Waltoniana by Isaak Walton
I >>
Isaak Walton >> Waltoniana
* * * * *
DEDICATION OF THE THIRD EDITION
OF RELIQUIAE WOTTONIANAE.
1672.
[Reliquiae Wottonianae: or a Collection of Lives, Letters, Poems; with
Characters of Sundry Personages: and other Incomparable Pieces of Language
and Art. Also Additional Letters to several Persons, not before Printed.
By the Curious Pencil of the Ever Memorable Sir Henry Wotton, K't, Late
Provost of Eaton Colledge. The Third Edition, with large Additions.
London: Printed by T. Roycroft, for R. Marriott, F. Tyton, T. Collins,
and J. Ford, 1672.]
_To the Right Honourable_ PHILIP _Earl of Chesterfield, Lord Stanhop of
Shelford._
MY LORD,
I have conceived many Reasons, why I ought in Justice to Dedicate these
Reliques of Your Great Uncle, Sir Henry Wotton, to Your Lordship; some
of which are, that both Your Grand-mother and Mother had a double Right
to them by a Dedication when first made Publick; as also, for their
assisting me then, and since, with many Material Informations for the
Writing his Life; and for giving me many of the Letters that have fallen
from his curious Pen: so that they being now dead, these Reliques descend
to You, as Heir to them, and the Inheritor of the memorable Bocton Palace,
the Place of his Birth, where so many of the Ancient, and Prudent, and
Valiant Family of the Wottons lie now Buried; whose remarkable Monuments
You have lately Beautified, and to them added so many of so great Worth,
as hath made it appear, that at the Erecting and Adorning them, You were
above the thought of Charge, that they might, if possible, (for 'twas no
easie undertaking) hold some proportion with the Merits of Your Ancestors.
My Lord, These are a part of many more Reasons that have inclin'd me to
this Dedication; and these, with the Example of a Liberty that is not
given, but now too usually taken by many Scriblers, to make trifling
Dedications, might have begot a boldness in some Men of as mean as my
mean Abilities to have undertaken this. But indeed, my Lord, though I was
ambitious enough of undertaking it; yet, as Sir Henry Wotton hath said
in a Piece of his own Character, _That he was condemn'd by Nature to a
bashfulness in making Requests_: so I find myself (pardon the Parallel)
so like him in this, that if I had not had more Reasons then I have yet
exprest, these alone had not been powerful enough to have created a
Confidence in me to have attempted it. Two of my unexprest Reasons are,
(_give me leave to tell them to Your Lordship and the World_) that Sir
Henry Wotton, whose many Merits made him an Ornament even to Your Family,
was yet so humble, as to acknowledge me to be his Friend; and died in a
belief that I was so: since which time, I have made him the best return
of my Gratitude for his Condescention, that I have been able to express,
or he capable of receiving: and, am pleased with my self for so doing.
My other Reason of this boldness, is, an incouragement (_very like a
command_) from Your worthy Cousin, and my Friend, _Mr. Charles Cotton_, who
hath assured me, that You are such a Lover of the Memory of Your Generous
Unkle, Sir Henry Wotton, that if there were no other Reason then my
endeavors to preserve it, yet, that that alone would secure this
Dedication from being unacceptable.
I wish, that nor he, nor I be mistaken; and that I were able to make You
a more Worthy Present.
My Lord, I am and will be
Your Humble and most
Affectionate Servant,
IZAAK WALTON.
Feb. 27, 1672.
* * * * *
LETTER TO MARRIOTT
1673.
[The original is preserved in Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and was
printed for the first time in Sir Harris Nicolas' Life of Walton
(Pickering, 1837), lxxix, lxxx.]
M'R. MARRIOTT,
I have received Bentevolio, and in it M'r. Her's. life; I thank you for
both. I have since I saw you received from M'r. Milington so much of M'r.
Hales his life as M'r. Faringdon had writ; and have made many inquiries
concerning him of many that knew him, namely of M'rs. Powny, of Windsor,
(at whose house he died), and as I have heard, so have set them down, that
my memory might not lose them. M'r. Mountague did at my being in Windsor
promise me to summon his memory, and set down what he knew of him. This I
desired him to do at his best leisure, and write it down, and he that knew
him and all his affairs best of any man is like to do it very well,
because I think he will do it affectionately, so that if M'r. Fulman make
his queries concerning that part of his life spent in Oxford, he will
have many, and good, I mean true informations from M'r. Faringdon, till
he came thither, and by me and my means since he came to Eton.
This I write that you may inform M'r. Fulman of it, and I pray let him
know I will not yet give over my queries; and let him know that I hope to
meet him and the Parliament in health and in London in October, and then
and there deliver up my collections to him. In the mean time I wish him
and you health; and pray let him know it either by your writing to him,
or sending him this of mine.
God keep us all in his favour,
his and your friend to serve you,
IZAAK WALTON.
Winchester, 24th August, 1673.
* * * * *
PREFACE TO THEALMA AND
CLEARCHUS.
1678.
[Thealma and Clearchus, a Pastoral History, in smooth and easie Verse.
Written long since, By John Chalkhill, Esq.; an Acquaintant and Friend of
Edmund Spencer. London: Printed for Benj. Tooke, at the Ship in S. Paul's
Church-yard, 1683.]
_The Preface._
The Reader will find in this Book, what the Title declares, A Pastoral
History, in smooth and easie Verse; and will in it find many Hopes and
Fears finely painted, and feelingly express'd. And he will find the first
so often disappointed, when fullest of desire and expectation; and the
later, so often, so strangely, and so unexpectedly reliev'd, by an
unforeseen Providence, as may beget in him wonder and amazement.
And the Reader will here also meet with Passions heightned by easie and
fit descriptions of Joy and Sorrow; and find also such various events
and rewards of innocent Truth and undissembled Honesty, as is like to
leave in him (if he be a good natur'd Reader) more sympathizing and
virtuous Impressions, than ten times so much time spent in impertinent,
critical, and needless Disputes about Religion: and I heartily wish it may
do so.
And, I have also this truth to say of the Author, that he was in his time
a man generally known, and as well belov'd; for he was humble, and obliging
in his behaviour, a Gentleman, a Scholar, very innocent and prudent: and
indeed his whole life was useful, quiet, and virtuous. God send the Story
may meet with, or make all Readers like him.
I.W.[1]
May 7, 1678.
FOOTNOTES
[1] The Poem of Thealma and Clearchus was left in an unfinished state:
it terminates abruptly with the half line
"Thealma lives"--
Upon which Walton adds
_And here the Author dy'd, and I hope the Reader will be sorry._
* * * * *
LETTER TO JOHN AUBREY.
1680.
[The original is amongst Aubrey's MSS. in the Ashmolian Museum: annexed
to it is the following note by Aubrey: "This account I received from Mr.
Isaac Walton (who wrote Dr. Donne's Life), &c. Decemb. 2, 1680, he being
then eighty-seven years of age. This is his own hand-writing, I.A." _See
Walton's Lives, With Notes and the Life of the Author by Thomas Zouch,
third edition. York, 1817._ Vol. II. pp. 353-356.]
_ffor y'r friends q'ue this._
I only knew Ben Jonson: But my Lord of Winton knew him very well; and
says, he was in the 6th, that is, the uppermost fforme in Westminster
scole, at which time his father dyed, and his mother married a brickelayer,
who made him (much against his will) help him in his trade; but in a short
time, his scolemaister, M'r. Camden, got him a better imployment, which
was to atend or acompany a son of Sir Walter Rauley's in his travills.
Within a short time after their return, they parted (I think not in cole
bloud) and with a love sutable to what they had in their travilles (not
to be commended). And then Ben began to set up for himself in the trade
by which he got his subsistance and fame, of which I need not give any
account. He got in time to have a 100L a yeare from the king, also a
pension from the cittie, and the like from many of the nobilitie and some
of the gentry, w'ch was well pay'd, for love or fere of his railing in
verse, or prose, or boeth. My lord told me, he told him he was (in his
long retyrement and sickness, when he saw him, which was often) much
afflickted, that hee had profained the scripture in his playes, and
lamented it with horror: yet that, at that time of his long retyrement,
his pension (so much as came in) was giuen to a woman that gouern'd him
(with whome he liu'd and dyed near the Abie in Westminster); and that
nether he nor she tooke too much care for next weike: and wood be sure
not to want wine: of w'ch he usually tooke too much before he went to
bed, if not oftener and soner. My lord tells me, he knowes not, but
thinks he was born in Westminster. The question may be put to Mr. Wood
very easily upon what grounds he is positive as to his being born their;
he is a friendly man, and will resolve it. So much for braue Ben. You will
not think the rest so tedyous as I doe this.
ffor y'r 2 and 3 q'ue of Mr. Hill, and Bilingsley, I do neither know nor
can learn any thing worth teling you.
for y'r two remaining q'ue of Mr. Warner, and Mr. Harriott this:
Mr. Warner did long and constantly lodg nere the water-stares, or market,
in Woolstable. Woolstable is a place not far from Charing-Crosse, and
nerer to Northumberland-house. My lord of Winchester tells me, he knew
him, and that he sayde, he first found out the cerculation of the blood,
and discover'd it to Dr. Haruie (who said that 'twas he (himselfe) that
found it) for which he is so memorally famose. Warner had a pension of 40l.
a yeare from that Earle of Northumberland that lay so long a prisner in
the Towre, and som allowance from Sir Tho. Aylesbury, and with whom he
usually spent his sumer in Windsor Park, and was welcom, for he was
harmles and quet. His winter was spent at the Woolstable, where he dyed
in the time of the parlement of 1640, of which or whome, he was no louer.
Mr. Herriott, my lord tells me, he knew also: That he was a more gentile
man than Warner. That he had 120L a yeare pension from the said Earle
(who was a louer of their studyes), and his lodgings in Syon-house, where
he thinks, or believes, he dyed.
This is all I know or can learne for your friend; which I wish may be
worth the time and trouble of reading it.
I.W.
Nou'r. 22, 80.
* * * * *
IZAAK WALTON'S WILL.
1683.
August the 9th, 1683.
In the name of God Amen. I Izaak Walton the elder of Winchester being
this present day in the neintyeth yeare of my age and in perfect memory
for wich praysed be God: but Considering how sodainly I may be deprived
of boeth doe therfore make this my last will and testament as followeth.
And first I doe [declare] my beleife to be that their is only one God
who hath made the whole world and me and all mankinde to whome I shall
give an acount of all my actions which are not to be justified, but I hope
pardoned for the merits of my saviour Jesus.--And because [the profession
of] Cristianity does at this time, seime to be subdevided into papist and
protestant, I take it to be at least convenient to declare my beleife to
be in all poynts of faith, as the Church of England now professeth. And
this I doe the rather, because of a very long and very trew friendmip
with some of the Roman Church.
And for my worldly estate, (which I have nether got by falshood or
flattery or the extreme crewelty of the law of this nation,) I doe hereby
give and bequeth it as followeth.--First I give my son-in-law Doc'r.
Hawkins and to his Wife, to them I give all my tytell and right of or in
a part of a howse and mop in Pater-noster-rowe in London: which I hold by
lease from the Lord Bishop of London for about 50 years to come and I
doe also give to them all my right and tytell of or to a howse in
Chansery-lane, London; where in M'rs. Greinwood now dwelleth, in which is
now about 16 years to come. I give these two leases to them, they saving
my executor from all damage concerning the same. (And I doe also give to
my saide dafter all my books this day at Winchester and Droxford: and
what ever ells I can call mine their, except a trunk of linen w'ch I give
my son Izaak Walton, but if he doe not marry, or use the saide linen
himselfe, then I give the same to my grand-doughter Anne Hawkins).
And I give to my son Izaak, all my right and tytell to a lease of
Norington farme, which I hold from the lord B'p. of Winton.
And I doe also give him all my right and tytell to a farme or land near
to Stafford: which I bought of M'r. Walter Noell: I say, I give it to him
and [his] heares for ever, but upon the condition following. Namely--If
my sone shall not marry before he shall be of the age of forty and one
yeare; or being marryed shall dye before the saide age and leve noe son
to inherit the saide farme or land: or if his son [or sonns] shall not
live to ataine the age of twentie and one yeare, to dispose otherwayes of
it, then I give the saide farme or land to the towne or corperation of
Stafford (in which I was borne,) for the good and benifit of some of the
saide towne, as I shall direct and as followeth, but first note, that it
is at this presant time rented for 21li. 10s. a yeare (and is like to
hold the said rent, if care be taken to keipe the barne and howsing in
repaire) and I wood have and doe give ten pownd of the saide rent, to
binde out yearely two boyes, the sons of honest and pore parents to be
apprentices to som tradesmen or handy-craftmen, to the intent the saide
boyes [may] the better afterward get their owne living.--And I doe also
give five pownd yearly, out of the said rent to be given to some
meade-servant, that hath atain'd the age of twenty and [one] yeare (not
les), and dwelt long in one servis, or to som honeft pore man's daughter,
that hath atain'd to that age, to [be] paide her, at or on the day of her
marriage.
And this being done, my will is, that what rent shall remaine of the saide
farme or land, shall be disposed of as followeth.
First I doe give twenty shillings yearely, to be spent by the maior of
Stafford and those that shall colect the said rent: and dispose of it as
I have and shall hereafter direct. And that what mony or rent shail
remaine undisposed offe shall be imployed to buie coles for some pore
people, that shall most neide them in the said towne; the saide coles to
be delivered the last weike in Janewary, or in every first weike in
Febrewary: I say then, because I take that time to be the hardest and
most pinching times with pore people. And God reward those that shall doe
this with out partialitie and with honestie and a good contience.
And if the saide maior and others of the saide towne of Stafford, shall
prove so necligent or dishonest as not to imploy the rent by me given as
intended and exprest in this my will, (which God forbid,) then I give the
saide rents and profits, of the saide farme or land, to the towne and
chiefe magestrats or governers of Ecles-hall, to be disposed by them in
such maner as I have ordered the disposall of it, by the towne of Stafford,
the said Farme or land being nere the towne of Ecles-hall.
And I give to my son-in-law Doctor Hawkins, (whome I love as my owne son)
and to my dafter his wife, and my son Izaak to each of them a ring with
these words or motto;--love my memory, I.W. obiet = to the Lord B'p of
Winton a ring with this motto--a mite for a million: I.W. obiet = "And
to the freinds hearafter named I give to each of them a ring with this
motto--A friends farewell. I.W. obiet" = and my will is, the said rings
be delivered within fortie dayes of my deth. and that the price or valew
of all the saide rings shall be--l3s. 4d. a peice.
I give to Doctor Hawkins Docto'r Donns Sermons; which I have hear'd
preacht, and read with much content, to my son Izaak I give Doc'r Sibbs
his _Soules Conflict_ and to my doughter his _Brewsed Reide_; desiring
them to reade them so, as to be well aquanted with them, and I also give
to her all my bookes at Winchester and Droxford, and what ever in those
two places are or I can call mine: except a trunk of linen, which I gave
to my son Izaak, but if he doe not live to make use of it, then I give
the same to my grand-dafter, Anne Hawkins: And I give my dafter Doc'r
Halls Works which be now at Farnham.
To my son Izaak I give all my books, (not yet given) at Farnham Castell
and a deske of prints and pickters; also a cabinet nere my beds head, in
w'ch are som littell things that he will valew, tho of noe greate worth.
And my will and desyre is, that he will be kind to his Ante Beacham and
his ant Rose Ken: by alowing the first about fiftie shilling a yeare in
or for bacon and cheise (not more), and paying 4li. a yeare toward the
bordin of her son's dyut to M'r. John Whitehead. for his ante Ken, I desyre
him to be kinde to her according to her necessitie and his owne abillitie.
and I comend one of her children to breide up (as I have saide I intend
to doe) if he shall be able to doe it as I know he will; for, they be
good folke.
I give to M'r. John Darbishire the Sermons of M'r. Antony Faringdon, or
of do'r Sanderson, which my executor thinks fit to my servant, Thomas
Edghill I give five pownd in mony, and all my clothes linen and wollen
except one sute of clothes, (which I give to M'r. Holinihed, and forty
shiling) if the saide Thomas be my servant at my deth, if not my cloths
only.
And I give my old friend M'r. Richard Marriot ten pownd in mony, to be
paid him within . 3 . months after my deth. and I desyre my son to shew
kindenes to him if he shall neide, and my son can spare it.
And I doe hereby will and declare my son Izaak to be my sole executo'r of
this my last will and testament; and Do'r Hawkins, to see that he performs
it, which I doubt not but he will.
I desyre my buriall may be nere the place of my deth; and free from any
ostentation or charg, but privately: this I make to be my last will, (to
which I only add the codicell for rings,) this 16. day of August, 1683.
Witnes to this will. IZAAK WALTON.
The rings I give are as on the other side.
To my brother Jon Ken. to my brother Beacham.
to my sister his wife. to my sister his wife,
to my brother Docr Ken. to the lady Anne How.
to my sister Pye. to M'rs. King Dor Philips wife.
to M'r. Francis Morley. to M'r. Valantine Harecourt.
to Sr George Vernon. to M'rs. Elyza Johnson.
to his wife. to M'rs. Mary Rogers.
to his 3 dafters to M'rs. Elyza Milward,
to M'rs. Nelson. to M'rs. Doro. Wallop.
to M'r. Rich. Walton. to M'r. Will. Milward of
to M'r. Palmer. Christ-Church, Oxford.
to M'r. Taylor. to M'r. John Darbeshire.
to M'r. Tho. Garrard. to M'r. Veudvill.
to the Lord Bp. of Sarum. to M'rs. Rock.
to M'r. Rede his Servant. to M'r. Peter White.
to my Coz. Dorothy Kenrick. to M'r. John Lloyde.
to my Coz. Lewin. to my Coz Greinsells
to M'r. Walter Higgs. ---- widow
to M'r. Cha Cotton. 16 M'rs. Dalbin must not
to M'r. Rich. Marryot. be forgotten.
----
22
Note that several lines are blotted }
out of this will for they are twice }
repeted: And, that this will is now } IZAAK WALTON
signed & sealed, this twenty and }
fourth day of October 1683 in the }
presence of us-- }
Witnes, Abra. Markland.
Jos: Taylor,
Thomas Crawley.