AN ANGLER'S MEMORIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 308, 29 December 1922, Page 4

AN ANGLER'S MEMORIAL.

When on August ». lf,S:t. Izaak Walton wrote his will, '"in the neintyoth for which praised be God," and left Ms worldly estate, which lie had iirquired

'"neither by falsehood or flattery, or the extreme erewclty of the law of tliis nation." for charitable purposes, lie can little have thought that his cottage at Shallowford would one day be bought by the friends of a rich American business man for preservation as a museum. Yet his gentle soul would probably have perceived that no better charity could well have been devised, for there are many in America to-day who sadly need to be put in mind of that gospel of thankful content for which Walton stood. "Tt may he noted." he says in his life of Sanderson, "that in this ape there are a sort of people so unlike the God of mercy, co void of the bowels of pity, that they love only themselves and their children: love them so as not to be concerned whether the rest of mankind waste their days in sorrow or shame:

people thnf'"lire cursed with riches, and a mistake that nothing but riches ran mukc them and theirs happy." The charm of a book like "The Compleat Angler" can never he explained. "It is n liook," say* Andrew l.ang. 'to be marked with flowers. mursh-ninrigolde and fritillarics. and petals of the yellow iris, for the whole provokes Uβ to content, iind whispers that word of the apostle, study to lie <iuiet." In his own age Walton must have !ind something of the charm which Wordsworth had in his. He takee us away from the stir and unrest of troublous times to the rivers and meadows, and the riso of Tottenham Hill. He has the simple, unquestioning faith of the ancient religious Athenian in the opening of Plato"* Republic, or Virgil's aged gardener. He lived in troublous times, and underwent many bereavements, yet he never lost his belief or his sweetness of heart. In recommend ing the Angler to Coleridge Charles Lamb said: "It breathes the very spirit of innocence, purity and simplicity of heart: it would sweeten a mans temper at any time to read it; it. would Christianise every Allgry, discordant passion; pray make yourself acquainted with it." Many Knglishmen may regret the fate that has befallen the building, but they will be able to console themselves with the thought that it will net as « link between themselves and their kinsmen overseas, and will hind together those gentle, loving souls who "do not forget to pay their praises to Him that made that sun and us. and still protects us. »nif gives us flowers, and showers, and ; stomachs, anil meat, and content, mid leisure to go a-fishing."