Those helps which I through him enjoy'd, Or in a single-state remain, [And let not me e're wed againe, Such was not only the sanctified prayer but the exemplary practice of the noble Earl; who left this memorial on his tomb, as a test of inviolate fidelity, that he had sorrowfully worn out a widowhood of three and twenty years. Wither inscribes his estimable volume "to the thrice-honourable high courts of parliament, assembled in the triple empire of the British Isles;" and he remarks, what was not indeed peculiar to his own time, "so innumerable are the foolish and prophane songs now delighted in (to the dishonour of our language and religion) that Halelujahs and pious meditations are almost out of use and fashion: yea, not in private only, but at our publike feasts and civil meetings also, scurrilous and obscene songs are impudently sung, without respecting the reverend presence of matrons, virgins, magistrates, or divines." In an address to the reader he further says "I have observed three sorts of Poesie, now in fashion. One, consisteth merely of rhymes, clinches, anagrammatical fancies, or such like verbal or literal conceits as delight schoolboys and pe dantical dantical wits; having nothing in them either to better the understanding, or stirre up good affections. These rattles of the brain are much admired by those, who being men in years, continue children in understanding. Another sort of Poesie, is the delivery of necessary truths and wholesome documents, couched in significant parables; and illustrated by such flowers of rhetoric as are helpfull to work upon the affections. These inventions are most acceptable to those who have ascended the middle region of knowledge. A third Poesie there is, which delivers commodious truths, and things really necessary, in as plain and in as universal termes as it can possibly devise. This is not so plausible among the wittie, as acceptable to the wise; because it regardeth not so much to seem elegant, as to be useful for all persons in all times. To this plaine and profitable Poesie I have humbly aspired, and especially in this book; imitating therein, though coming infinitely behind them, no worse patterns than the holy prophets." What Wither professed to undertake, it is no mean praise to say, that he meritoriously accomplished. T.P. ART. XVIII. The Booke of Honor and Armes, wherein is discoursed the causes of Quarrel, and the nature of Injuries, with their repulses. Also, the means of satisfaction and Pacification, with divers other things, necessarie to be knowne of all Gentlemen and others, professing Armes and Honor, Im printed by Richard Ihones. 1590. 410. This very entertaining and curious work deserves a fuller analysis than it can possibly receive through the medium of the present publication. It appears that Ihones the printer was likewise the author of the book, as it is dedicated by him in a well written address to Sir Christr. Hatton, then Lord Chancellor. The con- . tents of the work are divided into five distinct books, the leading chapters of which relate to, "1st. What a Combat is, and the originall thereof. 2. Of Injurie and Burthen. 3. What sortes of men ought not bee admitted in triall of Armes. 4. Of Nobilitie accompanied with great dignitie. 5. Of what qualitie a Gentleman professing Armes ought to be." The fourth book claims the principal share of our attention, as the subject of each chapter is particularly interesting. At p. 73 we find "The manner of Combats in England, as I found them recorded in the French tongue, and written in an auncient booke, shewed me by Master Garter, her Majesties chiefe Herehault;" containing the various forms usual upon those solemnities, and the necessary preparations that took place previous thereto. At page 86 we have an account of "Certaine Combats graunted by the Kings of England." Then follow "Certaine Combats for Triumph, Honor, and Love of Ladies, brought before the Kings of England," Amongst the "Triumplies hefore King Henrie the Eight," we find the following ntention of that celebrated tournament which took place at a Congress of the English and French Courts between Guisnes and Ardres near Calais." "But 1 "But farre exceeding al these was that magnificent justs and turniments, at the meeting of the two excellent Princes, King Henrie the Eight of England, and K. Frances the French King: who choosing unto them xiiij others, did challenge to runne at the tylt, and fight at the turney and barrier with all commers. The chalengers were, the King of England, the King of France, the Duke of Suffolke, the Marquis Dorcet, Sir William Kingston, Sir Richard Jernegan, Master Nicholas Carew, and Master Anthonie Knevet, with their assistants, Sir Rowland and Sir Giles Capell: with these were so manie other French Gentlemen, as made up the number aforesaid. "For defenders, thether came Monsieur de Vandosme, the Earl of Devonshire, and the Lord Edmond Howard; everie of the bringing in a faire band of knights well armed. "This most noble challenge of these two mightie Kings, accompanied with xiiij other knights, of either nation seven, they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King of Armes, in England, and France, Germanie, Anno 12, Hen. 8." The fifth book relates principally to the orders and degrees of knighthood both English and foreign, with the origins of their creation, and engravings of the collars and other insignia respectively appertaining to J. H. M. each. ART. XIX. Ideas Mirrour Amours in quatorzains. Che suve é tace assai domanda. * At London: The extreme rarity of this publication renders a farther account desirable, and also more copious extracts. It appears wholly unknown to Herbert, and to all the biographers of Drayton. Editor. VOL. V. U Printed Printed by James Roberts for Nicholas Linge, Anno 1594, with an allegorical engraving. 4to. pp. 51. These stanzas unnoticed by Ritson in his Bibl. Poet. and omitted in the folio edition of his works, are one of the numerous productions of Michael Drayton, and dedicated by him, in a poetical address of fourteen lines, "to the deere chyld of the Muses, and his ever kind Mecenas, Ma. Anthony Cooke, Esq." which he concludes in the following manner. "Yet there mine owne, I wrong not other men, I am no pickpurse of another's wit. M. DRAYTON." J.H.M. ART. XX. Andrew Stuart's Letters to Lord Mansfield, 1773. See p. 194. ART. XXI. The Case of Archibald Douglas, Esq. and his Guardians, Appellants against His Grace the Duke of Hamilton, Lord Douglas Hamilton, Sir Hew Dalrymple, and others, Respondents. To be heard at the Bar of the House of Lords on Monday the 16th of January, 1769. A friend having communicated to me a copy of Mr. Douglas's Case, as delivered to the House of Portes, an early French poet, had borrowed freely from the Italian. Editor. Lords, |