(Qacnell Hntuetattg Hibcatg Jt^aca, New %nrlt BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF HENRY W. SAGE 1891 Cornell University Library SH 435.M37 Thomas Ken and Izaak Walton, a sketch of 3 1924 012 374 280 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924012374280 THOMAS KEN and IZAAK WALTON — —— — — WORKS BY E. MARSTON After Work : Fragments from the Workshop of an Old Publisher, Second issue, demy 8vo, cloth, js. 6d. net. "The spirit in which it is written and its literary ability will insure it a welcome." The Titties. An Amateur Aneler's Days in Dove Dale. Has loDg since oeen out of print, and is scarce. Dove Dale Revisited. Fcap. 8vo., Illustrated, 2J. 6(r. net, large paper 6j. net. ' * A pleasant record of pleasant places. "— AthencBUin, An Old Man's Holidays. Fcap. 8vo., 2f. and xs Edition de Luxe 6j. net. " Extremely bright and told with a ring of sportsmanlike enthusiasm." Country Gentleman. Booksellers of Other Days. Fcap. 8vo., Illustrated, ^s. net. *' Undeniably mteresting.*' The Atltenffujn. Booksellers of Dr. Johnson's Time. Fcap. 8vo., Illustrated, 5;. net. " The doyen of London publishers has a right to be heard.'*— 7"^^ Times. *' On a Sunshine Holy Day." Fcap. 8vo., xs. 6d. " Shows the author of 'Dove Dale Revisited' at his best.— The World. By Meadow and Stream. Fcap. 8vo., is. and IS. 6d. (large paper 6s. net, out of print"). ** There are passages in it of quite idyllic charm." —The Speaker. Fresh Woods and Pastures New. Fcap., IS. and I J. 6d. Other editions out of print. " Both in subject and treatment it is a gem." Nature. Days in Clover. Fcap. 8vo., is. and u. 6^ Other editions out of print. "Delightful to the contemplative man." Illustrated London News. Pishing for Pleasure and Catching it. Fcap. 8vo., 3^'. 6d. net, limp leather 5^- net. Published by T. Werner Laurie. prank's Ranch, or My Holidays in the Rockies. Fcap. 8vo., Illustrated, sj. Six editions out 0/iirint/or years {sl few copies of 5th edition may still be had). How Stanley wrote "In Darkest Africa," A Trip to Cairo and back. Fcap. 8vo. Illus- trated (out of print). How Does it Peel to be Old? Fcap. 8vo., IS. net. Large paper edition, crown 8vo., 2J. 6d. net (only a few copies printed). Contents: I. How Does it Feel to be Old?— II. Smoking Tobacco.—III. Youth and Age.—IV. Time's Footsteps.—V. Sight : Spectacles.—VI. Hearing.—Vn. Memory.—VIII. Sleep and Sleep- lessness.—IX. Reading in Bed.—X. Walking and Running.—XI, Angling and Old Age. —XII. How to Live to be a Hundred. SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & CO., LTD., 100, SOUTHWAHK STREET', LONDON, S.E. < '/.7// THOMAS KEN, D.D., BISHOP OF BATH AND WELLS [From a dra"i.vingfur7iished to Mr. Bowles by Sir Rich. Colt IIoayt\ Bart.) [FrojitispitYe. " THOMAS KEN AND IZAAK WALTON A SKETCH OF THEIR LIVES And Family Connection E^^MARSTON "^ F.R.G.S. (The Amateur Angler) WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS DR. DONNE S SEAL USED IN I. WALTON S WILL ' Gi've me neither Poverty nor Riches Prov. XXX. 8. LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON l^^ |, NEW YORK, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA ,, j 1908 ;^ ^ ! vi PREFATORY NOTE he says, "of our American Egypt, in the land of Montezuma ; we are in our element ; fresh, pure, clear, desert air, and the resurrection among the Aztec ruins going on around us." Then he goes on to say that he had given a copy of one of my books to an old gentleman there " who is troubled and disabled with the American Millionaire's disease, having got together more than he can get rid of, or, as they express it here, he has bitten off more than he can chew ! " (" Poor rich man, I pity him perfectly," as Izaak Walton says.) " It is not often he enjoys anything as he does your book ; he says it is a tonic all through. He is an old angler, and is so delighted with it that he is sending you some large photo- graphs of his own sport at Catalina Island." To have given pleasure to such an unhappy being as a Millionaire must necessarily be, is too great a pleasure for me to keep to myself, I must ask thee, gentle reader, to share it with me I leave Thomas Ken and Izaak Walton to thy tender mercies. The work professes nothing more than to furnish a sketch of the lives of two men of opposite tastes and pursuits, brought into intimate relationship by the force of circumstances. They were both good men and honest anglers ; the first was a fisher of Men, the second an angler of PREFATORY NOTE vii Fish. They were not Millionaires, and so their lives were happy and contented. They lived and died in charity with all men. It only remains for me to thank Sir Henry Harben for the beautiful photograph specially taken for me of the Walton Cabinet, now in his possession. I have also to thank Mr. R. B. Marston and Messrs. Sampson Low & Co. for allowing me to use the beautiful Vignettes which appeared in the Lea and Dove Edition of "The Complete Angler." E. M. NEAR CHINGFORD, RIVER LEA MEDMENHAM ABBEY, RIVER THAMES CONTENTS PART I CHAPTER I PAGE Life of Ken by Hawkins—By Bowles—Plumptre and others—Ken's birth and parentage—The Ken pedigree— His Hymns—Izaak Walton and the Cranmers—Walton's first wife Rachel .... 3 CHAPTER H Izaak Walton's Prayer-Book—Story of it—The register in it—Death of Anne Walton—Her epitaph, original draft of—Facsimile from the Prayer-Book—How the copy was made .... 12 CHAPTER HI Thomas Ken—Scholar at Winchester—Entry of his admission— His musical voice—At HertfordCoUege, —— X CONTENTS I'AGE Oxford—Fellow of New College, Oxford—Milton's terrible denunciation of Church of England Cowper's opinion of Milton—Stephen Marshall- Ken takes his degree of B.A.—Elected Fellow of Winchester '9 CHAPTER IV Ken becomes domestic chaplain to Bishop Morley Traditional but singular friendship between Morley and Walton—^Walton and "Kenna" at the cottage near Stafford, 1648-9—Morley takes refuge with them—Imaginary conversations—Farewell poem 25 CHAPTER V Morley's departure to join the King—His return with Charles at the Restoration—Is made Dean of Christchurch—Then Bishop of Worcester—Then Bishop of Winchester—Izaak Walton's residence with him—Death of Bishop Morley— Ken made Prebendary of Winchester—Composes the two most celebrated hymns—Made chaplain to Comp- troller of Royal Household—Ken and young Izaak Walton go to Rome—Takes his doctor's degree — Embarks for Holland with Princess of Orange Return to England—^Nell Gwynne—Expedition to Tangier—Made Bishop of Bath and Wells ... 37 CHAPTER VI Ken in possession of bishopric—Duke of Monmouth's rebellion—Ken appointed to attend the Duke's execution—Terrible scene—Seven bishops sent to — CONTENTS XI the Tower—Their release—Abdication of James II. — Proclamation of William and Mary—Ken refuses to take the Oath of Allegiance—Burnet's letter to him—His reply—His resignation—Retire- ment to Longleat—Letter to Mrs. Gregge—James died 1791 47 CHAPTER VII Accession of OUEEN Anne— Queen offers to restore bishopric to Ken—Declined by him—Tremendous hurricane, 1703 — Ken's letter thereon — His narrow escape —Bishop Kidder killed in the same storm—Queen Anne settles pension on him—His letter of thanks—His death 59 CHAPTER VIII Account of his illness at Lewson House, Sherbourne —Removed to Longleat— His death—His will Characteristics 65 NEAR LEWES, RIVER OARE — — — NEAR EDMONTON PJRT II CHAPTER I FAGE Prolog-ue Kex and Walton by Bowles— " Compleat Angler," first edition—Lea and Dove Edition Sir John Hawkins's " Life of Walton " Notes and Qitci-ies—William Oldys found the principal facts for Sir John Hawkins 8i CHAPTER H IZAAK Walton—Birth and birthplace—Birth in town of Stafford—Jervis Walton— Dr. Zouch— Error about Walton's mother and Walton's first wife Rachel—Grand-daughter of Thomas Cranmer, Archdeacon of Canterbury, brother of Archbishop Cranmer — Actual house of birth uncertain — Walton's boyhood, nothing known of— Finding his way to London at the age of i6 —(Suggestion that he ma\' have arrived miicli earlier) — Apprenticeship to Thomas Grinsell— IMember of Ironmongers' Company—Was he ironmonger or — 1 CONTENTS xiii PAGE sempster—Poem addressed to him by Samuel Page 91 CHAPTER III Walton describes himself in marriage licence as iron- monger—His first marriage—Copy of licence at Canterbury—Rachel Floud—Grinsell's calling of ironmonger or sempster further considered — Walton's settlement in Fleet Street—Acquaint- ance with Dr. Donne—Queen Elizabeth's visit to Sir Thomas Gresham—Verses strewed on her from the Harrow adjoining Walton's house by students—^Death of Dr. Donne—Donne's blood- stone seals designed by himself, a crucifix on anchor, for presentation to his friends—Walton asked by Sir H. Wotton to write the Life of Donne—"Life of Donne" first published, 1640 Applauded by King Charles 1 10 CHAPTER IV Walton in Chancery Lane, 1628-1644—Loss of seven children between the years 1627 and 1642 ; also his wife and mother-in-law—His wedded life Walton has left no reference to his first wife, except the line in the Prayer-Book, "Rachel died 1640"—His residence 1644 to 1651 uncertain, but partly in Stafford and partly elsewhere—His property at Stafford—The Angler's Wish, facsimile of his writing m CHAPTER V The Walton Charity to the Borough of Stafford 120 — xiv CONTENTS CHAPTER VI PAGB Walton's second marriage — Date and place of marriage suggested by inscription on Dower Copper—1h.e.