A leisurely dialogue on the art and philosophy of angling, laced with songs and country wisdom. Walton's enduring celebration of the contemplative life.
Books mentioned in The Compleat Angler (11)
Sonnets by Michael Drayton: “These, and the rest of principal note, are thus comprehended in one of Mr. Drayton's Sonnets:”
Of Credulity and Incredulity by Meric Casaubon: “as may be found also in the learned Dr. Casaubon's Discourse of Credulity and Incredulity, printed by him about the year 1670.”
Sylva Sylvarum (Natural History) by Francis Bacon: “seems to be affirmed by Sir Francis Bacon, in the eighth century of his Natural History, who there proves that waters may be the medium of sounds”
A Private School of Defence: “Hales, a most valiant and excellent fencer, who in a printed book called A Private School of Defence undertook to teach that art or science, and was laughed at for his labour.”
Naturales Quaestiones (Natural Questions) by Seneca: “You shall read in Seneca, his Natural Questions, that the ancients were so curious in the newness of their fish”
Of Fish and Fish-ponds by Janus Dubravius: “But before I proceed further, I am to tell you, that there is a great antipathy betwixt the Pike and some frogs: and this may appear to the reader of Dubravius, a bishop in Bohemia, who, in his book Of Fish and Fish-ponds, relates what he says he saw with his own eyes, and could not forbear to tell the reader.”
Piscatorie Eclogs by Phineas Fletcher: “they were written by Phineas Fletcher, an excellent divine, and an excellent angler; and the author of excellent Piscatory Eclogues”
A Chronicle of the Kings of England by Richard Baker: “as may seem to be affirmed by Sir Richard Baker, in whose Chronicle you may find these verses:”
The Travels of Mendes Pinto by Fernão Mendes Pinto: “He that reads the Voyages of Ferdinand Mendez Pinto, shall find that there he declares to have found a king and several priests a-fishing.”
Books that mention The Compleat Angler (2)
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff: “A nice copy of "Walton's Compleat Angler" is bought from a private library for her; she praises its woodcuts.”
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving: “I recollect studying his Complete Angler several years since in company with a knot of friends in America,”