the larger Orthographiall Treatises (which are now also vnder hand) doe more fully and amply intreate, and handle all the linearie and fortarie workes and arts, whereof this briefe declaration hath onely giuen a small glimpse, or taste. "Examples for paper-bookes in folio are annexed to the Orthographiall declaration in folio." J. H. M. ART. DCCCL. Manvale Catholicorum: Sive, Enchiridion piarum precum & Meditationum. Ex vetustissimis Manuscrip. pergamenus descripta. Per Guliel. Crash. Londini, Ex officina. Georgij Purslow; sumptibus Leonardi Becket. 1616. A Mancall for true Catholicks, or a handfell or rather a heartfull of holy Meditations and Prayers. Gathered out of certaine ancient Manuscripts, written 300 yeares agoe, or more. By William Crashaw. London. Printed by G. P. for Leonard Becket, and are to be solde at his shope in the Temple neere the Church. 1616. pp. 115. The printer's letter continued from "the Complaint," &c. THE first division contains orthodoxical confessions and meditations in verse, afterwards "followeth the meanes and manner how our forefathers in the time of popery prepared themselues and others to dye, consisting first of the confession of their faith, and secondly of the prayers which were made by them and for them in their last sicknesse.-Truly and verbatim Englished out of the Latine, being an ancient copie." At the conclusion are two copies of verses in praise of the authour, signed W. Lort, and B. L. J. H. ART. DCCCLI. Histoire de Lovys XI. Roy de France et des choses memorables aduenues de son regne, depuis l'an 1460 jusques à 1483. Autrement dicte la Chronique Scandaleuse. Escrite par un Greffier de l'Hostel de Ville de Paris. Imprimee sur le vray original, M.DC.XX. Small 4to. 338 pages. THESE Scarce and singular annals of the reign of Louis XI. the worst as well as the wisest of all the Kings of France, were written by Jean de Troyes, Secretary of the Hotel de Ville (i. e. Town-clerk) of Paris, and first printed in black-letter towards the end of the fifteenth century. They are also added to some editions of the Memoirs of Philip de Comines. Brantome speaks of it as a sharp and severe history; in which, says his last editor, he only follows the vulgar prejudice. It is not indeed easy to say why it is termed a Scandalous Chronicle, for it is merely a harsh and dry narrative of facts chronologically arranged, neither interspersed with reflections, nor enlivened by anecdotes. It contains, however, many curious circumstances related with great simplicity, and every internal mark of truth. As a specimen I subjoin part of the description of the king's triumphal entry into Paris after his coronation in August 1461. "Et un peu avant dedens ladicte ville estoient a la fontaine du Ponceau hommes et femmes sauvaiges, qui se combatoient & faisoient plusieurs countenances: et si y avoit encore trois belle filles faisans personnaiges de Seraines (Sirens) toutes nues, et leur veoit on le beau tetin droit separé, round & dur, qui etoiet chose bien plaisant, & disoient de petits motets & bergerettes." P. M. ART. DCCCLII. Aluredus, sive Alfredus Tragico errata. It appears from the dedication that the author (of whom I am unable to procure the slightest intelligence, and concerning whom I shall feel obliged to any intelligent correspondent who can inform me) was in 1618 with other catholicks in some place of confinement, from which, through the mediation of his patron, the count de Gondemar, he was liberated, and in gratitude to whom he writes this drama. "DRAMATIS PERSONE. "S. Cuthbertus. Aluredus Rex Angliæ, Edeluitha Regina. Osburga mater Regis. Eduardus filius maior Aluredi. Adeluoldus filius minor Aluredi. Elfreda filia maior Aluredi. Elgina filia minor Aluredi. Humfredus Magister Equitum. Gothrunnus Res Danus. Miles gloriosus. Pimpo seruus Militis gloriosi. Titmus. } Pueri Regii. Nuntii quatuor. Milites." The plot is, as may be supposed, taken from our English history. Alfred, compelled by adverse fortune, seeks refuge in an obscure island, and is entertained at the hut of a cottager. Here, after many events, he is found by his faithful generals, and after making an excursion to the camp of the enemy, in order to gain intelligence of their motions, he regains his kingdom, and his adversary being converted to Christianity becomes his ally. The comic part consists in the cowardice of the Miles gloriosus, who, like another Bobadil is ever bravest when danger is at the greatest distance; with the quarrels of the rustic Strumbo, with his mother, and their ridiculous behaviour on being introduced at the palace. The soliloquy of Strumbo on the manners of the courtiers I shall transcribe. 96 "Jam sum ego trium literarum homo, vel scientiarum potius. Scilicet aulicus, miles, rusticus: sed præter rusticum Nihil adhuc didici. Arma hæc me dicunt militem : Sed nescio pugnare, nec scire quidem cupio. Hæ vestes me aulicum affirmant, sed nondum perfecte didici et Aulice mentiri, adulari, fæminas alloqui, Dormire in medium diem, jurare, perjerare, ludere, Amare, nugari, gesticulari, multum olere, simiam agere, Superbire, nauseare, pauperibus nihil dare, Et mille alia facere, quæ vix possum complecti memoria. Unum hoc solum meopte ingenio scio, et hoc, Scilicet in multam noctem, atque etiam profundius bibere. Iturus ego jam cum matre sum, ad Regis invisendam matrem et filiam. Sed mallem ego quidem rusticari, quam tantas struere ineptias, Quantas Aulici solent." I should have said that "Alfredus" takes up only pages; it is followed by "Mors Comoedia." The Dramatis Persona of which are, "Chrysocangrio, senex. Scombrio, adolescens. Crancus, servus. Grampogna, venefeca. Gringo, filius veneficæ. Frangicostonides, miles. |