the strangest and most dissident theological speculations, an age of
Quakers, Anabaptists, Antinomians, Fifth Monarchy Men, Covenanters,
Independents, Gibbites, Presbyterians, and what not, Walton was true to
the authority of the Church of England, with no prejudice against the
ancient Catholic faith. As Gesner was his authority for pickerel weed
begetting pike, so the Anglican bishops were security for Walton's creed.

To him, if we may say so, it was easy to be saved, while Bunyan, a
greater humorist, could be saved only in following a path that skirted
madness, and 'as by fire.' To Bunyan, Walton would have seemed a figure
like his own Ignorance; a pilgrim who never stuck in the Slough of
Despond, nor met Apollyon in the Valley of the Shadow, nor was captive in
Doubting Castle, nor stoned in Vanity Fair. And of Bunyan, Walton would
have said that he was among those Nonconformists who 'might be sincere,
well-meaning men, whose indiscreet zeal might be so like charity, as
thereby to cover a multitude of errors.' To Walton there seemed
spiritual solace in remembering 'that we have comforted and been helpful
to a dejected or distressed family.' Bunyan would have regarded this
belief as a heresy, and (theoretically) charitable deeds 'as filthy
rags.' Differently constituted, these excellent men accepted religion in
different ways. Christian bows beneath a burden of sin; Piscator beneath
a basket of trout. Let us be grateful for the diversities of human
nature, and the dissimilar paths which lead Piscator and Christian alike
to the City not built with hands. Both were seekers for a City which to
have sought through life, in patience, honesty, loyalty, and love, is to
have found it. Of Walton's book we may say:--

'Laudis amore tumes? Sunt certa piacula quae te
Ter pure lecto poterunt recreare libello.'