[The original is preserved in Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and was printed for the first time in Sir Harris Nicolas' Life of Walton (Pickering, 1837), lxxix, lxxx.] M'R. MARRIOTT, I have received Bentevolio, and in it M'r. Her's. life; I thank you for both. I have since I saw you received from M'r. Milington so much of M'r. Hales his life as M'r. Faringdon had writ; and have made many inquiries concerning him of many that knew him, namely of M'rs. Powny, of Windsor, (at whose house he died), and as I have heard, so have set them down, that my memory might not lose them. M'r. Mountague did at my being in Windsor promise me to summon his memory, and set down what he knew of him. This I desired him to do at his best leisure, and write it down, and he that knew him and all his affairs best of any man is like to do it very well, because I think he will do it affectionately, so that if M'r. Fulman make his queries concerning that part of his life spent in Oxford, he will have many, and good, I mean true informations from M'r. Faringdon, till he came thither, and by me and my means since he came to Eton. This I write that you may inform M'r. Fulman of it, and I pray let him know I will not yet give over my queries; and let him know that I hope to meet him and the Parliament in health and in London in October, and then and there deliver up my collections to him. In the mean time I wish him and you health; and pray let him know it either by your writing to him, or sending him this of mine. God keep us all in his favour, his and your friend to serve you, IZAAK WALTON. Winchester, 24th August, 1673. * * * * * PREFACE TO THEALMA AND CLEARCHUS. 1678. [Thealma and Clearchus, a Pastoral History, in smooth and easie Verse. Written long since, By John Chalkhill, Esq.; an Acquaintant and Friend of Edmund Spencer. London: Printed for Benj. Tooke, at the Ship in S. Paul's Church-yard, 1683.] _The Preface._ The Reader will find in this Book, what the Title declares, A Pastoral History, in smooth and easie Verse; and will in it find many Hopes and Fears finely painted, and feelingly express'd. And he will find the first so often disappointed, when fullest of desire and expectation; and the later, so often, so strangely, and so unexpectedly reliev'd, by an unforeseen Providence, as may beget in him wonder and amazement. And the Reader will here also meet with Passions heightned by easie and fit descriptions of Joy and Sorrow; and find also such various events and rewards of innocent Truth and undissembled Honesty, as is like to leave in him (if he be a good natur'd Reader) more sympathizing and virtuous Impressions, than ten times so much time spent in impertinent, critical, and needless Disputes about Religion: and I heartily wish it may do so.