IZAAK WALTON'S ASSOCIATION WITH THE RIVER LEA. 189
making and angling with the fly for a Trout, that I will give you his
very directions, without much variation which shall follow."
And then he proceeds to quote him. In 1653 a second edition
of Barker's book appeared, and in 1659 a third edition under the
enlarged title "Barker's Delight ; or, the Art of Angling."
Then there was Mr. Nicholas Seagrave whom he knew, that
"ingenious gentleman of Leicestershire," who was so skilful in
training the otter, that "he not only made her tame but to catch
fish, and do many other things of much pleasure."
Finally there were the brothers "Nat. and R. Roe" who used
to accompany Walton on his fishing excursions, and who were
distantly related to him.
They both predeceased him, and in 1661 he thus lamented their
death : "In such days and times as I have laid aside business and
gone a fishing with honest Nat. and R. Rowe, but they are gone,
and with them most of my pleasant hours." (Epistle to the Reader.)
It is probable that "Venator," "Brother Peter," "The Scholar,"
and "Coridon," also had an actual identity in the persons of some
of his piscatory friends, but who they represented it is now impossible
to determine.
There cannot be a doubt that Izaak Walton meant to identify
himself with Piscator in "The Complete Angler," for not only does
that personage express his own feeling and opinions, but he adopts
his personal acquaintances, and alludes to many circumstances in his
own life. His scholar lived near Golden Lane, Clerkenwell, where
dwelt a fishing-tackle maker, at whose shop they used to meet.
In the first edition Piscator says :
" I will go with you either to Charles Brandon's near to
'The Swan,' in Golding Lane, or to Mr. Fletcher's in the court
which did once belong to Dr. Nowel, the Dean of St. Paul's, that I
told you was a good man and a good fisher ; it is hard by the west-
end of St. Paul's Church ; they be both honest men, and will fit an
angler with what tackling he wants."
The scholar replies :
" Then, good master, let it be at Charles Brandon's, for he is
nearest to my dwelling, and I pray let's meet there."
Another fishing-tackle maker mentioned by Walton was Charles
Kerbye, in Harp Alley, Shoe Lane, not far from Walton's own house
in Fleet Street ; and at the end of the second part of "The Complete
Angler,'' we find an announcement that—