This is not half the happiness Heigh trolollie lollie loe, &c. Though others think they have as much, Then come away, Turn Countryman with me. Jo. CHALKHILL.* *The Rev. Moses Browne, on what authority has not been ascertained, states that Chalkhill was a comedian, and contemporary of Shakspere: the latter, indeed, he would have been by Walton's description, supposing him also the author of "Thealma and Clearchus; a Pastoral History in smooth and easy verse: written long since by John Chalkhill, esq., an acquaintant and friend of Edm. Spencer." This poem was edited by Walton, (his last work), and published in 1683. There was probably a connexion between the family of the author and his editor that may account for the unfinished MS. poem (and it was published in its unfinished state) coming into his hands. A presentation copy of "Walton's Lives," is extant, inscribed in the Author's hand: "For my Brother Chalkhill.Iz. Wa."; and though the term may express affectionate regard more literally than the existing natural tie, yet a connexion does appear in the fact that Walton's father-in-law, Thomas Ken, married to his second wife, Martha, daughter of John Chalkhill, esq., of Kingsbury, co. Middlesex. "I have this to say of the Author," writes Walton, in his Introduction to Thealma, "that he was in his time, a man generally known, and as well beloved; 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." Such was John Chalkhill, in the words of a man whose strict reverence for truth would have scorned a falsehood, even could there be shewn the least occasion for a mask. "Mr. Singer was the first to question the authenticity of Walton's statement, and his researches satisfied him that Chalkhill was altogether a fictitious personage,"-" a verbal phantom-a shadow of a shade;" and the Retrospective Reviewer (v.iv. p. 231), superadding his own infelicitous conclusion, supposed Chalkhill to be merely "a nomme de guerre, like Peter Pinder or Barry Cornwall." Doubtlessly these "researches" discovered that more than rara avis--a mare's nest; and afford perhaps as melancholy instances of hypercritical assumption as may be met with. See further, Gent. Mag. v. 93, p. ii., pp. 418, 493. It may be observed, however, that the John Chalkhill, buried in the cloisters at Winchester, in 1679, aged 80, could hardly have been the " acquaintant and friend of Edm. Spencer," who died in 1598. PISC. Well sung Coridon; this song was sung with mettle, and it was choicely fitted to the occasion; I shall love you for it as long as I know you: I would you were a brother of the Angle; for a companion that is cheerful, and free from swearing and scurrilous discourse, is worth gold. I love such mirth as does not make friends ashamed to look upon one another next morning; nor men that cannot well bear it, to repent the money they spend when they be warmed with drink and take this for a rule, you may pick out such times and such companies that you may make yourselves merrier for a little than a great deal of money; for "'Tis the company and not the charge that makes the feast:" and such a companion you prove, I thank you for it. But I will not compliment you out of the debt that I owe you; and therefore I will begin my song, and wish it may be so well liked. THE ANGLER'S SONG. As inward love breeds outward talk, The Hound some praise, and some the Hawk: Some better pleas'd with private sport, Use Tennis, some a Mistress court: But these delights I neither wish, Who Hunts, doth oft in danger ride; A loser; but who falls in love, Is fettered in fond Cupid's snare: Of recreation, there is none All other pastimes do no less I care not, I, to fish in seas, Fresh rivers best my mind do please; In civil bounds I fain would keep, And when the timorous Trout I wait And when none bite, I praise the wise, But yet, though while I fish I fast, As well content no prize to take, Where, which is in no other game, The first men that our Saviour dear Whom he to follow him hath chose.-W. B. COR. Well sung, Brother: you have paid your debt in good coin; we Anglers are all beholden to the good man that made this song. Come, Hostess, give us more ale, and let's drink to him. And now let's every one go to bed, that we may rise early; but first let's pay our reckoning, for 1 will have nothing to hinder me in the morning; for my purpose is to prevent the sun rising. PET. A match: come Coridon, you are to be my bed-fellow I know, Brother, you and your Scholar will lie together; but where shall we meet to-morrow night? for my friend Coridon and I will go up the water towards Ware. Pisc. And I and my Scholar will go down towards Waltham. COR. Then let's meet here; for here are fresh sheets that smell of lavender, and I am sure we cannot expect better meat, or better usage in any place. PET. 'Tis a match. Good night to every body. PISC. And so say I. VEN. And so say I. CHAPTER V. More directions how to fish for, and how to make for, the Trout, an Artificial Minnow and Flies; with some merriment. PISCATOR. Good morrow, good Hostess; I see my brother Peter is still in bed. Come, give my Scholar and me a morning-drink, and a bit of meat to breakfast; and be sure to get a good dish of meat or two against supper, for we shall come home as hungry as hawks. Come, Scholar, let's be going. VEN. Well now, good Master, as we walk towards the river give me direction, according to your promise, how I shall fish for a Trout. Pisc. My honest Scholar, I will take this very convenient opportunity to do it. The Trout is usually caught with a worm or a Minnow, which some call a Penk, or with a fly, viz. either a natural or an artificial fly: concerning which three I will give you some observations and directions, And first, for worms: of these there be very many sorts; some breed only in the earth, as the Earthworm; others of or amongst plants, as the Dugworm; and others breed either out of excrements or |