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The Contemplative Man's Recreation

BEING A DISCOURSE OF RIVERS FISH-PONDS
FISH AND FISHING WRITTEN BY

IZAAK WALTON

AND

INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO ANGLE FOR A TROUT OR
GRAYLING IN A CLEAR STREAM BY

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To the

REVEREND HERBERT HAWES, D.D

Prebendary of the Cathedral Church of Salisbury,

This Edition of the Complete Angler,

As a Mark of Respect

for the Descendant of its venerable Author, and in Acknowledgment

of the

Assistance which he has afforded towards its Completion,

is respectfully inscribed by his most obedient

humble Servant,

N. HARRIS NICOLAS.

except the Portraits and Fishes, were drawn. The Fishes were painted from nature by James Inskipp, Esq., who, to distinguished ability in his profession, unites the knowledge and ardour of a skilful angler. To his pencil the publisher is likewise indebted for the charming portraits of Walton and Cotton, "in their vocation ;" and Mr Inskipp's favours have been much enhanced by the cordiality and zeal with which he has executed this important department of the work.

To general readers, as well as to Anglers, the portrait of the venerable Walton, engraved by Mr Humphrys, after the original by Housman, in the possession of the Rev. Dr Hawes, Prebendary of Salisbury, will perhaps prove the most attractive illustration. From that picture all the engraved portraits are said to have been taken; but a single glance will show that in none of them have the real features been preserved. The present engraving is, however, no less faithful to the original than remarkable for its excellence as a work of art; and it may be said that a perfect resemblance of the patriarch of Anglers is now, for the first time, published.

With respect to the literary improvements which are presumed to have been made, and the plan which has been pursued, in this edition of the Complete Angler, it is to be observed that the text is that of the fifth edition, published in 1676, which was the last that was revised by the author; and the variations between it and the four previous editions are carefully indicated at the foot of each page. These variations are often curious, it being well known that Walton very considerably enlarged the second and the fifth edition of his work. As, however, a full account of the different editions of the Complete Angler will be found in the Memoir of Walton, it is unnecessary to say more on the subject.

Many original notes have been added to a selection of

the most valuable of those which had appeared in preceding editions; and though the former are chiefly on points of a literary nature, some new piscatory illustrations, from the pens of experienced Anglers, will be found among them.*

A striking feature in the arrangement of this edition ought to be mentioned. All the previous editions of the Complete Angler are divided into chapters only, without any reference to the chronological plan of the work. The dialogue of the First Part occupies five separate days, and the conclusion of the first four of them is distinctly marked by the parties separating for the night. Except in the original edition of 1653, in which what is termed a "space" occurs at those places, there is no apparent division of time; and the dialogue proceeds, without any pause, from the "good-night" of the preceding evening, to the greeting and sports of the ensuing day, whilst the break, caused by a new chapter, is often found in the middle of a conversation, without the slightest change in the situation of the parties, merely because a different subject, or rather a new branch of the same subject, is introduced.

The inconsistency of this arrangement of a work so dramatic in character as the Complete Angler is evident; and it is really surprising that the unities of the piece should have hitherto been so completely lost sight of.

In this edition, the dialogue naturally forms five divisions, marked "The First Day," "The Second Day," "The Third

* The following explanation of the initials of the authors affixed to them will identify the respective contributors :

H. indicates Sir John Hawkins, the editor of the edition published in 1760.

E. Sir Henry Ellis, K.H., editor of the edition published by Mr Bagster, 1815.

T. Richard Thomson, Esq., of the London Institution, the editor of the edition published by Mr Major, 1823.

Eu. H. is the signature of the late Mr Haslewood.

B. is the initial of Mr John Baker.

For the notes which are undistinguished the Editor is himself responsible.

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