The record-union., 1893-08-05
Special Correspondence of the RECORD
UNION. Copyright 1881
LONDON, July "A, 1893.

Special Correspondence of the RECORD
UNION. Copyright 1881
LONDON, July "A, 1898.
No single work written within the last
$50 years has had universally so whole
some influence as Izaak Walton's "Com-
plete Angler" and I can call to mind no
other writer who has, during the same
period, through his sweet and calm per-
sonality and work, so held, if often un-
willingly and unrealized, what may be
termed the literary conscience of man
kind so tenderly close to the tranquiliz-
ing touch of nature's outstretched tender
hand.
This is not only fact of excellent sfg-
nificance. as showing the value and per-
manency of purity and simplicity in all
art, but it is tribute to the healthfulness
of motive in sought-for source of inspira-
ton by literary people, and its accuracy
is easily shown, if need be, in an impress
sive manner by citation, contrast and
Illustration from the best known litera-
ture between Walton's time and this. In
many instances it has been clearly ac-
knowledged by literary men themselves.
In others, the Identification is so clear
and true as to admit of no possible doubt.
The trankest, though still indirect, and
the most clearly traced Indebtedness of
this prompting influence to nature-loving
IN those whose genius transmits the same
lovable quality to others, is made by that
master OF English prose, Washington
Irving.
While under the spell of Walton he be-
came Tor the nOnce an angler. Il hooked
myself" he charmingly confesses, "in-
stead OF the hsh, tangled my line in every
tree, lost my bait, broke my rod until [
gave up the attempt in despair, and passed
The day under the trees reading old IZaak,
satisfied that 1t was his charming vein of
honest simplicity and rural feeling that
had bewitched me, and not the passion
Tor angling" We are certainly largely
indebted to this hewitchment by Walton
Of Irving for that rambling, nature-com-
munion mood whence was filtered
through his loving fancy the folklore of
The legend-haunted Hudson, and gave us
The sweetest and best of all his work in
those tender tales of the ''Sketch Book"
No less undeniabiy, and Tar more con-
sclously and direct, has Wordsworth him
self, divine Interpreter of natures holiest
moods and Influences, paid tribute to
Nalton's power Tor purest inspiration.
He tells US of 'meek Walton's heavenly
memory" one of the most beautiful eX-
pressions of praise and reverence to be
found in our language, ard in the same
tribute to Nalton's Lives of Hooker, San
ierson, Wooton. Donne and George Her
oert, Wordsworth again bursts forth in
this Incompatible strain of eulOgy:
There are no colors in The lairest sky
50 fair as these. The feather, whence the pen
Was shaped that traced the lives OF these good
men,
Dropped from an angels wing.
Pages could be filled with most briefly
noted admissions by the immOrtals of the
gentle anglers subtle power to draw
them TO the everything fountain ofpurity,
simplicity and truth. Justly, then. Izaak
Walton and his work must be framed in
different perspective than that Of their
commonly-accepted setting. He mustno
be merely regarded as honest Izaak
Walton, rather of the gentle art of anr-
ling" There We're able writers before
his time upon this engaging diversion.
Most of what he wrote, as purely instruc-
tive, has been more than half century
out OF date. One must be more than a
dett and successful angler 10 be a disci-
pie OF Walton, and this truly lovable ep-
tibet IS almost universally misapplied, /
would say then, that the name and fame
of Izaak Walton increase with the centu-
ries because a truly good and sweetlv
plous life with a glorious genius con-
stantly shine clearer and brighter throuoh
lis lAlNOAil lbeiA dD4G pdSeS lLtO our later and
better understandings. His Complete
Angler" which, it must be remembered,
IS also the "Contemplative Mans Recrea-
tiOn," is an imperishable shrine in the
world of letters because, after the Bible
Ii is the most perfect guide to the wor-
ship of nature and natures God together
to which we have access. And being "a
disciple of Walton" must come to mean
not merely one who can land a trout or
grayling prettlly, but that one who, in
any vocation or avocation, is heart and
soul attuned to the God-sent harmonies
of nature through the measureless peace
of pure and perfect life.
With this spirit of loving remem brance
a quest TOR the olden haunts of Walton
becomes almost reverential pilgrimage.
In half months time it will be 800 years
since his birth, August 9, 1898, in Stafford
shire, about 270 years since actual kuOwl-
edge OF his existence as ''sempter'' or
linen draper in the Royal Burse. Corn
hill, where the Royal EXCHANGE now
stands, was made matter of record. by
deed, and just 240 years since the first
sale lat eighteen pence price, by Richard
Merriotin st. Dunstan's churchyard. Fleet
street, of copies of the first edition of the
"Compleat Angler" The London. in
deed one might say the England, of tha<
time Is no more. Loiter and delVe as one
may about old Fleet street and Chancery
minder of Walton and his time. So far as
! am able to discover in the entire worlds
metropolis there is but one. That is the
initials and date, "a. W, 1855" on the
stone tablet TO Isaac CasauDon in West
minister Abbey's south transept. 1t was
scratched there by Walton himself. and is
a Dissertation now cherished by all Brit
ain. Who would ever glance at the pages
of "Casauboniana" to-day, or remember
that James /. made Casaubon prebendarv
of Westminster and Canterbury, save
for this silent token of Izaak Walton's re-
gard?
The scene of the Angler lies directly
north OF London along the River Lea, be-
tween Tottenham and Hertford, and it
was no small walk from Waltons shop
in Chancery lane to his fayorite haunts
beside this stream. The river itself has
its rise in Bedfordshire, still north of
Herttordshire, lin the marsh called
Luigrave or Leagrave, from whence