Engraved from the Original Picture by Stanfield, in the Potsession of the Publisher.

BERESFORD FALL,

The Seas of Parles Cotton By the retrated Boylor, Fondon Published by Gesten 1.7%. 14. Martins inc. haring Cross

Proct

trout and grayling that England ever had, to testify his regard for Walton, had caused the

"To my most worthy Father and Friend, MR. IZAAK WALTON, the Elder.

"SIR,

"Being you were pleased, some years past, to grant me your free leave to do what I have here attempted; and observing you never retract any promise, when made in favour even of your meanest friends, I accordingly expect to see these following particular directions for the taking of a Trout, to wait upon your better and more general rules for all sorts of Angling; and, though mine be neither so perfect, so well digested, nor indeed so handsomely couched, as they might have been, in so long a time as since your leave was granted; yet I dare affirm them to be generally true: and they had appeared too in something a neater dress, but that I was surprised with the sudden news of a sudden new edition of your Complete Angler; so that, having but a little more than ten days' time to turn me in and rub up my memory, for, in truth, I have not in all this long time, though I have often thought on't, and almost as often resolved to go presently about it, I was forced upon the instant to scribble what I here present you: which I have also endeavoured to accommodate to your own method. And, if mine be clear enough for the honest brothers of the Angle readily to understand, which is the only thing I aim at, then I have my end, and shall need to make no further apology; a writing of this kind not requiring, if I were master of any such thing, any eloquence to set it off, or recommend it; so that if you, in your better judgment, or kindness rather, can allow it passable, for a thing of this nature, you will then do me honour, if the Cypher, fixed and carved in the front of my little fishing-house, may be here explained:

words PISCATORIBUS SACRUM, with a cypher underneath, comprehending the initial letters of both

and to permit me to attend you in public, who, in private, have ever been, am, and ever resolve to be, Sir, "Your most affectionate Son and Servant, "CHARLES COTTON."

Beresford,

10th of March, 1675."

Walton, with that urbanity and good-feeling so conspicuous

in him, on the finishing of his work sent him the following

"To my most honoured Friend, CHARLES COTTON, Esq.

"SIR,

"You now see I have returned you your very pleasant and useful discourse of the Art of Flying-fishing, printed just as it was sent me; for I have been so obedient to your desires, as to endure all the praises you have ventured to fix upon me in it. And when I have thanked you for them, as the effects of an undissembled love; then let me tell you, Sir, that I will really endeavour to live up to the character you have given of me; if there were no other reason, yet, for this alone, that you, that love me so well, and always think what you speak, may not, for my sake, suffer by a mistake in your judgment.

"And, Sir, I have ventured to fill a part of your margin, by way of paraphrase, for the reader's clearer understanding the situation, both of your Fishing-house, and the pleasantness of that you dwell in. And I have ventured also to give him a copy of verses that you were pleased to send me, now some years past; in which he may see a good picture of both; and so much of your own mind too, as will make any