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PREFACE

WE have recently been informed that in a biography "the person delineated should have the power of permanently interesting his fellowmen; and next, that the delineator should be able to recall him to life."1

Izaak Walton, as years go on, is loved as a man and writer more and more; but whether I have succeeded in re-animating him must be left to the reader to determine.

This book is written chiefly with a view to bring out the spiritual side of Walton's character. I cannot find that anyone before me has attempted to do this. Walton was (to borrow a splendid phrase) a "God-intoxicated man," and to ignore this fact seems fatal to any right estimate of his character and life.

I venture to think that some little fresh information may be found in this book which may

1 See an article in the National Review of December 1901, by Mr Asquith.

vii

be acceptable to Waltonians.

It is, however,

written in the first instance for those who only know of Walton as a "Fisherman" and as the author of The Complete Angler; and in hope that this humble contribution to Waltonian lore may not only instruct, but so enamour the reader that he may for himself "rummage" Walton's writings, the only way, I apprehend, to get to the heart of the writer.

STAPLETON MARTIN.

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