DR. JOHNSON AND ANGLING.
. [To TIE EDITO% OP TIE "SPECTATOR.") SIR,—Dr. Johnson has been quoted times out of number a* the author of the silly definition of angling referred- to by Mr.'Peter D. Thomas in the Spectator of June 21st, but Dr. Johnson.not only never- said anything of the kink but was very civil in his references to angling, and tr greats admirer of Walton; in fact, he at one time contemplated writing his Life. I have seen a copy of Moses Browne's edition of ssThe Compleat Angler" (which was undertaken at Johnson's suggestion), evidently a presentation copy. from the Doctor to a Colonel Astle, with an autograph testimonial from Johnson as to its being "a mighty pretty book." Your reviewer (June 28th) in noticing Mr. Dewar's very. attractive "Win- chester" Walton recently published says that he does not know why I called my edition, published in 1888, "the hundredth edition." I took the list of editions given by Mr. Westwood. in his "Chronicle of the Compleat Angler," and allowing for one or two doubtful issues, found mine might fairly be called the hundredth.—I am, Sir, &es " 150 Deinnarl: Hill, S.E. R. B. MARSTON.
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