Izaak Walton

Editor: Richard LeGallienne / (See also #683)

In "Waltoniana," Izaak Walton offers a rich tapestry of anecdotes, reflections, and insights that celebrate the art of angling and the beauty of nature. This collection mirrors 17th-century prose, characterized by its ornate language and reflective tone, which captures the essence of both fishing and the philosophical contemplations of life. Waltons work traverses the boundaries of literary genres, blending autobiography, nature writing, and theological discourse, touching upon the profound connection between a mans spirit and the natural world around him. Through lyrical passages, Walton encapsulates the tranquility found in the pursuit of fishing, positioning it as a meditative practice intertwined with moral reflection. Izaak Walton, an English writer and a devoted angler, is best known for his seminal work, "The Compleat Angler." His deep appreciation for nature and its teachings, rooted in his own experiences as a fisherman and the moral lessons he gleaned from them, informs "Waltoniana." This book reflects WaltonAos belief in the restorative power of nature, as well as his intent to preserve the traditions of fishing and the camaraderie it fosters, compelling him to combine his passion for angling with philosophical inquiry. "Waltoniana" is an essential read for anyone interested in the literary intersections of nature, philosophy, and leisure. WaltonAos mastery in blending rich storytelling with deep spiritual themes not only enchants the reader but also invites a reflective pause on the beauties of life and the simple joys found therein. It stands as a testimony to the enduring allure of fishing, making it a must-have for both literary enthusiasts and fishing aficionados alike.

Supplementary Material added by Austin Dobson / Contents: / The Life of Mr. Richard Hooker / The Life of Mr. George Herbert, Prebendary of Salisbury Cathedral / The Life of Dr. Robert Sanderson, Late

"Lectura llena de enseñanzas. A modo de diálogo el autor nos ofrece un texto ameno, bello y lleno de escenas alegres. (...) Un pilar básico de la literatura no solamente piscícola. Un clásico vivo."

Contents:1. The Pilgrims Progress, by John Bunyan2. The Lives of Donne and Herbert, by Izaak WaltonAlso available:The Complete Harvard Classics Collection (51 Volumes + The Harvard Classic Shelf Of Fiction)50 Masterpieces You Have To Read Before You Die (Golden Deer Classics)

The Compleat Angler is a celebration of the art and spirit of fishing in prose and verse. Walton did not profess to be an expert with the fly, but in the use of the live worm, the grasshopper and the frog "Piscator" could speak as a master. There were originally only two interlocutors in the opening scene, "Piscator" and "Viator"; but in the second edition, as if in answer to an objection that "Piscator" had it too much in his own way in praise of angling, he introduced the falconer, "Auceps," changed "Viator" into "Venator" and made the new companions each dilate on the joys of his favourite sport.

The full title of Waltons book of short biographies is, Lives of John Donne, Henry Wotton, Richd Hooker, George Herbert, &C. Sir Henry Wotton was an English author, diplomat and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1614 and 1625. He is often quoted as saying, "An ambassador is an honest gentleman sent to lie abroad for the good of his country. Richard Hooker was an Anglican priest and an influential theologian. Hookers emphases on reason, tolerance and the value of tradition came to exert a lasting influence on the development of the Church of England. In retrospect he has been taken as a founder of Anglican theological thought. George Herbert was a Welsh-born English poet, orator and Anglican priest. John Donne was an English poet, satirist, lawyer and a cleric in the Church of England. He is considered the pre-eminent representative of the metaphysical poets. Waltons leisurely labours as a biographer seem to have grown out of his devotion to angling. It was probably as an angler that he made the acquaintance of Sir Henry Wotton, but it is clear that Walton had more than a love of fishing and a humorous temper to recommend him to the friendship of the accomplished ambassador. Walton completed and published the life of Donne, much to the satisfaction of the most learned critics, in 1640. Sir Henry Wotton dying in 1639, Walton undertook his life also; it was finished in 1642 and published in 1651. His life of Hooker was published in 1662, that of George Herbert in 1670. All these subjects were endeared to the biographer by a certain gentleness of disposition and cheerful piety; three of them at leastDonne, Wotton and Herbertwere anglers. Their lives were evidently written with loving pains, in the same leisurely fashion as his Angler, and like it are of value less as exact knowledge than as harmonious and complete pictures of character.

El perfecto pescador de caña es ya considerado como un libro clásico de la literatura universal. Escrito originalmente en 1653, se trata de una obra de pesca que, a pesar de los años transcurridos, sigue gozando de gran aceptacion por parte de los lectores, tanto los amantes de la pesca, como los que se acercan por simple curiosidad y descubren un texto de gran calidad literaria.La primera parte cuenta el viaje iniciatico de un maestro y su pupilo (Piscator y Venator), ademas de la intervencion de otros personajes secundarios. El dialogo, que tiene como pretexto la pesca, alcanza cotas casi poeticas, en forma de reflexiones sobre el arte y sus encantos.Tal es la altura filosofica de este texto, que hasta el propio Miguel de Unamuno escribio un articulo acerca de las noblezas literarias y morales de la obra de Walton, que reproducimos tambien en esta edicion.