Charactericall and Syllabicall,
Of Alexander Top, Gent.

Imprinted at London, by W. White, for George Vincent, dwelling in Great Wood Streete, at the Signe of the Hand in Hand, where they are to be sold.

1603."

This is a very curious Tract on the subject of a universal alphabet. The Author introduces his little volume with these line:

THE AUTHOR TO HIS BOOKE.

Farewell my little booke, and tell thy friends
The deluge of the deepe confusion ebs;
Then shew thy leafe to all, but haile the best,
And safely leave it in their holy hands,
That will upright thy language, cleere thy sense,
As matter but of meere preeminence.
Yet as the starre that onward bringes the sunne,
Thou hast perfection where thy light begunne :
This tell thy friendes, and little booke farewell.

3. "WITS PRIVATE WEALTH.

Stored with choice Commodities to content the Minde.

London. Printed by Ed. Allde, for John Tappe, and are to be sold at his Shop, upon Tower Hill, neere the Bul-warke Gate. 1607."

THIS is a collection of choice maxims, in the manner of Rochefoucault, by Nicholas Briton or Breton, who was a celebrated writer at this period, and whose works are now considered as objects of much curiosity and research, by the collectors of early English Literature.

They are a little coarse in their diction, as for example:

"No preaching in the world will make a Jew a Christian; and a Cutpurse will be at his work when the thiefe is at the gallowes.

He that leves his spurres in his horses belly, may sitte doune and sigh when he is wearie with walking."

4. "THE COURT OF GOOD COUNSELL.

Wherein is set doune the true Rules how a Man should choose a good Wife from a bad, and a Woman a good Husband from a bad.

Wherein is also expressed the great Care that Parents should have for the bestowing of their Children in marriage, and likewise how Children ought to behave themselves towards their Parents, and how Maisters ought to governe their Servants, and hów Servants ought to be obedient towards their Maisters. Set forth as a Patterne for all People to learné Wit by. Published by one that hath dearely bought it by Experience. At London. Printed by Ralph Blower, and are to be solde by William Barley, at his Shop, in Gratious Streete."

The reader will observe, that what is now spelt Grace Church Street, is in the above Tract, as well as in other works of this time, written Gratious Street. This Tract is in black letter.

5. "THE ENGLISH APE, THE ITALIAN IMITATION, THE FOOTE-STEPPES OF FRAUNCE.

Wherein is explained the wilful Blindnesse of subtill Mischiefe, the striving for Starres, the catching of Moonshine, and the secrete Sound of many hollow Hearts.

By W. R.

Nulla Pietas Pravis.

At London. Imprinted by Robert Robinson, and are to be sold by Richard Jones, dwelling at Holbourne Conduit, at the Signe of the Rose and Crowne. 1588."

This singular Tract is in black letter, and inscribed

"To the Right Honorable, and my singular good Lord, Syr Christopher Hatton, Knight, Lord Chauncellor of England, Knyght of the most noble Order of the Garter, and one of her Majesties most honorable Privie Counsell."

This appears to be a severe satire on the manners of the times, particularly as they relate to dress. The Author is very harsh indeed, when speaking of his countrywomen.

"It is a woonder more than ordinary to beholde theyr perewigs of sundry collours, theyr paynting potts of perlesse perfumes, theyr boxes of slobber sause, the fleaking of theyr faces, theyr strayned modesty, and theyr counterfayte coynesse. In so much that they rather seeme curtyzans of Venyce, then matrones of Englande, monsters of Egypt, then modest maydens of Europe, inchaunting syrens of Syrtes, then diligent searchers of vertue; these inchauntments charme away theyr modesty, and entrap fooles in folly. Bewitcheth them selves wyth wanton wyles, and be setteth other with these bitter smyles.

The conclusion is an extravagant compliment to the Queen, whom the Author calls "The Phenix of the World."

6. "THE COMMENDATION OF COCKES AND COCKFIGHTING.

Wherein is shewed that Cockefighting was before the coming of Christ.

London. Printed for Henrie Tomes, and are to be sold at his Shop, over against Graies Inne Gate, in Holburne. 1607."

This is in black letter, and I do not remember to have seen any earlier publication than this on the subject of this barbarous sport.

7. "THE REPENTANCE OF ROBERT GREENE, MAISTER OF ARTES, &c. &c."

I have elsewhere given a detailed account of this curious Pamphlet, which is so rare, that I

doubt not, if produced at an auction for sale, it would fetch several guineas.

8. "A REMEMBRANCE OF THE HONORS DUE TO THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ROBERT EARLE OF SALISBURY, LORD TREASURER OF ENGLAND, &c.

Imprinted at London, for John Wright, and are to be sold at his Shop, neere Christ Church, Dore. 1612."

This tribute to the memory of the Earl of Salisbury is in black letter. The Author's name is Richard Johnson. It is partly in prose and partly in verse, but unfortunately is imperfect.

A portrait of the Earl is prefixed, of the value of which I am not competent to judge.

The Bishop of Rochester purchased all the above Tracts for, I believe, half-a-crown. They would now produce a great many guineas,

DR.