,</div> + <div class='line'>Our ruines by such props uphold,</div> + <div class='line'>Who would, to his own peace untrue,</div> + <div class='line'>His lease of misery renew?</div> + <div class='line'>The young, who in soft pleasures live,</div> + <div class='line'>May well solicite a reprieve,</div> + <div class='line'>When death does threaten, since they doe</div> + <div class='line'>Nothing but life and pleasure know.</div> + <div class='line'>But they to whom living alone</div> + <div class='line'>Is hourely execution,</div> + <div class='line'>Should not evade methincks the cure</div> + <div class='line'>Of all the doloures they endure.</div> + <div class='line in2'>What, when cold cramps our limbs invade,</div> + <div class='line'>When nature’s visibly decay’d,</div> + <div class='line'>When all our youthful vigour’s gone,</div> + <div class='line'>Sight, hearing, taste, complexion</div> + <div class='line'>Are fled, and faded, when all sence,</div> + <div class='line'>Nay worse, when all intelligence</div> + <div class='line'>(Which only human life does blesse)</div> + <div class='line'>Is turn’d into forgettfulnesse,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>Or sees but in a magic glasse,</div> + <div class='line'>The ayery fine young thing it was,</div> + <div class='line'>What is there then, O then I say,</div> + <div class='line'>Should make us longer wish to stay?</div> + <div class='line in2'>’Tis not the palsey, nor the gout,</div> + <div class='line'>The tissick, nor the numerous rout</div> + <div class='line'>Of ling’ring paines old men best name,</div> + <div class='line'>Which we can rationally blame.</div> + <div class='line'>Old age itself is the disease,</div> + <div class='line'>Whose wretched traine consists of these.</div> + <div class='line'>For as health, vigour, beauty, grace,</div> + <div class='line'>Gayetie, and disposednesse,</div> + <div class='line'>Make up its spritely equipage</div> + <div class='line'>T’ our morning and meridian age;</div> + <div class='line'>So is old age attended by</div> + <div class='line'>All sorts of paine and misery,</div> + <div class='line'>More faithful followers by farre</div> + <div class='line'>Than th’ other briske attendants are,</div> + <div class='line'>Who falsely with our fortunes fly:</div> + <div class='line'>These never leave us ‘till we dye.</div> + <div class='line in2'>Age is th’ effect: of time, and course,</div> + <div class='line'>In which, alasse, there’s no ressource;</div> + <div class='line'>Art, that is so ador’d, and great,</div> + <div class='line'>Can here but little glory gett,</div> + <div class='line'>Who, where faint nature does refuse</div> + <div class='line'>T’ assist, must needs her credit loose.</div> + <div class='line'>Physic itself, that sowv’raigne friende,</div> + <div class='line'>To humane kind must misse her end,</div> + <div class='line'>And short in her endeavour falls</div> + <div class='line'>With all her herbs and mineralls,</div> + <div class='line'>And but afflicts y<sup>e</sup> patient more,</div> + <div class='line'>In weak’ning what shee can’t restore.</div> + <div class='line in2'>Cease then, old man, thy fate t’eschew,</div> + <div class='line'>As youth has had, give age itt’s due,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>Lye downe, and dye, and so make roome</div> + <div class='line'>For him whose turne ’tis next to come.</div> + <div class='line in24'><span class='sc'>Charles Cotton.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> They are excellent verses; but of +a melancholy cast.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The best of us will sometimes be +oppressed with sad forebodings. Mr. Marsh, +you have laid a lasting obligation on me.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, not another word, I beseech you; +but if I might make so bold, I have one request +to make of this gentleman who is so skilful a +limner.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> What is it? for trust me it is already +granted, if it’s within my poor ability.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, it is that I might have a design of +my master’s fishing-house, in black and white, +from your pencil.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Most willingly, and I’m happy to +make any return for your civility to my brother.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, I thank you; and here is an ancient +letter of my late mistress, Mr. Cotton’s +mother, that she once writ to the steward at the +Hall; and perhaps this gentleman will read it +aloud: and it is quite at your service, if you +will be pleased to accept it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed, I am greatly beholden to +you. Now, brother, do you read the letter, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>and I will draw a copy of the fishing-house out +of my blank book.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> With all my heart—here it is:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-l c013'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘<span class='sc'>Honest Will</span>,</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c014'>‘I wonder I heard not from you the last +weeke. I send you an accompt of my wants: +pray get so much money as you can, and +brew the half-hogshead of strong beare, and +put it into the little house’ (<i>that is the Flambeaux +Tower you saw</i>) ‘and one hogshead of +small, which will require four strikes of mault, +2 for the strong, and 2 for the small: and +I desire your wife to doe me the favoure as +to brew them herselfe; remember to do it +speedylie before hott weather comes, for I +shall be verie speedily in the countrie. Send +me Jack’s height, that I may buy his coats +fitt, and the height of my owne chambre, that +I may fitt my bed. Desire your wyfe to looke +in the trunke where my work lies, and send +mee one that is fully finished, and one that +is not, of the quishions in Irish worke, and +the broad peece of quishion canvis, 2 yards +broad that is unwrought; let mee know how +my garden grows, and tell John Gardiner +that if I do not finde my gardens in ample +maner when I come, that hee and I shall not +<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>bee friends: bid him send word if he would +have any thing sent down for them. Mr. +Upton remembers him to you and your wife, +and desires to know whether his meare bee +brought in bed or noe, and I desire to knowe +how my black damsell doth; pray get your +own horses in good case, in case I send for +you, or you are to meet mee: remember mee +to all my friends, but especially to John Hayes, +John Basset, Dic Ball, and tell him I will +bring his cognizance with mee. Let us get +the blew coate where wee can; desire your +nephew to looke in my trunk of books, and +there you shall finde a large booke in writing +with a parchment cover, blotied on one side +with inke towards the nooke of it, its of preserving +& conserving, & send it up by this +bearer, by whome I think I shall send you +further newes of my coming downe, if Mr. +Parker be not the cause; but however doe +what I have desired. Send me word what’s +become of that gratious elfe Pud; so I rest,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c013'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Your loving M<sup>ris</sup></div> + <div class='line in4'>‘<span class='sc'>Olive Cotton</span>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l c013'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘my blessing to the two</div> + <div class='line'>comrades that keepe the</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>rabbits, Jack & Bilburd.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'>‘Maye the 19<sup>th</sup></div> + <div class='line in8'>1650.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c013'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘For my trustie servant</div> + <div class='line'>William Grindon at</div> + <div class='line'>Beresford, this with</div> + <div class='line'>care & speede</div> + <div class='line in4'>Staffordshere.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> What a primitive kindness of nature +there is in every line. I declare to you, +brother, it is more deserving to be treasured +up in an angler’s cabinet than those Latin epistles +I have seen of famed Mistress Anna Maria +Shurman.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is the letter of a careful and benevolent +mistress.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Ay, Sirs! and that she was indeed. +Alas! if she had lived long enough, it had been +happier for Mr. Cotton. But she was snatched +away, like a too delicate flower, as she was.<a id='r72'></a><a href='#f72' class='c011'><sup>[72]</sup></a> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>Will it please you, Sir, to receive this letter? +for I have some others by me.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I thank you heartily, Mr. Marsh, +and I may not decline a kindness so freely +offered; and here is my copy of the fishing-house, +which is not worthy to be called a return +for such a gift.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Host.</i> Sir, my humble duty and thanks to +you, and if ever you come this way again, and +it please God I live, you shall then find this +natural view of the fishing-house glazed and +hanging up over my parlour chimney.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, I hope some happy day we +may all meet here again: and so let us to bed, +and pleasant dreams to every one.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image245.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='c005 figcenter id002'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span> +<img src='images/image247a.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 id='V' class='c006'>CHAPTER V.<br> <i>The return of the</i> Angler <i>and</i> Painter <i>to</i> Ashbourne, <i>through</i> Dove Dale.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><i>Angler.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='c009'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage247b.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Well, brother, now we are come +over the river into Derbyshire, and +are arrived under Wolfscote Hill, +tell me what you thought of our +honest host at Alstonfields, and his charges.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I know not which to admire most, +the good cheer and beds that he gave us, or +the moderateness of the score. There we have +lived like brave gentlemen for three days, and +been most civilly and handsomely treated, and +the charge was no more than I have paid for a +day’s reckoning at an inn in Westminster.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> If I may speak my real thoughts, +I have not met a more modest and decently +behaved man than Herbert Marsh; so I shall +make honourable mention of him to all my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>friends that come to these parts, and recommend +them to take up their lodgings at the +King’s Head.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And so will I. But whither are +we going?—what a desolation is here!—I wish +we might return to that Vale of Tempe, by +Beresford Hall, and Mr. Cotton’s fishing-house: +for now, we are scarce come a mile, and you +have only bald hills, with rubble stones that +hang on the sides.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It might all seem to be a dull kind +of place, but for the windings of the Dove, +that hurries fretfully away from this dreary region, +‘<i>which she would not touch but for necessity</i>;’ +and for her sake, I beseech you, excuse +the want of other graces hereabout: for, trust +me, by and by you shall find some master-pieces +of nature’s work. So let us follow whither +she leads the way: and now we are come to +Bigging Dale, that has the variety of some tufts +of wood, and pointed crags.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I see no beauties to marvel at; but +I will put on my matter’s patience:—and see,—here +are cobbling stones across the river, that +will give us a change, and a passage into Staffordshire.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> If you will be advised, we shall do +better on this side.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span><i>Painter.</i> As you please. But look: yonder +is a pair of water-birds, dabbling down the +stream before us. I hope they are Alciones, +that is, our native king-fishers; or, as some will +call them, Hoop-birds.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is an even lay they are water-ousels; +for you may always find them up and +down about the Dove: nevertheless, they are +hard to come at. But wherefore desire to have +them Halcyons?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Because I have a singular regard for +those birds, knowing them to be an emblem and +prognostic of calmness; and I am sure, these +days I have enjoyed you on the brink of the +Dove have been ‘Halcyon days’ for me. How +does the Sicilian mariner rejoice during the +time of the Alcyons sitting on their nests! for +then, as Pliny writes, the sea is not so boisterous, +but more quiet than at other times. And yet, +you are to note, this bird is prohibited to the +Israelites, as unclean, in the book of Leviticus, +wherein it is rendered as the Lapwing; but this +learned Sir Thomas Browne declares to be a +mistake. And the reason for this divine prohibition +is ‘the magical virtues ascribed unto it +by the Egyptian nation; for they so highly +magnified the Halcyon in their symbols, they +placed it on the head of their gods; and Orus, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>their hieroglyphic for the world, had the head +of a Hoop-bird upon the top of his staff.’ And +I may tell you certain other peculiars of this +famed water-fowl;—as that they make their +nest, and hatch their young, in the middle of +winter; and this nest they build so as it may +float on the waves; and because Providence +instructs every moving creature with a secret +instinctive wisdom, they will fasten it to some +rock or border of the sea, by an artful slender +line, that the changing tides may not carry it +away from home.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come, my brother, you are poetical; +you do but magnify the nature of your Halcyons, +and amuse me with pleasant fables.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, Sir, that is their own contrivance, +and none of mine; and you may believe +Aristotle and Basilius, when they declare that +the tempestuous winds are hushed into silence, +and the angry sea is becalmed, for fear they +should give any disturbance to this friend of +mariners, whilst they nestle their young ones. +And a learned Augustine<a id='r73'></a><a href='#f73' class='c011'><sup>[73]</sup></a> monk aptly compares +this Halcyon to the Saviour of mankind, who +hath no sooner taken up His place in the soul, +than all the swelling billows of this world’s +<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>storms are changed into a holy quietness. There +is no longer any threatening of calamity, but a +sublime confidence: then the lowering clouds +pass away before the beams of the glorious <i>Sun +of Righteousness</i>, and the pleasant gales breathe +nothing but peace and joy. Then the believer, +holding faith and a good conscience, meets with +no shipwreck; for Jesus ‘<i>maketh the storm a +calm, so that the waves thereof are still</i>;’ then +the Christian mariners ‘<i>are glad because they +be quiet: so He bringeth them to their desired +haven</i>.’<a id='r74'></a><a href='#f74' class='c011'><sup>[74]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Oh! that the Heavenly Halcyon +might be ever with us, to impart unto our unquiet +thoughts His own divine calm! Then the +tempestuous whirlwind of our passions should +be silenced, and we made capable to enjoy that +promise—‘<i>Peace I leave with you, my peace I +give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I +unto you.</i>’<a id='r75'></a><a href='#f75' class='c011'><sup>[75]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And thus be prepared for the immortal +joys laid up in store for the humble soul.—But +here again you may mark them flitting +away before us;—and now they are alighted on +that great stone in the middle of the stream.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I see them; and I may tell you, for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>certain, they are water-ousels. Now would I +give two ducats for a gun! for a dear friend of +mine, who is an angler, and has a fancy for all +kinds of birds, and is acquainted with their nature, +and feathers, and notes, desired me to +bring him home a water-ousel, if I chanced to +meet one, that he might set it in his museum of +stuffed birds. And there is nothing in moderation +I would not do to pleasure him; he is +such a civil, honest brother of the angle.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> As namely?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> He is one you have an acquaintance +with.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Pr’ythee his name, if he be a meek +angler.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, then, I may tell you, Francis +Mieris, whom I have heard you declare to be +one of the choice painters of Holland, bears the +same initials.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! then I can unravel your +enigma: it is your most worthy kinsman, bound +to you not more by a near affinity than an ancient +friendship,</p> + +<div class='figcenter id004'> +<img src='images/image252.jpg' alt='F. M.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>that is, or ought to be, somewhere in Oxfordshire: +not many miles distant from Fair Rosamond’s +Bower in Woodstock Park.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span><i>Angler.</i> The same: and if he had lived there +some fifty years agone, he had been as deserving +to receive the dedication of <span class='sc'>The Secrets of +Angling</span>, <i>teaching the choicest tooles, baits, and +seasons, for the taking of any fish, in Pond or +River</i>, as Mr. Roger Jackson’s ‘worthy and +respected friend, Mr. John Harborne of Tackley, +in the county of Oxford, Esquire:’<a id='r76'></a><a href='#f76' class='c011'><sup>[76]</sup></a> but +that he hath been reserved to these times is one +of the joys of my life, for he is a staunch and +trusty friend, that will stand by a man in the +day of his troubles.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> But I knew not he was a lover of +angling?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Marry is he: and since you are become +one of our fraternity, I could desire you +no greater pleasure than to sit by the side of a +river in his company, and hear him make a +choice of passages out of Mr. Walton’s book; +and he especially loves that innocent conversation, +and those songs of the milkmaid and her +daughter; which I hold to be a more rural and +engaging picture of primitive manners, than is +to be found in any writing:—I will not make +an exception of brave Sir Philip Sydney’s Arcadia; +or Will Shakspeare’s “Lover’s Lament.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span><i>Painter.</i> I wish that friend were here—what +pleasures he would find in Dove Dale!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ay, and next to that I wish I now +had a letter he wrote me some days before I +left my house, that I might give you the perusal +thereof; it was about an Otter hunt he saw +near to Guy’s Cliff in Warwickshire; and I +declare to you he pictured that Otter hunt to +my mind with all the naturalness of Mr. Walton, +when he met his friend <span class='sc'>Venator</span> at Amwell +Hill. And this I may tell you, he hath a +delicate hand on a fly rod, and knows more +secrets of angling than most others: and both +loves and endeavours the art of husbandry, +that is worthy of an English Gentleman’s practice—insomuch +he is acquainted with most of +Thomas Tusser’s ‘<i>Hundreth Good Pointes of +Husbandrie</i>.’——But we are entered into +Mill Dale—so now, if you please, we may pass +into Staffordshire by this bridge, over the river, +and then look out; for yonder you may see +something you have met before.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> What is that?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Why, Sir, have you forgotten the +Wheelbarrow Bridge? and there is Hanson +Toot on your left hand, and that slippery zig-zag +path which leads to Ashbourne.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And so it is indeed! there is the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>very spot where we caught our first brace of +trouts; but do not tell me we must part with +the Dove so soon.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Not for the world! but rather walk +to Ashbourne along the river, where we shall +find fresh occasions for pleasure and surprise +on both margins—so cross the bridge, and look +you do not tumble.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Trust me, ‘<i>I can go by myself</i>.’—Why +what a fine display of rocks! We have +met with nothing like them for boldness; they +are thrown about in a delightful confusion. +What natural arches are those cut in the cliff, +that falls perpendicular into the dell,—and yonder +high pinnacle which stands alone on the +other side?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> These are called the ‘Dove Holes,’ +and that is dignified with the name of the +‘Shepherd’s Abbey.’—Now you are come to</p> + +<div class='figcenter id005'> +<img src='images/image255.jpg' alt='DOVE DALE;' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>now you see crags on crags of all shapes; and +the Dove grows more proud and swelling, +seeing herself to be ornamented with such landskips.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And that is not to be wondered at: +you are as good as your promise, for I declare +this is one of the most beautiful dales in all +<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>England. Let us tarry awhile, that I may +endeavour to sketch this delightful prospect as +a memorial. ’Twill be a day to speak of hereafter. +Every step I take I am more enamoured +of your river.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> See yonder rock, on the other side, +that has slipped from the mountain, and stands +out with a look of defiance.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And which are these to the left +hand?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> One is the ‘Steeple Rock,’ and the +other the ‘Watch-Tower.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> My pleasure is more than I can express. +Think of the nobleness of nature: what +tongue can articulate—what pencil can describe +these combinations of a grand design? O Sir! +think how God hath planted a paradise on earth, +for ‘bad man’ to refresh himself in; and times +and seasons, and woods and rocks, and rivers, +and the glorious sun in his tabernacle of the +heavens, all appointed for the delight of his +creatures; so that, turn whithersoever they will, +their eyes cannot look off from a miracle:—and +oh! why is it that our hearts are not attunable +to those high hallelujahs which are sung to the +sound of golden harps, from throne to throne, +by angels in heaven, who being ‘<i>arrayed in +white garments with palms in their hands, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>crowns of gold on their heads, sing the song of +the Lamb for ever</i>:’ this we know to be their +present glorious occupation; man only has no +desire for such a transporting joy: he will forget +God in the very midst of his great and marvellous +works. But I beg you pardon, Sir! +I was carried beyond myself by these river +prospects.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is all very enchanting, and begets +in a spiritual mind high thoughts of our Maker’s +goodness and glory; and now whilst you work +out your picture of the landskip, I’ll try to kill +a brace of trouts. And by and by, when we +are arrived lower down, we will recline ourselves +beneath a large flowering hawthorn tree +that I know of, and there you shall put out +your angle-line to fish for itself.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Agreed: and I have not seen a +river of so much promise.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Look how the water crisps over the +shelving rocks, and is thrown back into the +eddies; being, as Mr. Cotton says, ‘<i>so straightened +in her course between the rocks</i>,’ she has a +greater swiftness than ever.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well then, go you and fish downward, +and I will follow when I’ve made my +picture.——How now, Sir; how has it fared +with you?—tell me what luck.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span><i>Angler.</i> I have caught two brace of trouts +and a skipjack, that I put into the river again. +And now we are come to the great hawthorn +tree, that is worthy of note for its spreading +branches.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> So here let us rest our legs; and +now I hold you to your promise, that my angle +should fish for me at breakfast time; so, by +your leave, I’ll fit my tackling, that I may make +a trial underneath this broad cascade.——I +am prepared.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Now drop in your line slyly, and +beware you do not splash the water; and then +come back to me, and I’ll prepare breakfast, +which we have honestly earned by our two +hours’ walk. Then we may drink a cup merrily, +and sing songs in <span class='sc'>Dove Dale</span>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I have done as you bid me, and put +my quill in a secret place, where I promise myself +a trout.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Do not doubt it: and therein is the +great praise of angling,—that hope is not only +reasonable, but is enjoined upon them that practise +it; and but for that, angling might be a dull +recreation. And now recline yourself underneath +this hawthorn, and entertain your thoughts +with the prospects I have brought you to.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed, the delightfulness of all I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>see, cannot be expressed by words; and I beseech +you what great cavern is at the top of +that rock?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That is ‘Reynard’s Cave’—it is an +admirable contrivance of nature, and if you +please, we may clamber up, and pay master +Reynard a visit in his Hall.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You will not easily persuade me to +that; why, Sir, it is perpendicular!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, well; as you please—nevertheless +you would find no difficulty worth the +naming. And yonder is a rock called ‘Pickering +Tor,’ and that is the ‘Iron Chest:’—but +come, take your cup; and here is delicate meat, +so fall to’t.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is excellent—and now my service +to you and to that honest angler we both +know of—that meek friend of yours who described +the hunting of the Otter, near to Warwick, +with so eloquent a pen.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That is well remembered; and may +he never want opportunity to take his recreation +in a clear stream; and now once more; +for I must drink to another that I love as my +own soul—that ordained Priest of our Holy +Church, one of the ornaments and the delight +of Merton College in Oxford. I may not break +out into an eulogium that his disposition would +<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>rebuke, if he were present with us: but he cannot +deny me the joy to drink his health;—so +join with me!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Most gladly—fill up, Sir! Where +was he last heard of?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Near to the Rialto at Venice; but +he now walks in his leisure about the Colossæum +in Rome, or the Baths of Titus, or it +may be in Dionysius’s Ear at Syracuse, in Sicily; +for thither he purposed in his mind to go.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And I joy to think that, as in some +other concurrences, so in his travels he is like to +Sir Henry Wotton, who ‘<i>laid aside his books</i>’ +(that he loved so well) ‘<i>and betook himself to +the useful library of travel, and a more general +conversation with mankind, to adorn his mind +and to purchase the rich treasure of foreign +knowledge</i>.’ And this is declared of Sir Henry +Wotton, by Mr. Izaak Walton, in his life of +that excellent scholar. And may your, no less +learned and esteemed, kinsman have all his +wishes: for these I know to be full of moderateness, +peace and contentment, and to have +their beginning and ending in his blessed Master’s +service.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That is true: and so, here’s a distant +health to thee,</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>‘HENRICE, MI OCELLE,’</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>from the banks of Dove to Tiber.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Salveto! ‘<i>Henrice, mi ocelle.</i>’—</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> As Sir Henry Wotton was called +by that learned Italian <span class='sc'>Albericus Gentilis</span>, +and by divers of Sir Henry’s dearest friends, +and many other persons of note during his stay +in the University.<a id='r77'></a><a href='#f77' class='c011'><sup>[77]</sup></a>—And now, brother, do you +look and see if you have chanced to make a +catch.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How now?—my float has disappeared!—Trust +me I have a knabble—there is +a large trout has taken me. I thought that was +a likely fall—see how he turns and wriggles, +and how he throws off tuggingly. Here is an +angler’s delight! and all this on the margin of +the Dove!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Beware of him; thus—</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> By your leave, Sir! let me have +all the honour to myself: so, so—now he dives +down, and up again with a leap; look at his +twistings and turnings!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ay, he’ll soon give over. There, +now we may net him, and a fine fish he is; +not less than two pounds weight. What would +your master Walton say to this?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I hope he would applaud me.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span><i>Angler.</i> Come, try for another; this is a +likely hole. Look you, there’s another bite; +now check him—ah! he’s broke away.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Indeed he has: I’m sorry I lost him. +I’ll try again—look you! another!—now, Sir +tumbler, you may do your worst.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Point the top of your rod to those +cliffs; you are all right;—see how he shakes +the tackle, give him line, for he’s a strong fish.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Trust me, he’s bigger than the last; +the water is so clear you may see him struggle: +now he drives against the stream.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Turn him back, or you may lose him +behind that stone. ’Tis well done—‘<i>why what +a dangerous man are you!</i>’—here’s the net, +and now he is landed!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I thank you. This is a sport indeed! +O the contentment of happy anglers! +how many years I have lost since you first invited +me to go a-fishing: but I was then deaf +to your persuasions, and I would never believe +you. Well, I declare it hath a gayness that +is admirable. But come, I would not be so +selfish as to wish for more, until I see you +handle a trout.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well;—let us try lower down. But +first of all let us have a song; and do you begin.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> What shall I sing?</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span><i>Angler.</i> Let it be that sonnet to the spring in +Sir John Davies’s Astrea—‘<i>Earth now is green, +and heaven is blue</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well—and so it shall.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘E-arth now is green, and heaven is blue;</div> + <div class='line'>L-ively spring which makes all new,</div> + <div class='line'>J-olly spring doth enter;</div> + <div class='line'>S-weet young sunbeams do subdue</div> + <div class='line'>A-ngry aged winter.</div> + <div class='line'>B-lasts are wild, and seas are calm,</div> + <div class='line'>E-v’ry meadow flows with balm,</div> + <div class='line'>T-he earth wears all her riches;</div> + <div class='line'>H-armonious birds sing such a psalm</div> + <div class='line'>A-s ear and heart bewitches.</div> + <div class='line'>R-eserve, sweet spring, this nymph of ours,</div> + <div class='line'>E-ternal garlands of thy flowers,</div> + <div class='line'>G-reen garlands never wasting;</div> + <div class='line'>I-n her shall last our state’s fair spring,</div> + <div class='line'>N-ow and for ever flourishing</div> + <div class='line'>A-s long as heav’n is lasting!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I thank you, and now because you +have sung these cheerful verses, I’ll give you a +song, ‘apt both for viols and voices,’ by John +Wilbye.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Come then! and sing it finely.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I’ll do my best to please you.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Happy streams, whose trembling fall,</div> + <div class='line in2'>With still summer softly gliding,</div> + <div class='line'>Happy birds, whose chirping call</div> + <div class='line in2'>With sweet melody delighting,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>Hath moved her flinty and relentless heart</div> + <div class='line in2'>To listen to your harmony,</div> + <div class='line'>And set securely in these downs apart,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Enchanted with your melody.</div> + <div class='line in4'>Sing on and carol forth your glee,</div> + <div class='line in4'>She grants you leave her ‘rays to see.’</div> + <div class='line'>Happy were I could love so delight her;</div> + <div class='line'>But aye, alas! my love doth despite her.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i>—An exceeding sweet melody, and +I beseech you sing it over again; and after that +I shall be ready to go with you. So—I like it +even better than at first.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come now, let us pack up the wallet, +and take our walk.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am all ready. But what is here? +we are come to a stop.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Away with you: ’tis a sound footing +at bottom, and scarce knee deep.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Halt, good Sir; you do not expect +me to walk into the river.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> If you are resolved against it, here +you may stay; for you see how the river washes +the very basement of this perpendicular rock, +and climb you cannot. Come, Sir,——follow +me bravely: it is but ‘<i>a spit and a stride</i>;’ +or I’ll carry you mounted a pick-back.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> O! let it not be said. ‘What +man dare, I dare;’ so lead on, I’ll truss up my +hose, and be after you. Ah me! I was up to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>my knees; but now I am well past.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> If you will be a fisher, never fear, +for it is your proper element: but, Sir, did you +hear that trout by the further bank?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> You may be sure I did, and saw +him too.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well then, I must needs in and +wade, if I would twist my fly thither.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Trust me, I am not coming after +you. I find nothing of that in my master’s +book; he declares, ‘how the very sitting by the +river’s side is not only the quietest and fittest +place for contemplation, but will invite an +angler to it;’ and think you, he would bring +his scholar to sit under an honeysuckle hedge, +and express his cheerfulness when he reclined +himself on ‘the primrose bank,’ if he meant +him to wabble in the water? and I beseech +you, call to mind those thoughts of his, which +he turned into verse, ‘when he sat on the +grass, and there wished to meditate his time +away.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> ’Tis all very true; nevertheless, Mr. +Walton himself must at sometimes be contented +to wet his boots, if he would fill his pannier out +of the Dove; wherefore, delicate Mr. <span class='sc'>Pictor</span>, +I now leave you to meditate on the silent pleasures +of this flowery bank;</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>So sit you still,</div> + <div class='line'>And watch your quill,</div> + <div class='line'>While I the trout entangle.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> That will I do; and you may be +as big-hearted and get as wet as you list:—but +harkye, Sir; be not over-confident, or you may +haste only to stumble. Call to your remembrance +Mr. Boyle’s Treatise of ‘<span class='sc'>Angling improved +to Spiritual Uses</span>,’ how Eugenius, +having ‘<i>espied a convenient nook for his angling, +invited his friend Lindamor to share the advantage +with him, and began to walk thitherward +along the river’s brink? but he had not +marcht very far when chancing to tread on a +place, where the course of the water had worn +off the bank, and made it hollow underneath, he +found the earth faulter under him, and could not +hinder his feet from slipping down with the turf +that betrayed him.</i>’<a id='r78'></a><a href='#f78' class='c011'><sup>[78]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I do remember: and if that should +chance to be my predicament, I hope you would +have the civility of Lindamor, that ‘<i>catcht hold +of him, and drew him to the firm land</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> O Signor Pescatore, doubt not my +charity, though I might not deny myself the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>same liberty that Honourable Mr. Boyle took +with his friend Eugenius, ‘<i>to make himself merry +a while with the disaster when he found it to +be harmless</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well—well, Sir, I give you leave; +and let him laugh that wins, I am not afraid of +a somersault if a good fish chop at my fly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Farewell then: and I’ll go lower +down and please myself.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ay, good brother, do so; and pr’ythee +reach me the landing net before you go.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> There it is, and I wish you may +have sport.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Look you, Sir; I have a fish; ’tis a +small one, I grant you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Do you call that a fish? he’s a +piccolo—a pisciculus;—and listen—methinks I +heard him speak.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Speak? mayhap thou takest him to +be ‘<span class='sc'>Vox Piscis</span>, or the <span class='sc'>Book-fish</span>, contayning +three treatises which were found in the belly +of a Cod-fish in Cambridge market on Midsummer +Eve last.’<a id='r79'></a><a href='#f79' class='c011'><sup>[79]</sup></a> And since thou art so imbued +<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>with fish-learning, I beseech you to tell me +whether this be a trout, or what other fish I +have caught?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I know not if it be the <i>Dog-fish</i>, +the <i>Sea-calfe</i>, the <i>Porpus</i> or <i>Hog-fish</i>, or the +<i>Asse-fish</i> called in Latin <i>Asellus</i>:—or perchance +it may be the <i>Monk-fish</i>—the <i>Mere-man</i> or the +<i>Mermaid</i>: all which I remit to your better +judgment. But listen, I say; for though I am +not so wise a philosopher as Æsop, I have, methinks, +suddenly imparted to me his noted intelligence +of fishes’ language, and certes I hear +this one speak.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well then, will it please your marvellous +wisdom to be our mutual interpreter, +and give me the substance of this learned fish’s +soliloquy?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is no soliloquy; for his address +is to yourself,—and seeing (or it may be feeling) +how you are taking the hook out of his gills +<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>with a most relentless love, and are going to put +him into your basket, he opens his mouth, and +in a pathetical voice implores your pity, making +his humble suit that you would be pleased to +throw him into the river again,—by reason he +is young and insignificant, and not so well worth +your while as he shall be some time hereafter, +<i>if</i> you catch him when he is grown more considerable.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Oh—ho! Go to—Go to—thou art +a wag; and I beseech you give my duty to him +in the same learned hidden language which he +hath so eloquently pleaded in; and tell him I +am not one of those fools who quit a certainty +for an uncertainty;—and that a ‘fish in the +pannier’s worth two in the pond.’ But stay—because +he is a grayling, and not a trout, I’ll +e’en put him in again, and let him grow till +Christmas for Mr. Cotton’s amusement. But +now look you, brother, saw you that great fish +leap from the water?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I did; he looked as big as a salmon; +give him the temptation of your fly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Trust me. There he is, I have him +fast. So, so, Master Bullyhuff, you are not like +the last; you are for a hard bout, I see. Ah, +ah! this is a trial of strength, and I fear for my +tackling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span><i>Painter.</i> In with him, Sir.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay, let me be gentle. Look you, +that was his last struggle; there he lies his length +on the water. So, I have him, and he is full +eighteen inches long. Well, Mr. Painter! what +say you now to my Dove?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I declare to you it is all a bewitchment: +my tongue is ready to praise every next +turning of the river more than the other; and +I scarce know which to like best, this angling, +or the landskips. Look you! there again are +rocks springing up like steeples on this side, and +on that: it is all full of surprises.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Those rocks are called the ‘Tissington +Spires;’ for that retired village lies but the +distance of a walk to the left, passing through +Bentley that you know of; and here are two +rocks that have slided from the cliff, and have +thrust themselves into the river; they are known +to be ‘The Brothers,’ and so I have brought +you within a view of Thorpe Cloud.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Is that Thorpe Cloud?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> None other, believe me.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, I declare! he is more changeable +than a Proteus; for here he looks like a +beheaded cone.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And now, brother, you are come towards +the end of the Dale.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span><i>Painter.</i> Tell me not this sad news: I may +not believe it! or if it be true indeed, let us recline +ourselves on these banks by the stream, +and meditate for an hour or two, and angle and +sing, and angle again; and after that beguile the +time with some passages out of Mr. Walton’s +book. Or, if we must needs depart, let us first, +‘<i>sit down by the waters, and hang our harps +upon the willows, and weep</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I am charmed to think how these +sweet prospects have engaged and fixed your +affections; and how you are now become a professed +angler, and how at some future time you +may desire to take another walk on the banks of +my River Dove. But, I beseech you, climb +with me to the top of this accessible rock, that +is called by the country folk here about, ‘The +Lover’s Leap:’ there you may look back on +an upward prospect of the Dove, that is more +remarkable than any other you have seen. And +after that, you shall explore some quiet nooks +and corners by other streams, and hear something +marvellous I have to tell you of.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, I am content to follow your +footsteps wherever you are pleased to lead me.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And now we have scrambled up, +let us sit on the grass, and tell me what you +think?</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span><i>Painter.</i> I know not what to think or say. +Where shall all these wonders end! here is one +of the most enchanting surveys that this or any +other county in England can exhibit.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Do you observe how the Dale is +drawn out to the greatest length possible? for +passing back again by those ‘Tissington Spires,’ +and the two ‘Brothers,’ and the rocks above +‘Reynard’s Cave,’ the eye may look almost as +far as ‘the Shepherd’s Abbey;’ and all the way +along, an exceeding number of pellucid waterfalls, +and other varieties of the river make this +vale an excellent subject for contemplation.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And the cliffs on either side of the +valley are adorned with shady woods, and a singular +combination of natural beauties.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come then, good brother, let us go +down again, and take our walk along the stream +to the right hand, as it flows between Thorpe +Cloud and that opposite hill; and here are +some leaping stones, where we may now cross +into Staffordshire, and part company with our +Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I am sorry to hear it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> But only for awhile, till we light +on her again in some meadows lower down, and +then find her swelled by other rivers that may +pass for wonders.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span><i>Painter.</i> Indeed! but what is here? Marry, +Sir, I thought not to come again so quickly to +the Dove; methinks she has taken us unaware.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> This is not the Dove, but the river +Manifold; and now do you follow me to the +left hand, where I may bring you to a most +shady retired spot imaginable.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How! another rapid spring, that +suddenly starts into life, and in a few yards is a +handsome stream! Let us recline ourselves +here awhile.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I am quite willing; and methinks, +for a near sylvan prospect, we have seen none +better since we left Pike Pool; for here you +have a thick grove of trees, and such a calmness +as makes it a most enchanting retreat; and +the murmuring waters of this infant brook, with +their harmonious cadency.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And see how the river Manifold +hurries away, rejoicing as it were in her liberty.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And let me tell you, with greater +reason than you know of.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How mean you?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Of that hereafter; but see, there are +the lowing cattle come from the meadows to +drink; therefore, I beseech you, compose them +into a landskip.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span><i>Painter.</i> You shall see presently.——there——I +have given you the milkmaid’s mother, +with her milch kine, and there is ‘honest Maudlin’ +herself, who sung that sweet song to Mr. +Walton and his friend <span class='sc'>Venator</span>;</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Come live with me, and be my love,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And we will all the pleasures prove,</div> + <div class='line'>‘That valleys, groves, or hills, or field,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Or woods, and steepy mountains yield!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Bravely done! On my word, this +picture takes a breathing of life from your pencil;</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Where we will sit, upon the rocks,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And see the shepherds feed their flocks,</div> + <div class='line'>‘By shallow rivers, to whose falls</div> + <div class='line'>‘Melodious birds sing madrigals!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>not Claude Lorraine, nor Kuyp himself, could +surpass that whole picture, for it has the very +stamp of nature.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Enough, enough; let us be going, +and what have we here? A bridge, and a pretty +village with a little parish church! Where are +we come to?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I have now brought you to Ilam +Church: and see the door is haply open; so +let us accept this accidental invitation. And +now you are to note, this is the ancient tomb +of good Bertram, who there lies (so much of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>him as could perish) and waits for that joyful +day of the resurrection, when all the holy angels +and the spirits of saints shall meet the coming of +our Lord in the clouds of heaven.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And here is the carved altar that +may put the villagers in mind of the Supper of +the Lord, and instil into them an earnest desire +to partake of the Holy Communion, that they +may eat and drink, and feed on Him in their +hearts by faith,—and be thankful.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And see this old font in stone, which +hath a sacramental charm; for therein the people +from age to age have brought their sons and +daughters to be baptized into Christ’s flock, +and be regenerated, and made children of God +and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven. And +I may take upon me to say that all these things +make this church the centre-point of the secret +reverence and holy affections of the peaceful +villagers, lifting them up to a revelation of the +next world.——But, seeing how time wears +apace, I will conduct you forth again: and +now look at this high hill, shaped like an amphitheatre, +and beneath is the rocky bed of a +river.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> A river! why here is not a drop +of water to wet a fly’s wing!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That is true. I said not a river, but +<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>the bed of a river, and of such an one as, had +she a tongue, might declare many rarities she +has beheld, and dark doings of that prison-house, +where she was lately detained against her will: +nay, for any thing I know, she might have furnished +to that stern regicide, Mr. John Milton, +or the great Dante, some arguments for another +poem of the shades below.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> How! you are grown enigmatical.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Come, then, step with me to this +rock in Mr. Port’s garden: here is a well in the +rock;—so tell me what you see?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> I see a great stream pouring itself +out in circling eddies from the ground.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Now mark, that is the river Hamps; +and here she joins herself to another within a +few yards distance.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> A second stream! and bigger than +the first, bursts forth in a whirlpool!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> True; and you are to note this is +the river Manifold. See how joyfully she receives +that lesser Hamps, and then flows away +with her to the shady grove of trees, where you +and I so lately reclined ourselves. Trust me +they are glad to breathe the air once more, and +to play their gambols in the meadows, after their +long imprisonment; for it is a known truth, +these rivers have made an underground journey +<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>within the natural caverns of the earth, for some +miles distance.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Impossible! I would not be so +uncivil to disbelieve any thing you say; but as +touching your Staffordshire rivers, you take a +traveller’s privilege to be marvellous.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, well; I perceive you think +this to be all a fable; yet it’s no less true because +it is a wonder: for the last time I came +this way I examined into the nature of it; and, +as I am an honest angler, I saw the very inlet, +underneath some high rocks, about Whetton +Mill, where the waters of the Manifold are +gurged and lost to every eye: and the same of +Hamps, that is received into its Subterraneous +channels, near to a place called the Waterhouses. +And so they take their circuit through +mysterious secret caves and grottoes, which no +man has explored, till they make their happy +escape out of imprisonment into these gardens, +and, as you are now a witness, embrace with +mutual gratulations, and hurry themselves away +to tell their dark adventures to the matchless +Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, I am glad that is the place +of their shelter; and I am enchanted with this +romance of the rivers: for, indeed, all the surrounding +prospect is fit to be called a fairy land. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>There is Thorpe Cloud maintains himself +proudly, and this circle of opposite hills, and +the church, with its ancient porch and tracery +of windows, all of painted glass, beside Mr. +Port’s mansion-house, and his ornamental gardens.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is indeed all very fine; but it’s +time to be gone, so let us follow these rivers till +we are come to the bridge. See, here it is, and +now we may cross over and walk by the right +bank of the Manifold; and so we are once more +come to the stream that we both love better +than any.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Is this the Dove?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The same; she is just from the foot +of Thorpe Cloud, by yonder channel to the +right hand; and now that we are arrived at +this high bank, look again upon the landskip. +There the Manifold joins itself to the Dove, +and there are those meadows, which ‘are too +pleasant to be looked upon, but only on holidays;’ +and see the mountains that are now +darker than they were two hours agone, which +is our warning that we are not yet come to +Ashbourne; so thither away.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> As you please, brother; but remember, +on this only condition, that we walk +on the brink of the Dove, as far as we may.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span><i>Angler.</i> That is a short pleasure; for here is +another bridge will bring us into Derbyshire; +and now methinks I see Mapleton Church before +us; so we must take our farewell of Dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Alas the day!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, well; let us catch some trouts, +and then be going.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Ay, so we will. Look you, Sir, +my tools are fitted.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> So soon! then ply your work—each +for a brace.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is agreed. I will this way down +to the stream.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> So be it; and I for yonder bent, +where the water runs crisping.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Away with you! I’ll lay the odds +on Master Walton’s cork and bait, against Mr. +Cotton’s fly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Done—the wager?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> He that takes the first brace shall +mix a cup of good Canary at Mapleton, and the +other shall pay the scores without grudging.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> I am content—so do your worst—</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, good brother, what sport? I +have caught but one, and that’s a troutlet.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Indeed! look you, here is a couple +of big ones.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Ah! well—I’m but a prentice in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>the art: I confess I’ve lost my wager, and am +ready to pay the forfeit.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well: that’s like an angler, honestly +spoken—so let us away.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> But make me this promise, that +we may (God willing) come hither again, next +summer, a-fishing; and so read that book of +Mr. Walton, whom I love better than ever I +did, because you have taught me how many +pleasures are to be found in his recreation of +angling.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Trust me, I shall want no persuasion +to walk in your company by the Dove, +in the merry month of May, and then do nothing +but angle and rejoice, as you know we +have done these last days, and ‘sat as quietly +and as free from cares, under hawthorn trees +and rocks, as Virgil’s Tityrus and his Melibœus +did beneath their broad beach tree:’ so says +Mr. Walton; and now let me read you these +natural thoughts out of his book.—Here it is: +‘No life, my honest scholar, no life so happy +and so pleasant as the life of a well governed +angler; for when the lawyer is swallowed up +with business, and the statesman is preventing +or contriving plots, then we sit on cowslip +banks, hear the birds sing, and possess ourselves +in as much quietness as these silent silver +<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>streams, which we now see glide so quietly +by us. Indeed, my good scholar, we may +say of angling, as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries, +“Doubtless God could have made a +better berry, but doubtless God never did;” +and so (if I might be judge,) God never did +make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation +than angling.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Every word is true. And what a +thankful heart my master has!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ay, truly; and hear how he persuades +every man to thankfulness; he said to +his companion, ‘Let us not forget to praise God +for the innocent mirth and pleasure we have +enjoyed since we have met together. What +would a blind man give to see the pleasant +rivers, and meadows, and flowers, and fountains +we have looked upon, since we met together!’ +And now we are come to Mapleton, +and here’s a clean alehouse; and the host is a +modest man, and hath a fine smooth bowling green; +so before we go back to Ashbourne, let +us rest awhile, and refresh ourselves with the +cup you are to pay for. Come, host, bring us +a bottle of that Canary wine you gave me the +last time I was this way in company with a +gentleman fisher; and remember the lemon +stuck round about with spices, and some of that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>sweet cake, that we may be merry with discretion, +as all true anglers are wont to be. There +is a large trout for our civil hostess, with my +service to her. And now, brother, let us walk +into the garden, that is so neat and handsome; +here you have a various herbal, fit for a country +house-wife, like our hostess: here is hyssop, +marjory, and penny-royal, and thyme, and all +kinds of fruit-trees.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> It is all very good, and here is the +bowling ground; it looks like a green velvet. +Look, how exceeding smooth;—how the bowls +glide along! Where is the jack? Come, let us +play at bowls till the Nectar is ready.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Agreed: there, I have set the jack; +now do you bowl first.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, after you; so, so, master, you +are short of the jack: look, look, mine is the +nearest.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Nay, it is a measuring cast; but here +goes one will overlay him. Pish! I have shot +him over wide—he had an untrue bias.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, then; here’s another.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That was curiously pitched: now for +a last endeavour. Ah, me! that has knocked +your first bowl to the jack: I am sure he was +wrong biassed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, I thank you; and so, let me +<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>try this;—and now another.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> The game is yours.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> And here comes the host. Let us +have our repast under this yew tree, that is not +less than a hundred years old; here is a table,—and +settles ready prepared.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> With all my heart, for it seems a +pleasant arbour. Come, Sir, fill the glasses.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> The liquor is exceedingly good: +and this even Mr. Walton and Mr. Cotton +would declare, if they were cup-and-can with us. +I doubt not but they are acquainted with this +‘<i>honest alehouse</i>,’ and have rested themselves +on these settles, after a day’s fishing in the +Dove, and been refreshed with a cup of good +barley wine, and sung <i>Old Rose</i> together, and +played at bowls on this green turf. Do you +remember that bowling ground by the Tower? +Think what a choice prospect was there! On +one side the fishing-house, and on another the +mansion that we looked over so pleasantly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> That was indeed a charming prospect! +Then have you forgot the flower garden +at the foot of the Tower, and Mr. Walton’s and +Mr. Cotton’s portraits, and all the landskips in +the fishing-house, which you painted in your +book; and after that Pike Pool, where you +landed that big trout; and the great Hall, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>your master Walton’s chamber?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> No more, no more,—lest I forget +all discretion, and, retracing my footsteps, hie +me back to Beresford. O! that place is a +delight for innocent anglers. There a man is +raised to an excess of pleasure; he may go +forth in the morning and hear the birds ‘warble +forth their ditties:’ the rocks, and the woods, +and the merry streams are the books he reads +in; the sun, and the clouds, and the wind are +his oracles to consult; and the speckled trout +is his play-fellow, that makes her gambols and +her somersaults for his entertainment. Call you +this an idleness? It were a pretty treason to +deny that it is the most refined, gentle, and gaysome +recreation that a man may indulge in; +that is to say, for his leisurable hours,—since +only then it may be reasonable.——</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Hey day, Master! not so fast; ‘a +man need to have the patience of Job, that +he may sit silently by the river, and look down +at nothing but his float.’<a id='r80'></a><a href='#f80' class='c011'><sup>[80]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Nay, did I say that?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> ‘Nevertheless, I cannot but pity +your dumpish anglers, that wait so meekly for +their fortunes, as to seem fixed with all the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>gravity of carved statues on the margin of +their streams<a id='r81'></a><a href='#f81' class='c011'><sup>[81]</sup></a>——’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Enough, enough; I said that in ignorance +of the joys of anglers. I will never +be a scoffer again; and I beseech you to blot +those words from your memory, and note me +down your willing companion this way a-fishing, +every year that God gives us health for +such a sweet walk in the month of May. For +remember, this life is short, and is not in our +own hands; ‘<i>it is as a flower of the field that +fadeth</i>:’ and what says Mr. Robert Herrick, +whose verses you both love and sing so well?</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Fair daffodils, we weep to see</div> + <div class='line in2'>You haste away so soon;</div> + <div class='line'>As yet the early-rising sun</div> + <div class='line in2'>Has not attain’d his noon:</div> + <div class='line in8'>Stay, stay</div> + <div class='line in4'>Until the hast’ning day</div> + <div class='line in8'>Has run</div> + <div class='line in4'>But to the even song;</div> + <div class='line'>And having pray’d together, we</div> + <div class='line in4'>Will go with you along.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>We have short time to stay, as you,</div> + <div class='line in2'>We have as short a spring,</div> + <div class='line'>As quick a growth to meet decay</div> + <div class='line in2'>As you, or any thing.</div> + <div class='line in8'><span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>We die,</div> + <div class='line in4'>As your hours do; and dry</div> + <div class='line in8'>Away,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Like to the Summer’s rain,</div> + <div class='line'>Or as the pearls of morning dew,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Ne’er to be found again.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>But come, brother, you must make me a return +for these lines; and then let us be going, +for I have appointed a servant with my horses +to meet me in Ashbourne, that I may reach my +house at —— —— to-night.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Well, then, if I give you a plaintive +ditty, put it to the account of our parting: it is +that sweet sonnet from the Passionate Pilgrim, +composed by the greatest bard of the last or any +other age.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>As it fell upon a day,</div> + <div class='line'>In the merry month of May,</div> + <div class='line'>Sitting in a pleasant shade,</div> + <div class='line'>Which a grove of myrtles made;</div> + <div class='line'>Lambs did leap, and birds did sing;</div> + <div class='line'>Trees did grow, and plants did spring.</div> + <div class='line'>Every thing did banish moan,</div> + <div class='line'>Save the nightingale alone.</div> + <div class='line'>She, poor bird, as all forlorn,</div> + <div class='line'>Lean’d her breast up-till a thorn;</div> + <div class='line'>And there sung the dolefull’st ditty,</div> + <div class='line'>That to hear it was great pity.</div> + <div class='line'>Fie—fie—fie—now would she cry,</div> + <div class='line'>Teru, Teru, by and by.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>That to hear her so complain,</div> + <div class='line'>Scarce I could from tears refrain:</div> + <div class='line'>For her griefs, so lively shown,</div> + <div class='line'>Made me think upon mine own.</div> + <div class='line'>Ah! (thought I) thou mourn’st in vain,</div> + <div class='line'>None take pity on thy pain.</div> + <div class='line'>Senseless trees they cannot hear thee;</div> + <div class='line'>Ruthless beasts they will not cheer thee;</div> + <div class='line'>All thy fellow birds do sing,</div> + <div class='line'>Careless of thy sorrowing.</div> + <div class='line'>Even so, poor bird, like thee,</div> + <div class='line'>None alive will pity me.<a id='r82'></a><a href='#f82' class='c011'><sup>[82]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>And now, good brother, it is almost time to be +at home.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well—I’ll pay the reckoning, and +then let’s away: but what is here?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> We are come again to a lower part +of the same Bentley Brook we saw before; so +let us pass over; and now we are to the top of +the hill.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> What noise was that?—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Hark, hark, I hear the dancing,</div> + <div class='line'>And a nimble morris-prancing.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Look over the hedge: there they are! there is +a troop of lads and maidens down in yonder +green meadows a-dancing.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And so they are!—tripping it merrily +round to the tabor and pipe.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span><i>Painter.</i> And, look you, there’s a bevy of +innocent milkmaids, leading a fine sleek cow for +a whipt syllabub: see how she is deck’d with +ribands and scarfs, and wreaths of flowers, and +her horns tipped with gold.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And there the young woodmen begin +to dance with the maidens in blue kirtles: +how they foot it to the measure! Out upon the +cares and tumults of a court life. I do love to +see these honest country junketings, and I pray +that merry England may always have a race of +happy peasants, and not let melancholy Precisians<a id='r83'></a><a href='#f83' class='c011'><sup>[83]</sup></a> +forbid them to rejoice their tired spirits +with lawful sports in the flowery meadows and +greenwoods. Hark! how they laugh their sorrows +away.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> But stay awhile: they have set +themselves down upon the grass; let us see +what they will do.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Hist—hist—they are challenging +each other to sing—and now they have begun +their</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in20'>SONG.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Now is the month of Maying,</div> + <div class='line'>When merry lads are playing; Falalalalala.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>Each with his bonny lass</div> + <div class='line'>Upon the greeny grass. Falalalala.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The spring clad all in gladness</div> + <div class='line'>Doth laugh at winter’s sadness: Falala.</div> + <div class='line'>And to the bagpipe’s sound</div> + <div class='line'>The nymphs tread out their ground. Falalalala.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Fye then, why sit we musing,</div> + <div class='line'>Youth’s sweet delight refusing: Falala.</div> + <div class='line'>Say, daintie nymphs, and speak,</div> + <div class='line'>Shall we play barley-break?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in20'>Falalalalala.<a id='r84'></a><a href='#f84' class='c011'><sup>[84]</sup></a> Falalalala.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> There’s a ballet for you! a most +merry madrigal set to music by a choice hand.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And now they are silent: and there +come the little maids with baskets of bride +cakes, and knots of ribbands at their bosoms, +with nosegays and bunches of rosemary in their +hands.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Now trust me, it is some rustical +wedding day; and there you may see the bride +in the midst, in a russet gown, and a kirtle of +fine worsted.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And there goes the bride cup, all +streaming with bride laces of red and white, +and full of spiced posset, that the bridegroom +<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>serves her with:—and look you, the tankards +are passing round.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> See—see! the lusty woodman has +put on his high crown’d hat, turned up with a +silver clasp, and leads out his bride to the dance: +mark with how special a coyness she gives him +her hand; but you may depend she will foot it +with the best as soon as she begins.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> There’s the bagpipe again: by my +word, Sir, they are going to Canary it. Now +look at my Gentleman in his yellow stockings, +and his fellows all ready.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> No, no: they are for a Corantoe. +Is it not excellent? with what a gravity they +frolic it up and down.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Ay, ’tis a merry bridal,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Whilst youthful sports are lasting,</div> + <div class='line'>To feasting turn your fasting;</div> + <div class='line'>With revels and with wassails</div> + <div class='line'>Make grief and care your vassals:</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>but come, we may not tarry.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well then I am with you. So +farewell! ye peaceful sons and daughters of +nature: and may ye never want a spiced bride +ale to make you cheerful and thankful hearts +withal.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Hither away then; and now you +<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>may see the town of Ashbourne in the valley, +which is to be my resting place to-night.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Alas! I am very loth to part with +you; but thou shalt be remembered in my +prayers. And one thing I am resolved, when +on occasion the cares of life come against me, +or the fears of greater afflictions, I will then +say to myself, ‘It is now but so and so before +the month of May, when I will throw off all +my moody thoughts on the banks of some +retired river, and it may be by the side of Mr. +Cotton’s fishing-house.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is bravely resolved, and the more +so, because I know by experience, how a seclusion +from the noisy world is a favourable aid +and opportunity for religious services,—helps +to soften the affections, and inclines them to a +sublime love to God,—and if that be wanting, +all others do but delude.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> True; and consider the motives +we have to that love; think of that proper and +peculiar attraction—loveliness; and indeed Honourable +Mr. Robert Boyle has declared, how +such was the freeness of God’s love towards +us, and so entirely was that love its own motive, +that even our existence in the world is the +effect of it; nay, He even ‘<i>loved us before the +foundation of the world</i>.’ And consider again +<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>the rich discoveries of His free love in sending +His Son to redeem us. Think of the Divine +glory shrouded in the veil of manhood, and so +tempered to the weak eyesight of a fallen race; +of His weariness and watchings—of the buffet, +mocking, and scourge, the injurious condemnation, +and the uplifted Cross. And let us not +forget how God loves to dwell, by His Spirit, +in them whom He has drawn and disposed to +love His Son: ‘<i>He that loveth me</i>,’ said the +blessed Jesus, ‘<i>shall be loved of my Father, and +we will come unto him, and make our abode +with him.</i>’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Vast and exalted love! Oh the extreme +abjectedness of our hearts, that cannot +soar up to the skies, and there be ravished with +a contemplation of such glorious love. It is +enough to stir our penitential shame, to think of +the dulness of our apprehensions! Let us often +secretly, and alone by ourselves, pray for divine +grace, that our souls may be able to rise to the +throne of <span class='sc'>Him</span> that only can strengthen them. +I might enlarge, but now I must stop here: +only this is most certain, the angler’s retirement +is sweetened by a contemplation of God’s attributes; +and the breath of praise perfumes +even the banks of flowers he reclines himself +upon, ‘<i>for the prayers of saints are golden vials +<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>full of odours</i>.’ And if he desires the best company, +let him join the heavenly choir in spiritual +adoration. Therefore, let all lovers of the +angle be lovers of prayer, because they have +best opportunity to it; and I would have them +be lovers of God, for they have most reason to +be so. And now, brother, the Talbot is before +us, and there is your waiting man.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> This parting comes too soon: do +you remember how ‘<i>the soul of Jonathan was +knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan +loved him as his own soul</i>?’<a id='r85'></a><a href='#f85' class='c011'><sup>[85]</sup></a> and how, when +they parted, they kissed one another, and wept +one with another: and ‘<i>Jonathan stripped himself +of the robe that was upon him, and gave +it to David!</i>’<a id='r86'></a><a href='#f86' class='c011'><sup>[86]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> And so he did, and also ‘<i>his sword +and his bow, and his girdle</i>,’ for ‘<i>he delighted +much in David</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Well, then, here is a parting gift, +that is offered with a love equal to Jonathan’s, +notwithstanding this testimony is so unworthy: +here is my little book, that is no longer a blank +book, but full of rude pictures: they are all +your’s, and welcome. They will bring to your +mind some thoughts of the mutual pleasures we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>have felt along the banks of the Dove: and +you may remember from them, that it was out +of love for you I came this walk; and how you +rewarded me beyond my hope, because you +taught me some inward secrets, and sent me +back to my house a happy composed <span class='sc'>Angler</span>.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Indeed, dear brother, I’m in a strait +how to answer you; only let me embrace you, +as those loving friends kissed one another; and +when I next go angling, ‘<i>thou shalt be missed, +because thy seat will be empty</i>.’<a id='r87'></a><a href='#f87' class='c011'><sup>[87]</sup></a> But we have +made a covenant, like Jonathan and David, +and let it be for the ‘glorious twenty-ninth of +May.’ And for this book of drawings, I shall +esteem it to be more precious than any thing +else I know of; and indeed I love you for this +and many other bounties you have bestowed on +me. And now you may oblige me in one thing +more, for my consolation at parting.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> Any thing you desire is, in a manner, +performed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> It is this: here is my angle rod, and +my landing net and pouch—I beseech you, let +them obtain your acceptance. I do not say it +out of ostentation, but there are some flies in +that pouch that are artfully twisted; and above +<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>all others, I present you with the <span class='sc'>Compleat +Angler</span>, in two parts, writ by Mr. Walton +and Mr. Cotton; therein we have found many +passages of true piety, that may sometimes again +contribute to your peace and contentment.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Painter.</i> A thousand thanks to you; and I +accept these gifts of your love as freely as they +are offered; and when we meet again, you +shall give me some instructions in your better +art of fly-fishing. And now ‘<i>I salute you with +a holy kiss—Go in peace</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Angler.</i> Farewell, brother; and remember +always how the ornament of a meek and quiet +spirit is, in the sight of God, of great price.—‘<i>Follow +peace with all men, and holiness, without +which no man shall see the Lord.</i>’<a id='r88'></a><a href='#f88' class='c011'><sup>[88]</sup></a> We +have had some innocent days of leisure amidst +the beauties of the natural world: but let us +not forget to give all diligence in our journey to +the glories of the spiritual world. For these +pleasures of the earth are but a faint shadow of +the blessedness of the heavenly Sion. Let us +be prepared in the whole armour of Christian +soldiers, that when our temporal warfare is accomplished, +we may receive an eternal crown; +and rest and refresh ourselves beside the ‘<i>pure +<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding +out of the throne of God and of the Lamb</i>.’<a id='r89'></a><a href='#f89' class='c011'><sup>[89]</sup></a> +Once more, farewell!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image296.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div>FINIS.</div> + <div class='c002'>C. WHITTINGHAM, CHISWICK.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='c016'> +<div class='footnote' id='f1'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. Arrian. Epict. l. <span class='fss'>I</span>. c. 16.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f2'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. ‘<i>A new ballad of bold Robin Hood; showing his +birth, breeding, valour, and marriage at Titbury Bullrunning. +Calculated for the meridian of Staffordshire, +but may serve for Derbyshire or Kent.</i>’—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f3'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. See Plott’s History of Staffordshire, p. 437, for an +account of the primitive right to claim the Flyke of +Bacon, which Sir Philip de Somerville was bound to +keep hanging in his Hall, in token of his fealty to John +of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, for the manors of Whichenovre +and others. The same custom prevails at Dunmow +in Essex.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f4'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. No doubt, in allusion to the Charter granted in +1381, by John of Gaunt, to the troop of minstrels +maintained at Tutbury Castle, in that time of its splendour. +The chief was appointed by the title of ‘King +of the Minstrels;’ and he had wardens and other officers +under him to maintain the rules of the Fraternity, +and to levy fines for any disorders.—<i>Plott’s Hist.</i>—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f5'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. Drayton’s Polyolbion: Song 12, p. 207.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f6'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. Henry V. Act <span class='fss'>III.</span> Scene vii.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f7'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r7'>7</a>. ‘The Art of Angling, written by Thomas Barker, +an ancient practitioner in the said Art.’ 12mo. London. +1651.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f8'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r8'>8</a>. Gervase Markham. This book contains a Discourse +of the general Art of Fishing with the Angle or +otherwise: and all the hidden secrets belonging thereto. +4to. London. 1614.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f9'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r9'>9</a>. Pleasure of Princes, ch. iii. p. 15.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f10'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r10'>10</a>. The Secrets of Angling; teaching the choicest +tooles, baytes, and seasons for the taking of any fish in +pond or river; practiced and familiarly opened in three +Bookes. By J. D. Esq. 8vo. London. 1613.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f11'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r11'>11</a>. Pleasure of Princes, ch. iii. p. 16.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f12'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r12'>12</a>. Secrets of Angling, p. 20.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f13'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r13'>13</a>. <span class='sc'>Retirement.</span> Irregular stanzas, addressed to Mr. +Izaak Walton, and prefixed to Mr. Cotton’s Instructions +how to angle for a Trout or Grayling in a clear +stream. 1676.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f14'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r14'>14</a>. ‘Unknown,’ because Walton ascribes the ‘<span class='sc'>Secrets +Of Angling</span>’ to the pen of Jo. Davors, +Esquire: but Mr. Roger Jackson, by whom they were +published, ‘after the death of the author,’ entered them +at the Stationers’ Company, ‘1612, 23º Martii, <i>as practised +and opened in three books, by</i> <span class='sc'>John Dennys</span>, +Esquire.’—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f15'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r15'>15</a>. Originally written in Greek; but that being lost, +there is only a Latin version, supposed to have been +made by Rufinus in the 4th century. Editio princeps, +<span class='sc'>Pastor</span> à Nic. Gerbellio. Lat. Argent. 1522. 4º—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f16'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r16'>16</a>. Translated into English by Cyprian Lucas, Gent. +folio, 1588. Tartaglia was a famous mathematician.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f17'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r17'>17</a>. A gentleman of Dauphiny in the reign of Henry +IV. Par. 1640. Fol.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f18'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r18'>18</a>. London, Printed by Thomas Creede for Robert +Dexter, dwelling in St. Paul’s Church-yard, at the sign +of the Brazen Serpent. 1599. 12mo.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f19'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r19'>19</a>. <span class='sc'>The Retirement.</span> Irregular stanzas by Charles +Cotton.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f20'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r20'>20</a>. Silk.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f21'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r21'>21</a>. Barker’s Delight; or the Art of Angling, wherein +are discovered many rare secrets both for catching fish +and dressing thereof, &c. 12º 1657.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f22'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r22'>22</a>. <span class='sc'>Lord Clarendon</span>, who greatly praises him in +his ‘Characters of Eminent Men,’ in the reigns of +Charles I. and II.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f23'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r23'>23</a>. <span class='sc'>The Holy Bible</span>, conteyning the Old Testament, +and the New; <i>newly translated out of</i> the Originall +Tongues: and with the former Translations diligently +compared and revised by His Majesties special Commandement.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><i>Appointed to be read in Churches.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Imprinted</span> at London by Robert Barker, Printer +to the King’s Most Excellent Majestie. <span class='sc'>Anno Dom.</span> +1611.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f24'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r24'>24</a>. Rev. xxii. 17.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f25'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r25'>25</a>. ‘<span class='sc'>Basilicon Doron</span>,’ or a royal gift, written by +James the First, and addressed to his son Prince Henry. +Originally printed at Edinburgh, by R. Waldegrave in +1599.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f26'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r26'>26</a>. That this friendship, so happily begun between the +two poets, was a lasting one we have undoubted evidence +in Mr. Cotton’s Elegy ‘<i>To the Memory of my worthy +Friend Coll.</i> <span class='sc'>Richard Lovelace</span>,’ appended to a posthumous +edition of Lovelace’s <i>Lucasta</i>, printed in 1659, +the year after his death. In this collection of poems is +one addressed by Lovelace ‘To the noblest of our Youth, +and best of Friends, <span class='sc'>Charles Cotton</span>, Esquire, being +at <i>Beresford</i>, at his house in <i>Staffordshire</i>;’ in which +is the following testimony of gratitude for Mr. Cotton’s +having contributed to his necessities, when he was in +prison.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘What fate was mine, when in mine obscure cave,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Shut up almost close prisoner in a grave,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Your beams could reach me through the vault of night,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And canton the dark dungeon with light.’—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f27'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r27'>27</a>. William, Earl of Devonshire, mentioned in Cotton’s +Wonders of the Peak, p. 24. 1681.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f28'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r28'>28</a>. Probably the son of Mr. Thomas Rolleston, who +built the church at Mayfield, in Dove Vale, in 1616.—<i>Pitt’s +Survey of Staffordshire</i>, <i>p. 225</i>.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f29'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r29'>29</a>. Printed by M. F. for John Marriott and Richard +Marriott, and are to be sold at their shop in St. Dunstan’s +Church-yard, Fleet Street, under the Dyall, 1646. A +posthumous work, as the poet died in 1644. Francis +Quarles, author of Divine Emblems, had been cup +bearer to Elizabeth, Electress Palatine, daughter of +James I., and afterwards Secretary to Archbishop Usher. +His loyalty exposed him to persecution during the Rebellion.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f30'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r30'>30</a>. Is. xlix. 25.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f31'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r31'>31</a>. The Secrets of Angling; teaching the choicest +tooles, baits, and seasons for the taking of any fish in +pond or river: practised and familiarly opened in three +Books. By J. Davors, Esquire. 1652.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f32'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r32'>32</a>. Ordination Service: charge to the priests.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f33'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r33'>33</a>. Joel ii. 25.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f34'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r34'>34</a>. Ezra iii.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f35'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r35'>35</a>. Isa. xxiii. 8.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f36'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r36'>36</a>. Is. i. 8.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f37'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r37'>37</a>. S. Ignatius: Epist. ad Ephesiois, iii. 4.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f38'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r38'>38</a>. His Majesty had so great a distaste to the use of <i>the +weed</i>, that he wrote a treatise against it, intituled, ‘<span class='sc'>A +Counterblast to Tobacco</span>.’ It was re-published +in 4to. in 1672, with ‘a learned discourse by Dr. +Everard Maynwaring, proving that tobacco is a procuring +cause of the scurvy.’ This royal pedantic treatise +is thought to be a considerable ‘<i>counterblast</i>’ to His +Majesty’s fame as an author.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f39'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r39'>39</a>. William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, a finished +gentleman, and a most distinguished patriot, was author +of the well-known work on horsemanship, originally +published in French at Antwerp in 1658, fol., and afterwards +in English under the title of ‘A new Method +and extraordinary Invention to dress Horses, and work +them according to Nature, as also to perfect Nature by +the Subtilty of Art.’ 1667. fol.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f40'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r40'>40</a>. In a poetic epistle to John Bradshaw, Esq. describing +his journey from London to <i>Basford Hall</i>, in his +coach and four, he thus alludes to the Tower:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Tuesday at noon at Lichfield town we baited,</div> + <div class='line'>‘But there some friends, who long that hour had waited,</div> + <div class='line'>‘So long detain’d me, that my charioteer</div> + <div class='line'>‘Could drive that night but to Uttoxeter.</div> + <div class='line'>‘And there the Wedn’sday, being market-day,</div> + <div class='line'>‘I was constrain’d with some kind lads to stay,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Tippling till afternoon, which made it night,</div> + <div class='line'>‘When from my <i>Hero’s Tow’r</i> I saw the light</div> + <div class='line'>‘Of her Flambeaux, and fanci’d, as we drave,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Each rising hillock was a swelling wave,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And that I swimming was, in Neptune’s spight,</div> + <div class='line'>‘To my long-long’d-for harbour of delight.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in8'>Poems on several occasions, 1689, 8º.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f41'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r41'>41</a>. The Planter’s Manual of railing, planting, and +cultivating all Sorts of Fruit-trees. London: 1675. +8vo.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f42'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r42'>42</a>. A Panegyric to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, +1660. Folio.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f43'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r43'>43</a>. The Moral Philosophy of the Stoics. Translated +from the French of Monsieur de Vaix, 1664. 8vo. +And the Life of the Duke of Espernon, in 12 Books, +wherein the History of France is continued, &c. Translated +from the French of M. Girard. London: 1670. +Folio.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f44'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r44'>44</a>. Colonel Richard Lovelace inscribes a panegyric to +him in his Lucasta. And the following lines of Mr. +Charles Cotton, addressed to the painter on another occasion, +are applicable to his own portrait, and testify +to the familiarity between the poet and the painter:—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Nature and art are here at strife;</div> + <div class='line'>‘This shadow comes so near to life,</div> + <div class='line'>‘Sit still, <i>dear Lely</i>, thou’st done that</div> + <div class='line'>‘Thyself must love and wonder at.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>From a poem of Mr. Cotton’s, ‘<i>To my friend Mr. Lely</i>, +on his picture of the excellently virtuous lady, the Lady +Isabella Thynne,’ <span class='sc'>Poems on several Occasions</span>. +Printed 1689, 8º.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f45'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r45'>45</a>. <span class='sc'>A Perambulation of Kent</span>, containing the +Descriptive Hystorie and Customes of that Shyre, by +<i>William Lambarde</i>, of Lincolnes Inne, Gent. 1576. 12<sup>o</sup>. +He was one of the most eminent antiquaries of this +country, and declared by the great Camden to be as +distinguished for learning and piety. He was appointed +Keeper of the Records in the Tower, of which he presented +an account to her Majesty, under the title of +Pandecta Rotulorum. This, with other great works, +did not see the light till published by his grandson in +1635. His tomb may be found in the church of Sevenoaks.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f46'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r46'>46</a>. The second wife of Mr. Cotton; Mary, the daughter +of Sir William Russell, and widow of Wingfield +Cromwell, Earl of Ardglass.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f47'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r47'>47</a>. Alexander Brome, a poet, born 1620, and died +1666, eminent for his loyalty. His congratulatory poem +on the miraculous and glorious return of Charles 2nd, +fol. was published 1660; and his songs and poems, 1664. +8vo.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f48'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r48'>48</a>. Mr. Cotton’s hopeful temper amidst his cares has +been well expressed in these lines ‘To my dear and most +worthy friend, Mr. Isaac Walton.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘And some delight it is the while,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Though nature now does weep in rain,</div> + <div class='line'>‘To think that I have seen her smile,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘<i>And haply may I do again</i>.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘If the all-ruling Power please</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘We live to see another May,</div> + <div class='line'>‘<i>We’ll recompense an age of these</i></div> + <div class='line in2'><i>‘Foul days in one fine fishing day</i>.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in8'>Poems on several Occasions.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f49'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r49'>49</a>. Thomas Flatman. His poems were first published +in 1674, 8vo. The ballad here alluded to will be found +at p. 121. He afterwards took to him a wife, and was +serenaded by his companions with his own contumelious +song against marriage. His own portrait designed by +himself, is prefixed to his Poems: and the following +lines, in his ‘Pindarique Ode, <i>The Review</i>’ are a testimony +to his practice of limning;</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>‘To extricate myself from Love,</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘Which I could ill obey, but worse command,</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘I took my Pensils in my hand;</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘With that artillery for conquest strove:</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘Like wise Pigmalion thus did I</div> + <div class='line in4'>‘Myself design my Deity.</div> + <div class='line'>‘If she did frown, one dash could make her smile,</div> + <div class='line'>‘All bickerings one easy stroke could reconcile:</div> + <div class='line'>‘Thus did I quiet many a froward day,</div> + <div class='line'>‘While in my eyes my soul did play.’—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f50'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r50'>50</a>. Author of the Purple Island, printed 1633, 4to. +and Piscatory Eclogues, 1633, 4to.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f51'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r51'>51</a>. Michael Drayton was an admirable poet, and +amongst other numerous works, wrote the <i>Shepherd’s +Garland, fashioned in 9 Eglogs</i>, which was printed in +1593, 4to. Also the <span class='sc'>Poly-Albion</span>, a chorographical +description of all the tracts, rivers, mountains, forests, +and other parts of this renowned isle of <i>Great Britain</i>, +1612, 1613, and 1622, all in folio.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f52'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r52'>52</a>. To my ingenious friend, Mr. Brome, on his various +and excellent poems: an humble eglog. Damon and +Dorus. Written the 29th May, 1660.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f53'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r53'>53</a>. Psalm civ. 10.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f54'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r54'>54</a>. Eccl. ix. 7.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f55'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r55'>55</a>. The original of this ballad is to be found in ‘<i>A +handfull of Pleasant Delites</i>,’ contayning sundrie new +Sonets and delectable Histories in divers kinds of meters, +newly devised to the newest tunes. At London, 1584. +Printed by Richard Jhones, dwelling at the sign of the +Rose and Crown, near Holbourne Bridge.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f56'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r56'>56</a>. Lib. III. Epist. 3.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f57'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r57'>57</a>. The Visions of Petrarch, ‘<i>formerly translated</i>’ by +Edmund Spenser, at the age of 14: originally printed +in a book of some rarity, ‘The Theatre of <span class='sc'>John Vander Noodt</span>.’ +8<sup>o</sup> 1569.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f58'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r58'>58</a>. And so thought Mr. Charles Cotton; as witness +these lines:</p> + +<p class='c009'>‘<i>To my dear and most worthy friend, Mr.</i> Izaak +Walton.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘A day without too bright a beam,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘A warm, but not a scorching sun,</div> + <div class='line'>‘A <i>southern gale</i> to curl the stream,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And, master, <i>half our work is done</i>.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘There, whilst behind some bush we wait,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘The scaly people to betray,</div> + <div class='line'>‘We’ll prove it just with treach’rous bait</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘To make the preying trout our prey.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in8'><span class='sc'>Poems</span> <i>on</i> <span class='sc'>several Occasions</span>, p. 115—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f59'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r59'>59</a>. The first edition was printed, 1674, for J. Martyn.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f60'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r60'>60</a>. Prov. iii. 17.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f61'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r61'>61</a>. Titus Andron. Act. 2. Sc. 4.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f62'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r62'>62</a>. Sir John Hawkins, in his life of Cotton, states that +‘a natural excavation in the rocky Hill on which Beresford +Hall stands, is shewn as Mr. Cotton’s occasional +refuge from his creditors:’ and to this Cotton +himself probably alludes in the following lines of his +Ode to Retirement.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c008'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘O my beloved Caves! from Dog-star heats,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And hotter perfection’s safe retreats,</div> + <div class='line'>‘What safety, privacy, what true delight</div> + <div class='line in20'>‘In the artificial night</div> + <div class='line in20'>‘Your gloomy entrails make,</div> + <div class='line in20'>‘Have I taken, do I take!</div> + <div class='line'>‘How oft, when grief has made me fly</div> + <div class='line'>‘To hide me from society,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Even of my dearest friends have I</div> + <div class='line in6'>‘In your recesses’ friendly shade</div> + <div class='line in6'>‘All my sorrows open laid,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And my most secret woes entrusted to your privacy.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in8'>Occasional Poems, p. 138.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f63'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r63'>63</a>. Ballads and Madrigals by Thos. Weekes, 1598.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f64'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r64'>64</a>. Heb. xii. 22.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f65'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r65'>65</a>. John xvii. 21.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f66'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r66'>66</a>. John xiv. 23.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f67'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r67'>67</a>. Ibid. xiv. 17.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f68'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r68'>68</a>. Heb. i. 14.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f69'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r69'>69</a>. Herbert’s Poems, <span class='sc'>The Church</span>, p. 117.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f70'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r70'>70</a>. Richard Marriott was the publisher of almost all +Izaak Walton’s works.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f71'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r71'>71</a>. Antidote against Melancholy, <span class='fss'>A. D.</span> 1661.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f72'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r72'>72</a>. She died at the age of 38, as appears from a poem +of Sir Aston Cockaine:—‘On the death of his dear +cousin germaine, Mrs. Olive Cotton, who deceased at +Beresford, in the 38th year of her age, and lies buried +at Bentley, by Ashbourne.’—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f73'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r73'>73</a>. P. Augustinus Chesneau, Orpheus Eucharisticus.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f74'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r74'>74</a>. Psalm cvii. 29, 30.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f75'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r75'>75</a>. John xiv. 27.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f76'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r76'>76</a>. See Note p. 28.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f77'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r77'>77</a>. Walton’s Life of Sir Henry Wotton.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f78'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r78'>78</a>. Occasional Reflections by the Honourable Robert +Boyle. 1665.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f79'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r79'>79</a>. The incident here referred to, of a book found in +the belly of a cod-fish, taken on the Norfolk coast, and +brought to Cambridge market, on Midsummer eve, 1626, +is no less true than strange. Fuller attests the fact in +his Worthies of England, folio, p. 359, and says he was +in Cambridge at the time: and in Parr’s Life and Letters +of Archbishop Usher, folio, p. 345, is a letter from +his Grace to Dr. Samuel Ward, dated 30th June, 1626, +in answer to his communication of the same fact. I +have myself seen a copy of one of these treatises, in +‘<i>sexto decimo</i>,’ printed in black letter, and entitled ‘The +Preparation to the Crosse and to Death, and of the +Comfort under the Crosse and Death.’ John Frith, +who suffered martyrdom in 1533, was the author.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f80'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r80'>80</a>. See back p. 8.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f81'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r81'>81</a>. See back p. 8.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f82'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r82'>82</a>. Shakespeare’s Sonnets.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f83'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r83'>83</a>. In ‘The King’s Majestie’s Declaration concerning +lawful sports,’ Puritans and Precisians are designated +‘as Adversaries of our Church.’—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f84'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r84'>84</a>. First Book of Ballads to five voices. By Thomas +Morley, 1600.—<span class='sc'>Ed.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f85'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r85'>85</a>. 1 Sam. xviii. 1.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f86'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r86'>86</a>. xviii. 4.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f87'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r87'>87</a>. 1 Sam. xx. 18.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f88'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r88'>88</a>. Heb. xii. 14.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f89'> +<p class='c009'><a href='#r89'>89</a>. Rev. xxii. 1.</p> +</div> +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c003'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c005'> + <div><span class='xlarge'>Books on Angling.</span></div> + <div class='c002'><i>Published by</i> <span class='sc'>W. Pickering</span>.</div> + <div class='c002'><span class='large'>I</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c017'>Walton and Cotton’s Complete Angler. +Edited with Original Memoirs, by <i>Sir Harris Nicolas</i>, +Illustrated by Engravings from Designs by +<i>Stothard</i> and <i>Inskipp</i>. 2 vols. imperial 8vo. 6<i>l.</i> 6<i>s.</i> +or proofs on India paper, 10<i>l.</i> 10<i>s.</i> The Illustrations +separate, 4to. proofs before the letters, 10<i>l.</i> 10<i>s.</i></p> + +<p class='c018'>⁂ Additional Plates (<span class='fss'>XXXII</span>) to Illustrate Walton +and Cotton’s Complete Angler, consisting of +Portraits, Monuments, &c. mostly proofs, imperial +8vo. 3<i>l.</i> 3<i>s.</i></p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div>II</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c017'>The true Enjoyment of Angling. By +<i>Henry Phillips, Esq.</i> Illustrated with a Portrait of +the Author, and Seven Songs, descriptive of the Art, +with Pianoforte Accompaniments. 8vo. 10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div>III</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c017'>Berners’s (Juliana) Treatyse of Fysshynge +wyth an Angle. Reprint with fac-simile wood-cuts, +crown 8vo. 5<i>s.</i></p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div>IV</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c017'>Piscatorial Reminiscences and Gleanings, +by an <i>Old Angler</i> and <i>Bibliopolist</i>; with the most +complete Catalogue of Books on Angling ever published, +fscap. 8vo. <i>with cuts</i>, 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div>V</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c017'>The Angler’s Desideratum, containing the +best and fullest Directions for dressing the Artificial +Fly; with some new and valuable Inventions, “by +<i>The Author</i>,” from a practice of nearly half a Century, +12mo. 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image298.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c003'> +</div> +<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'> + +<div class='chapter ph2'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c005'> + <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + + <ul class='ul_1 c002'> + <li>Non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + + </li> + <li>Added table of <a href='#CONTENTS'>Contents</a>. + + </li> + <li>Used numbers for footnotes, placing them all at the end of the last chapter. + </li> + </ul> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77591 ***</div> + </body> + <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57i (with regex) on 2025-12-31 23:16:35 GMT --> +</html> diff --git a/77591-h/images/cover.jpg b/77591-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0577d7 --- /dev/null +++ b/77591-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/77591-h/images/dimage001b.jpg b/77591-h/images/dimage001b.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f12bb7d --- /dev/null +++ b/77591-h/images/dimage001b.jpg diff --git a/77591-h/images/dimage063b.jpg b/77591-h/images/dimage063b.jpg Binary files differnew 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