336. Harding (John).—Another copy.—Londini.

In officina Richardi Grqftoni. Mense lanuarii, 1.543.

Quarto, pp. 784. . . . .£10. lOi.

The present copy is worm-eaten and ends with the reign of Henry VII. the last leaf of which is supplied by a re-print— Grafton's rebus is genuine; but is not that which belongs to this work.

S3". Another copy, without

the prose continuation.—Londini. In officina Richardi Graftoni. Mense lanuarii, 1543.

Quarto, pp. 492 £5. 5s.

There are such variations in all the preceding copies of Harding's Chronicle, notwithstanding the semblance of being alike, as would seem to favour an opinion th&t they are different editions:—On a minute comparison of many parts with each other, the change of initial letters, and frequent alteration of orthography, is evident in almost every page.

Warton says of Harding:—" He appears to have been indefatigable in examining original records, chiefly with a design of ascertaining the fealty due from the Scottish kings to the crown of England: and he carried many instruments from Scotland, for the elucidation of this important enquiry, at the hazard of his life, which he delivered at different times to the fifth and suth Henry, and to Edward the fourth." Ritson however charges him with forging these documents, and obtaining great rewards for them.

This poet was brought up in the family of the Percys, and at the age of twenty-five fought under the banners of the celebrated Hotspur at the battle of Shrewsbury:—the portion of his Chronicle relating to that family is considered as the most valuable

338. Hayman (Robert).—Quodlibets, lately come over from New Britaniola, Old Newfovndland. Epigrams and other small parcels, both Morall and Diuine. The first foure Bookes being the Authors owne: the rest translated out of that Excellent Epigrammatist, Mr. lohn Owen, and other rare Authors: With two Epistles of that excellently wittie Doctor, Francis Rablais: Translated out of his French at large. All of them composed and done at Harbor-Grace in Britaniola, anciently called Newfound-Land. By R. H. (Robert Hayman.) Sometimes Gouernour of the Plantation there.—London, printed by Elizabeth All-de,for Roger Michell, dwelling in Pauls Church-yard, at the signe of the Bulls-head, 1628.

Quarto, pp. 72. ,/i ' . . ,£12. 12*.

Dedicated "To the Kings most Excellent Maiestie, Charles, by Gods especiall mercy, King of Great-Britaine, France and Ireland, &c. Emperour of South, and North Virginia, King of Britaniola, or Newfound-land, and the lies adjacent, Father, Fauourer, and Furtherer of all his loyall Subjects right Honourable and worthie Plantations;" this bombastic dedication is succeeded by a short poetical address to the same monarch, and commendatory verses on the author and his book by William Vaughan, Richard Spicer, George Wither, John Vicars, with the author's verses upon the anagram of his own name, "Harme I bare not," over a wood cut of an animal of the Lizard kind, or "West Indian (iuane."

If some should meete this Beast vpon the way,
Would not their hearts-blood thrill for great affray?
Yet the West-Indian that best knowes his nature,
Says, there is not any more harmelesse Creature.

So though my lines haue much deformity,

Their end mine Anagram shall verifie.

The present copy has much the appearance of being printed upon large paper.

339. Holme (Wilfride).—The fall and euill successe of Rebellion from time to time wherein is contained matter, moste meete for all estates to vewe. Written in old Englishe verse, by Wilfride Holme.—IMacU better.—Imprinted at London, by Henry Binneman dwelling in Knightriders streate, at the signe of the Mermaide, (1573).

Quarto, pp. 68 £25.

This poem is- preceded by a metrical address to the Reader, subscribed R. S.—The poem itself is a dialogue between England

U

and the author on the commotions raised in the northern parts of the island, on account of the Reformation in 1537» under the administration of Lord Cromwell.—It is a curious production, and although disliked by Warton for its adherence to alliteration, is quoted by Holinshed, and mentioned in terms of praise by the learned Bale.

340. Herrick (Robert).—Hesperides: or the Works both Humane and Divine of Robert Herrick Esq. —London, printed for John Williams, and Francis Egksfield, 1648.

<9 Octavo, pp. 4^6 ,£8. 8s.

The dedication is a metrical epistle " To the most Illustriovs, and most Hopefull Prince, Charles Prince of Wales," a list of errata follows, and the poems commence with

The Argument of his Book.

I sing of Brooks, of Blossomes, Birds, and Bowers:

Of April, May, of June, and July-Flowers.

I sing of May-poles, Hock-carts, Wassails, Wakes,

Of Bride-grooms, Brides, and of their Eridall-cnkes.

I write of Youth, of Love, and have Accesse

By these to sing of cleanly- Wantonnesse.

I sing of Denies, of Raines, and piece by piece

Of Balme, of Oyle, of Spice, and Amber-Greece. }

I sing of Times trans-shifting; and I write

How noses first came Red, and Lillies White.

I write of Groves, of Twilights, and I sing

The Court of Mab, and of the Fairie-King.

I write of Hell; I sing (and ever shall)

Of Heaven, and hope to have it after all.

After page 398, the pages recommence with a distinct title: ?f "His Noble Numbers: or his Pious Pieces, wherein (amongst

other things) he sings the Birth of his Christ: and sighes for his Saviours suffering on the Crosse. London, printed for John Williams, and Francis Eglesfield," 1647.—The present copy, has the original frontispiece, engraved by Marshall, with the bust of Herrick on a pedestal, and Pegasus springing from Mount Parnassus in the back ground.

341. Another copy, with a

frontispiece engraved from the original print.—

London, printed for John Williams, and Francis
Eglesfield, 1648.

Octavo, pp. 4<J6 .£5. 5s.

342. Hammond (William).—Poems. By W. H.— cineri gloria sera venit.—London, printed for Thomas Dring at the George in Fleetstreet, near Clifford*slnne Gate, 1655.

Octavo, pp. 86 £4. 4s.

It has been satisfactorily ascertained that these poems were composed by William Hammond, of St. Albans Court, in East Kent; —he was the collateral ancestor of James Hammond the elegiac poet, and brother to the great great grandfather of the present William Hammond, Esq. who still resides at the paternal mansion above mentioned.—The present volume was undoubtedly unknown to Phillips, who, in his " Theatrum Poetarum," styles Hammond "one of the forgotten Poem writers of the last age."

In a short time will appear a new edition of these Poems, illustrated by a Preface, Biographical and Critical;—the number printed will be sixty-one, and out of so limited a quantity, it is supposed no more than forty can be offered for sale.

343. Harvey (Gabriel).—Fovre Letters, and certaine Sonnets: especially touching RobertGreene, and other parties, by him abused: but incidently of diuers excellent persons, and some matters of note. To all courteous mindes, that will voutchsafe the reading. (By Gabriel Harvey).—London, Imprinted by lohn Wolfe, 1592.

Quarto, pp. 78 £25.

The origin of Gabriel Harvey's implacable attack upon Robert Greene in this volume, was a passage in the latter's " Quippe for an upstart Courtier," which was considered by Harvey to be a contemptuous allusion to his father, who was a rope-maker at Saffron VValden.—At the back of the title are given "The particular contents," viz. "A Preface to Courteous mindes;"—" A Letter to -M. Emmanuell Demetrius: with a Sonnet annexed :"— "A Letter to M. Christopher Bird:"—" A Letter to euery favourable, or indifferent Header;"—" Another Letter, to the same; extorted after the rest;"—" Greene's Memorial!: or certaine Funerall Sonnets;"—"Two Latine Epitaphes: the one of M. Greene: the other of M. lohn Haruey;"—"A Sonnet of M. Spencer to M. Doctor Haruey."

The Advertisement to "Archaica," Part IV. contains much interesting information concerning this curious volume.

344. Harvey (Gabriel).—Three proper, and wittie, familiar Letters: lately passed betweene two Vniuersitie men: touching the Earthquake in Aprill last, and our English refourmed Versifying. With the Preface of a wellwiller to them both.—J$l<Kk 3UttCV.—Imprinted at London, by H. Bynneman, dwelling in Thames streate, neere vnto Baynardes Castell, 1580.

Quarto, pp. 70 <£30.

The " two Vniversitie men" were Edmund Spenser and Gabriel Harvey. In Edwin's folio edition of Spenser's Works, 1679 (which was followed by Hughes in his republication), these Letters are abridged, falsified, and mangled, to an extent that could scarcely be conceived by any one who had not compared them with this original edition of 1580, though Mr. Neve, in his •* Cureory Remarks on Spenser," says that " the partial and deficient publication of these Letters is well known."

This uncommonly rare book commences with a prose address "To the Cvrteovs Buyer, by a Welwiller of the two authours," and is followed by the first letter, being one from Spenser to Harvey; one from Harvey succeeds, entitled "A Pleasant and pithy familiar discourse of the Earthquake in April last," and a discourse, entitled " Master Hs. short, but sharpe, and learned Iudgement of Earthquakes."—The next portion is entitled '* A Gallant familiar Letter, containing an answere to that of M. Immerito, with sundry proper examples, and some Precepts of our Englishe reformed Versifying ;" this Letter is addressed to Spenser, and contains several pieces of Poetry. On the fifty-first page occurs another title ;—" Two other very commendable Letters, of the same mens writing: both touching the foresaid Artificial! Versifying, and certain other Particulars: More lately deliuered vnto the Printer."—(Imprint as before):—The first is a Letter from Spenser to Harvey, including a Latin poem in his praise j the second is from Harvey to Spenser, which is followed by Latin Verses by Norton and Gouldingham, with translations by Wythipol and Harvey.

The present copy has some valuable illustrative matter in manuscript, and a facsimile drawing of Harvey, copied from the cut in Nash's " Haue with you to Saffron Walden,"