ART. VII. TXQAIA Platonica; or, a Platonical Nullam majorem affere solet ignaris inscitia SCAL. Cambridge. Printed by Roger Daniel, Printer to the University. 1642. 12mo. There is a separate title page to each of the four parts; and to each is prefixed a prose address to the reader. The paging also runs only to the end of each part, as if the parts had been printed separate; yet they all bear the same date, viz. 1642. Prefixed to all is a poetical address to the reader in eight-syllable verse, which is not without merit. I would transcribe it here entire, had I room. The poem itself is written in a stanza of nine and ten syllable lines. It is full of hard words, and in the highest strain of mystic Platonism, such as Mr. Taylor himself would read with delight; but, perhaps, neither he nor any one could understand. To the Reader. Reader sith it is the fashion, I greet I greet thee; give free leave to look Such harmony doth more strongly smite. Deep-searching thought often renew'd, &c. &c. W. PRESTON, Additions by the Editor. The second edition of this work bears the following title. Philosophical Poems by Henry More, Master of Arts, and Fellow of Christ's College in Cambridge. Avia Pieridum peragro loca, nullius ante LUCK. Cambridge. Printed by Roger Daniel, Printer to the University, 1647. 8vo. pp. 436. But this includes a second title page, in these words: An Addition of some few smaller Poems. By Henry More, Master of Arts, &c. as before, which commences at p. 299. This second edition is dedicated to his dear father, Alexander More, Esq." in which he says, you have from my childhood turned mine ears to Spencer's rhymes, entertaining us, on winter nights, with with that incomparable piece of his, The Fairy Queen, a poem as richly fraught with divine morality as fancy. Your early encomiums also of learning and philosophy did so fire my credulous youth with the desire of the knowledge of things, that your after-advertisements how contemptible learning would prove without riches, and what a piece of unmannerliness and incivility it would be held to seem wiser, than them that are more wealthy and powerful, could never yet restrain my mind from her first pursuit, nor quicken my attention to the affairs of the world." After this is another title," A Platonick Song of the Soul, treating of the Life of the Soul; her Immortality; the Sleep of the Soul; the Unity of Souls; and Memory after Death." In the Address to the Reader, he says he has in this edition enlarged the poem, and "licked it into some more tolerable form and smoothness;" and has added notes for the better understanding both the poem and the principles of Plato's philosophy." Bound up with the Editor's copy of this work is another of this author, entitled An Antidote against Atheisme, or an Appeal to the Natural Faculties of the Minde of Man, whether there be not a God. By Henry More, (&c. as before.) London, Printed for Roger Daniel, at Lovell's Inn in Paternoster Row. Anno 1653. 8vo. pp. 170. Dr. Hen. More died Sept. 1, 1687, et, 73. See Biogr. Diet. ART. ART. VIII. The Lives of the three Normans, Kings of England: William the First, William the Second, Henrie the First. Written by J. H. Mart. Improbe facit qui in alieno libro ingeniosus est. Imprinted at London by R. B. Anno 1613. 4to. pp. 314. Besides the Epistle Dedicatorie to Charles the First whilst Prince of Wales, pp. 6. The author, Sir John Hayward, Knight, whose historical works, as Wood informs us, "for the phrase and words in them were in their time esteemed very good," in his dedication tells us, that it was in conse quence of a conversation which passed between the Prince Henry and himself, a short time previous to the decease of the former, he undertook to give the world a history of his own country during certain periods.* I cannot refrain from giving a short specimen of the manner in which he draws the character of that distinguished and promising young Prince, "whose death," he says, "alasse! hath bound the liues of many vnto death, face to face; being no wayes able, either by forgetfulnesse to couer their griefe, or to diminish it with consideration." He then proceeds, "For in trueth he was a Prince of a most heroical heart: free from many vices which sometimes accom * In addition to this work Hayward likewise wrote the Lives of Henry the Fourth and of Edward the Sixth, 1599, 1630, 4to. and as he informs us himself, finished "certaine yeeres of Queene Elizabeth's Reigne." Of this however I can find no account, nor am I of opinion that it has ever been printed. panie panie high estates, full of most amiable and admirable vertues of whose perfections the world was not worthy. His eyes were full of pleasant modestie; his countenance manly, beautifull; in bodie both strongly and delicately made; in behauiour sweetely sober, which gaue grace to whatsoeuer he did. He was of a discerning wit; and for the facultie of his mind, of great capacitie and power, accompanied with equall expedition of will: much foreseeing in his actions, and for passions a commander of himselfe ; and of good strength to resist the power of prosperitie. In counsaile he was ripe and measured; in resolution constant; his word euer led by his thought, and followed by his deede. And albeit hee was but yong, and his nature forward and free, yet his wisedom reduced both to a true temper of moderation; his desires being neuer aboue his reason, nor his hopes inferiour to his desires. In a word, hee was the most faire fruit of his progenitours, an excellent ornament of the present age, a true mirrour to posteritie; being so equally both setled to valour, and disposed to goodnesse and justice, as hee expressed not onely tokens, but proofes, both of & courage, and of a grauitie and industrie right worthie. of his estate." The history of the Normans contains a very well written account of the period during which they lived: it abounds in anecdotes, many of which are to be found in no other publication of the kind, and is enriched with a variety of just remarks as well on the actions and characters of those whom it is intended to display, as on the manners of the times during which they flourished. I know of no other edition of it than this of |