PREVIOUSLY to entering upon the following series of illustrative notes, it may be advantageous to state what were the books to which the Authors of the preceding work have referred in the course of it; and, so far as they now can be ascertained, to specify the probable editions which they consulted. By doing this, Walton's principal authorities will appear at one view; and by numbering each article separately, a connection will be formed between them and the following commentaries, without having the continual repetition of the title of any volume which may be referred to. Walton, by an admirable selection of his authors, was enabled to quote not only the best, most learned, and most popular writers of his own time, but he also was rendered capable of citing numerous ancient classics, both Greek and Latin, as well as the volumes of many eminent foreigners, whose productions were generally written in the last-mentioned language. The Complete Angler was, perhaps, fully as much as any other work in the English tongue, a progressive composition; since each succeeding edition, down to the Fifth,— which was the last published in the Author's life-time,— contained some variation, addition, or improvement, to those which preceded it. Though Walton certainly anticipated future editions of his most entertaining work, yet in the Preface to his First, which was afterwards considerably altered, he writes of such a circumstance with very great modesty. When speaking of the flies which are used for the different months, he says: "Of these (because no man "is born an Artist nor an Angler) I thought fit to give thee "this notice. I might say more, but it is not fit for this 66 place; but if this Discourse which follows, shall come "to a second impression, which is possible, for slight "books have been in this age observed to have that for66 tune; I shall then for thy sake, be glad to correct what "is faulty, or by a conference with any to explain or "enlarge what is defective; but for this time I have "neither a willingness nor leisure to say more, than wish "thee a rainy evening to read this book in, and that "the east wind may never blow when thou goest a fish 66 ing. Farewel. Iz. WA.” He abundantly kept this promise, for the Second Edition, has Eight entirely new Chapters, and above an hundred pages more than the First; and the Fifth contains twenty pages more than the Fourth.* It is from these variations, the most important of which will be found carefully preserved in the following notes, that a conception may be formed, of the editions used by * The appearance of these various editions was in the following years, as in the succeeding notes they are referred to only by the number of the impression, First, 1653-Second, 1655-Third, 1664-Fourth, 1668-Fifth, 1676. Walton, of the authors whom he cites; and it is from a careful collation of these earlier impressions, that some illustrations of the text have been recovered, from marginal notes which were afterwards omitted. Nor from the author only have such illustrations been compiled; but the editions of the Complete Angler by the Reverend Moses Browne and Sir John Hawkins, have also been consulted, and the collection formed into a brief, but comprehensive abstract of all. Brief indeed, the plan of the present volume required it, although it would in most instances, have been truly interesting, to have given the very words of the ancient and erudite authorities themselves, but these extracts extend occasionally to many pages. The reader has however the less to regret, since he will find upon a reference to Walton's originals, that he has so happily abbreviated them, that in the words of Addison, he has "practised in the chemical method, "and given the virtue of a bulky draught in a few drops." The man of literature will, notwithstanding, find the ensuing notes almost all which he can require, since they will serve as an index to many of the passages referred to in the numerous authors quoted; while for the general reader it is presumed, that there will be sufficient to amuse and guide him, without wearying his patience by the multiplication of quaint extracts, which he would neither value nor enjoy. 66 The works referred to in the Complete Angler, are presumed to be the following. 1. Elianus, Claudus: De Naturâ Animalium libri xvII. Gr. Lat. Pet. Gillio et Conr. Gesnero Interp. Lugd. 1565. 16to. 2. Aldrovandus, Ulysses: De Piscibvs Libri v. et de Cetis lib. vnvs, Bon. 1638. fol. 3. Bacon, Francis, Bar. Verulam: Sylva Sylvarum: or a Naturall History in Ten Centuries. Published after the Author's death, by W. Rawley, D. D. Lond. 1635. fol. 4. History Natural and Experimental of Life and Death: or of the Prolongation of Life. Translated from the Latin, by W. Rawley, D. D. Lond. 1638. 12mo. 5. Baker, Sir Richard: A Chronicle of the Kings of England. Lond. 1653. fol. 6. Barker, Thomas: The Art of Angling. Lond. 1661. 12mo. 7. Bartas, Guil. de Sall. Sieur Du: Du Bartas his Diuine Weekes and Workes. Translated by Joshua Sylvester, Gent. Lond. 1641. fol. 8. Camden, William: Britain: or a Chorographical Description of the most flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Islands adjoining. Translated from the Latin, by Philemon Holland, M. D. Lond. 1637. fol. 9. Cardanus Jerome: De Subtilitate, libri xxi. Par. 1551. 8vo. 10. Casaubon, Dr. Meric: Of Credulity and Incredulity, in things Natural, Civil, and Divine. Lond. 1668, 8vo. 11. Caussin, Nicholas : The Holy Court. 1663. fól. 12. Diodorus Siculus: The History of the World; Done into English by Mr. (Henry) Cogan. Lond. 1653. fol. 13. Donne, Dr. John: Poems by J. D. with Elegies on the Author's Death. Lond. 1633. 4to. 14. Drayton, Michael; Poly-Olbion. Lond. (1612.) fol. 15. Dubravius, Janus: De Piscinis et Piscium qui in eis aluntur naturis, libri quinque. 1559. 8vo. 16. Fletcher, Phineas: The Purple Island, or the Isle of Man : together with Piscatorie Eclogs and other Poeticall Miscellanies. By P. F. Cambr. 1633. 4to. 17. Gerard, John: The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes. Lond. 1633. fol. 18. Gesner, Conrad: De Piscibvs et Aqvatilibvs omnibvs Libelli iii. Lat. Germ. Tigur. No date. 12mo. 19 Gesner, Conrad: Historia Naturalis Animalium, libri v. Quadrupedum, Avium, Piscium, et Serpentum. Tigur. 155158. 5 vols. fol. 20. Grotius, Hugo: His Sophompaneas, or Joseph. A Tragedy. With Annotations by Francis Goldsmith, Esq. Lond. No date, but printed about 1634. 8vo. 21. Hakewill, Dr. George: An Apology or Declaration of the Power and Providence of God in the Government of the World. Lond. 1630. fol. 22. Herbert, George: The Temple. Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations. Cambr. 1633. 12mo. 23. Heylin, Dr. Peter: MICROCOSMOS. A Little Description of the Great World. Oxf. 1633. 4to. 24. Josephus, Flavius: Josephus's History: or the Antiquities of the Jews. Translated into English by Thomas Lodge, M. D. Lond. 1602. fol. 25. Jovius, Paulus: De Romanis Piscibus Libellvs. Basil. 1531.8vo. 26. Lessius, Leonardus : Hygiasticon: or the right course of pre serving Life and Health unto extream Old Age. Done into English by T. (imothy) S. (mith.) Cambr. 1634. 12mo. 27. Liebault, Dr. J.: Maison Rustique: or, The Covntrey Farme. Compyled in the French Tongue by Charles Stevens, and John Liebavlt, Doctors of Physicke. And Translated into English by Richard Svrflet, Practitioner in Physicke. Lond. 1616. folio. 28. Matthiolus, Pet. Andr : Epistolæ Medicinalis. Prag. 1561. fol. 29. Montaigne, Mich. de: The Essayes, or Morall, Politicke, and Militarie Discovrses of Lord Michael de Montaigne, Translated by John Florio. Lond. 1632. fol. 30. Moulin, Pierre du: The Accomplishment of the Prophecies, or, the third book in defence of the Catholicke Faith. Translated by J. Heath. Oxf. 1613. 12mo. 31. Obel, Matth. de L': Plantarum seu Stirpium Historia, cum alio volumine adversariorum; per M. de L'Obel et P. Peæn. Antw. 1576. |