Here, in this despis'd recess,

Would I, maugre Winter's cold,
And the Summer's worst excess,

Try to live out to sixty full years old!
And, all the while,

Without an envious eye

On any thriving under Fortune's smile,

Contented live, and then-contented die.

C. C.

But, notwithstanding the purity of sentiment contained in these verses, we are compelled to add that the virtuous aspirations of the poet were rendered vain, by a general want of economy in his affairs thus forming a striking contrast to those of the practical moralist, whom, we cannot help wishing, he had been able to imitate in a degree more consistent with his truly creditable admiration. Nevertheless, their connexion was highly honourable to them both; it is beautiful to fancy the cheerful sage relaxing to accommodate himself to the comparatively dissipated man of fashion, who, on the other hand, seems to have held himself, as it were in a course of reformation, in compliment to his indulgent friend: nothing can be finer than his carrying this temper to the length of making his acceptableness to Walton the test of his general worthiness. See Part II. chap. I. 66 'My father Walton will be seen twice in no man's company he does not like, and likes none but such as he believes to be very honest men; which is one of the best arguments, or at least one of the best testimonies

I have, that I either am, or that he thinks me one of those, seeing I have not yet found him weary of me."

Yet, here we cannot refrain from the remark, that Walton triumphs over his coadjutor as much in genius as in moral worth; having immortalized himself by a work which he produced by mere accident!—whilst Cotton, though an author by profession, having chosen disgusting topics for most of his original compositions, now lives chiefly in connexion with the name of his venerable friend : -or, to say the least, the benign influence of a virtuous association was never more strikingly illustrated, since his devoted attachment to Walton forms the best evidence we have of his naturally amiable disposition, and a more honourable, if not a more certain immortality, is, on his part, the issue of this ever-memorable friendship.

The precise situation in life in which Walton was placed, has unfortunately never reached posterity; and with due deference to his earliest biographers, we cannot help thinking it has been fixed in too humble a sphere.

Sir John Hawkins speaks of a deed dated 1624, by which it appears that his house in Fleet-street was in the joint occupation of Izaak Walton and John Mason, Hosier; "whence," says Sir John,

we may conclude, that half a shop was sufficient for the business of Walton:"-now to this deduction we by no means agree, but in unison with the tradition in his family, that he was A wholesale

66

Linen-draper or Hamburgh Merchant," would much rather infer that Izaak Walton, (it is to be observed that his name is mentioned first in the said deed), had let a part of his house to the said John Mason, his own business not requiring the public exposure of his goods.

Be this as it might, we have the pleasure of presenting the reader, with a genuine view of the house rendered so truly interesting as the dwelling of our author; the curious in London topography will recognise the corner house, in the annexed print, at the south-west end of Chancery-lane, Fleet-street, as it appeared till within about the last 16 years. The Third west from the corner is considered as the identical house of Walton, whilst the view, at the same time, contains a glance of the curious old houses up Chancery-lane, in one of which he also resided about ten years after the above date. It is probably the only correct delineation extant, having been drawn on the spot by Mr. Smith of the British Museum, whose superiority in topographical delineation is particularly well known. The print has also the advantage, of having been engraved by the same artist.

Again, we find some of our author's biographers full of wonder, at the extent and high respectability of his connexions, particularly among the superior clergy of his time; -it is true that this distinction is ascribed to the most honourable sources, integrity of character, and amiableness of disposition; we are also apprised of the undoubted fact, that he was

ANCIENT HOUSES IN FLEET STREET,
Including

THE RESIDENCE OF IZAAC WALLT DAY, 1824.

LONDON,

Published by J Major 50, Fleet Street, 1824.