Gentleman. Imprinted at London, by John Jackson, 1593."

The next in order is "ENGLAND'S HELICON." This was in quarto, and appeared in 1600. A second edition was published in 1614.

In 1600 appeared " "BELVIDERE, or the Garden of the Muses." There was a second edition in 1610, entitled "The Garden of the Muses," without the previous title of BELVIDERE, but they are one and the same Collection, and made by John Bodenham. This is a curious, but at the same time, very whimsical Miscellany, as the author in another edition made it a rule, to give place to no more than a quotation of a single line, or a couplet of ten syllables.

An imperfect copy of this book produced, at the sale of Mr. Allen's Library, 11. 11s. 6d. The reader, who wishes for more information concerning it, may consult Herbert's edition of Ames, vol. 111. p. 1382, and the "Return from Parnassus," Reed's edition, p. 211.

In 1600 also was published "ENGLAND'S PARNASSUS, or the choycest Flowers of our modern Poets, with their Poetical Comparisons, by R. A."

R. A. means Robert Allot, concerning whom the reader may consult Warton's History of English Poetry, vol. 111. p. 280.

In 1601 appeared CHESTER'S "ROSALINE'S COMPLAINT." There was a copy of this in Major Pierson's Sale-catalogue, from which I transcribe the title:

B 3

"Loves Martyr, or Rosaline's Complaint, à Poeme, enterlaced with much varietie, with the legend of King Arthur, by Robert Chester, 1601.

Hereafter follow diverse Poetical Essaies, done by the best and chiefest of our moderne writers, and consecrated by them all, general to Sir John Salisburie. Imprinted for E, B, 1601.”

It must, from the above description, be a compilation of singular curiosity, but I have not been able to trace the purchaser, and no other copy is known.

It sold for two pounds fourteen shillings.

In 1602 was published DAVISON'S "PoETICAL RAPSODY, containing divers Sonnets, Odes, Elegies, Madrigals, and other Poësies, both in rime and measured verse." This valuable Miscellany passed through three successive and augmented editions in 1608, 1611, and 1621.

The next publication of the kind, is "The ENGLISH TREASURY of Wit and Language, by John Cotgrave, 1655." This was taken from the Dramatic Writers, and is digested into common places. Of this book Mr. Douce possesses the copy which belonged to Oldys; who was at the pains to trace each quotation to its original author, and has inscribed the writer's name beneath each passage.

I do not know what the value of this book may now be, but, in 1801, a copy in White's catalogue was marked at three guineas and a half. The next publication of the kind in our se

ries

ries is, "THE ENGLISH PARNASSUS, or an Help to English Poetry," by Joshua Poole.

This appeared in 1657. A second edition was published in 1677.

In 1703 we have "THE ART OF ENGLISH POETRY," in 2 vols. 8vo. by Edward Byshe. This has passed through a great variety of editions. The seventh edition, much corrected and enlarged, was published in 1725, and entitled The British Parnassus.

In 1718 we have "THE COMPLETE ART OF POETRY," by Gildon, in 2 vols. 8vo.

In 1738 Thomas Hayward published "THE BRITISH MUSE," of which there was a second edition in 1740, with the title mentioned above.

The last collection, of which it comes within my plan to make mention is, "THE MUSES LIBRARY, or a Series of English Poetry, from the Saxons to the reign of King Charles II." by E. Cooper, 1737.

This elegant volume was, for a long time, held in so little esteem, that several titles were required to sell off the impression; and it might be purchased from stalls for a shilling or eighteen pence. It is now become scarce. It pro÷ bably suggested his plan to Mr. Headley and to other subsequent collectors.

I had written a considerable part of the above, before I knew that I had, in some degree, been anticipated by the editor of the last edition of

Phillips's Theatrum Poetarum. But on a careful examination of that work, which is entitled to much commendation, I perceive that my own Essay contains a great number of particulars not to be found in that work; so that, altogether, I flatter myself, I may not have rendered an unacceptable service to the lovers of English Poetry, by printing what I have written.

FRIAR RUSH.

FOR this and other very curious articles I am indebted to the great kindness of Marquis Stafford, whose library contains great treasures in old English literature, perhaps greater than any other collection in this country; and whose obliging condescension in giving access to, and facilitating the researches of the curious, are among the smallest of those qualities, which have obtained him the universal esteem. By his Lordship's kind indulgence I am permitted to give the subjoined accounts and extracts:

THE HISTORIE OF FRIER RUSH, how he came to a house of religion to seeke service, and being entertained by the Priour, was first made under Cooke, being full of pleasant mirth and delight for young people,

Imprinted

Imprinted at London by Edw. All-de, and are to be solde by Francis Grove, dwelling on Snow Hill. 1626.

The late Mr. Ritson, who, unfortunately for himself, his tranquillity, and his reputation, doubted of every thing, for a long period of time absolutely persisted in his assertion, that this book did not exist. That they, who asserted there was such a book, were conspirators in fraud, forgery, and falshood. Whether he was finally satisfied of the contrary, and retracted his infidelity, I do not know, nor is it of con

sequence.

It is in black letter, ornamented with wooden cuts, and consists of fourteen chapters, of which, as the book is so exceedingly rare, I give the heads.

1. A Pleasant History, how a Devill, named Rush, came to a Religious House to seeke a Service.

2. How a Devill, named Rush, came unto a Gentlewoman's House, and how he brought her privily unto his Master's Chamber.

3. How Frier Rush threw the Maister Cooke into a Kettle of Water, seething upon the Fire, wherein he died.

4. How Frier Rush made Truncheons for the Friars to fight withal.

5. How Frier Rush grymed the Waggon with Tarre, and what Cheere he made in the Country. 6. How