preserved entire, will have the additional use of pointing out where they may be found, and in cases of different opinions, of referring to the best authority.

may

That this Catalogue has been a work of considerable labour be inferred from a superficial view of its contents, and that it is not more laborious than correct, will, it is hoped, be discovered on a more close examination. The titles are exact transcripts, the occasional omission of a motto, or shortening an imprint, excepted; but generally, the entire title-page is given without any exception. To this is added the size of the volume, with the number of pages, in stating which it has been thought proper to deviate from the common custom of putting down the quantity of pages, and excluding the prefatory matter, which frequently forms a third part of the book. On the contrary, in this Catalogue, the number of pages given are to be understood as comprising every printed leaf, whether printed on one or both sides. It having been the custom with some printers to begin paging with a blank leaf preceding the title; in such cases the page which appears on

the last leaf is stated as a matter of course. The chief intent of the observations and remarks is to describe the prefatory matter, such as, to whom dedicated, by whom the commendatory verses were written; and also to introduce such occasional biographical and critical extracts as may illustrate the history of the work, or of its author. It only remains to add, that as a strict alphabetical arrangement could not be effected, the consequent inconveniences of reference have been obviated by a Synoptical Index, which serves the double purpose of giving a ready reference, and of shewing, at one view, the singular richness of

the Collection.

May 20, 1815.

A. F.

Griffitto

LLOT (Robert).-Englands Par

nassus:

or the choysest Flowers of our Moderne Poets, with their Poeticall comparisons. Descriptions of Bewties, Personages, Castles, Pallaces, Mountaines, Groues, Seas, Springs, Riuers, &c. Whereunto are annexed other various discourses, both pleasaunt and profitable.—RUSSIA.—Imprinted at London, for N. L. C. B. and T. H. 1600. Octavo, pp. 506.

£20.

The compiler of this curious volume of early poetry is generally believed to have been a Robert Allot, of whose history, however, nothing is now known. Warton states that the method is judicious, the extracts copious, and made with a degree

Indeed, as the work has preserved portions of many scarce poets, whose very names, without such care, might have probably sunk into oblivion, it must ever rank as a book both valuable and curious.

The dedication begins thus, " To the Right Worshipfull, Syr Thomas Mounson, Knight;" and after a complimentary sonnet, adds, "Your Worships humbly at commaund, R. A."

At page 385 occurs the following sonnet, by Charles Fitz

B

Geffrey, to whom Wood seems by mistake to have attributed this collection, adding, "though I have been many years seeking after, yet I cannot get a sight of it."

Of Posteritie.

Daughter of Time, sincere Posteritie,

Alwayes new borne, yet no man knowes thy birth,
The arbitresse of pure Sinceritie,

Yet, changeable, (like Proteus) or the earth,
Sometime in plenty, sometime ioynd with dearth.

Alwayes to come, yet alwayes present heere,
Whom all runne after, none come after neere.
Vnpartiall Iudge of all saue present state,
Truth's Idioma of the things are past,
But still pursuing present things with hate,
And more iniurious at the first then last,
Preseruing others, while thine ownę do want.
True treasurer of all antiquitie,

Whom all desire, yet neuer one could see. 2. ASKE (James).-Elizabetha Triumphans. Conteyning the Damned practizes, that the diuelish Popes of Rome haue used euer sithence her Highnesse first comming to the Croune, by mouing her wicked and traiterous subiects to Rebellion and conspiracies, thereby to bereave her Maiestie both of her lawfull seate, and happy life. With a declaration of the manner how her excellency was entertained by her Souldyers into her Campe Royall at Tilbery in Essex : and of the ouerthrow had against the Spanish Fleete: briefly, truly, and effectually set forth. Declared and handled by I. A. (James Aske).-Black Letter.-At London, printed by Thomas Orwin, 1588.

Quarto, pp. 44.

£15.

This volume has a dedication "To the Right Worshipfull indued with all singularitie Iulius Cæsar, Doctor of the Ciuill Law, chiefe Iudge of her Highnesse honorable Court of the Admiraltie," &c.

3. ADAM BEL, Clym of the Cloughe, and Wyllyam of Cloudesle.-Black Letter.-First four pages in manuscript.—HALF-BOUND, MOROCCO.-No date or printer's name.

Quarto, pp. 18.

£3.

"This very ancient, curious, and popular performance was apparently composed for the purpose of being sung in public, to the harp. As there is no other memorial of these celebrated archers than this legend, to which all the passages cited, from different authors, by Bishop Percy, are evident allusions, any inquiry as to the time or reality of their existence must be little else than the sport of imagination." Ritson's Ancient Popular Poetry. 4. ASHMOLE (Elias).-Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum. Containing severall Poeticall Pieces of our Famous English Philosophers, who have written the Hermetique Mysteries in their owne Ancient Language. Faithfully collected into one Volume, with Annotations thereon by Elias Ashmole, Esq.-London, printed by J. Grismond, 1652. Quarto, pp. 510. £3. 10s.

Amongst the tracts in this singular work, are 1. The Ordinall of Alchimy. Written by Thomas Norton, of Bristoll, (with six curious engravings by Vaughan).-2. The Compound of Alchymie. A most excellent, learned, and worthy worke, written by Sir George Ripley.-3. Pater Sapientæ, (by an anonymous writer.)-4. Hermes's Bird, written originally in Latin, by Raymund Lully, and translated into English verse by Abbot Cremer, of Westminster, with curious engravings.-5. The Tale of the Chanons Yeoman, by Geoffrey Chaucer, with an engraving of his tomb.-6. John Lydgate, Monke of St. Edmundesbury's translation out of Aristotle.-7. John Gower on the Philosopher's Stone.

For a minute account of this volume, and the collector of it, see Dr. Kippis's Biographia Britannica, vol. i. p. 298.

5. ANNESON (James).-Carolanna, that is to say, a Poeme in Honour of our King, Charles-James, Queen Anne, and Prince Charles: But principally in honour of the immortall memory of our late noble and good Queene of Albion and Vnion, herein celebrated vnder the names of Dianna and Cimbrina, by allusion vnto her Princely name and Nation, by Iames Anneson.-Imprinted at London, by Edw. Allde (1614.)

Quarto, pp. 48. .

£5.

6. ARWAKER (Edmund).-Truth in Fiction: or Morality in Masquerade. A Collection of Two hundred twenty five Select Fables of Æsop, and