CHAPTER XIV

A SHORT NOTE ON WALTON'S FAMILY

Of

IT has already been shown that all Walton's children by his first marriage died in infancy. the issue by his second marriage, the elder son Isaak was born and baptised on the 10th of February 1649, and died the following June.

The younger son Isaak was baptised on the 7th of September 1851, and was educated at Christ Church College, Oxford. He became B.A. in 1672 and M.A. in 1675, and travelled abroad with Ken. He was Rector of Poulshot, Wilts, and Canon of Salisbury. The Canon refers in his will to his

many and grievous sins," and to his "unprofitable life." We know, however, that he is said to have been "a very pious, sober, learned, inoffensive, charitable, good man" (see Notes and Queries, 1st S. IX., p. 397). His estimate of his own character seems worthless. Sir Harris Nicolas thinks that the allusion originated in extreme humility. I think it arose from ill health.

The will states that the testator lived at present, and intended through God's grace to

die in the communion of the Church of England as it is at present by law established. Being according to the best measure of his understanding fully satisfied that she has reformed herself with that sound judgment and godly sincerity as to be the soundest and purest part of the Church Catholic.

The Canon died a bachelor in London on the 29th of December 1719, and thereupon Walton's male issue became extinct. His will was proved on the 14th of November 1720, and is sealed with a seal bearing Donne's characteristic device. He was buried at Salisbury. Anne, the daughter, married in 1676 Dr William Hawkins, Prebendary of Winchester Cathedral, who died on the 17th of July 1691, aged 58. Anne Hawkins died on the 18th of August 1715, leaving male issue, and was buried with her husband in Winchester Cathedral.

CHAPTER XV

SELECTIONS FROM THE POETICAL WORKS OF WALTON, COTTON, DONNE, HERBERT, WOTTON AND DUPORT

In this chapter the reader will find selections from the poetry of Walton, Cotton, Donne, Wotton and Herbert, and the Latin verses by Duport, which are to be found in many editions of The Complete Angler. In supplementing these verses by a translation into English, I have taken a course the utility of which will, I hope, be accepted as sufficient apology for its novelty.

(a) SOME OF WALTON'S VERSES, ETC.

AN ELEGIE UPON DR DONNE

(1633).

OUR Donne is dead; England should mourne, may

say

We had a man where language chose to stay

And shew her gracefull power. I would not praise That and his vast wit (which in these vaine dayes Make many proud) but, as they serv'd to unlock That Cabinet, his minde: where such a stock