From a MS. in the Harleian Library. Wm. Brome executor to Mr. 1000 copies fmall paper, at 30s, 1500l. .6251. £2125. 7081. 6s. öd, Chapt, & Mr. Brome 1416), 138. 4d. Walter Scott say, in his review of Todds edition of Spencer Mr. Food is a man of leaming and research. I with he would write Essays in the Archaeologix, and renounce editing our ancient ports. the text is absolutely bome down and overwhelmed by dull, dubious, and contradictory, comments, is, no doubt a again in the review of his edition of Milton - Mr Todd laborious noon, but he is miserably out of his vocation as an editor of our poets, dexc All the manuscript notes in this book, & the made before the book came above hand, were The College Library. to THE REV. HENRY J. TODD, M. A. F. S. A. Gower, that first garnished our English rude; And maister Chaucer, that nobly enterprised How that Englishe myght freshely be ennewed. O pensyfe harte, Skelton's Crowne of Laurell. Remember thee of the trace and daunce Of poetes olde, with all thy purueyaunce: As moral Gower, whose sentencious dewe Adowne reflareth, with fayre golden beames: And after, Chaucer's all abroade doth shewe, &c. Hawes's Pastime of Pleasure. LONDON: PRINTED FOR F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON, T. PAYNE, CADELL AND DAVIES, AND R. H. EVANS. TO THE MOST NOBLE GEORGE GRANVILLE LEVESON GOWER, MARQUIS OF STAFFORD, K. G. &c. &c. My Lord, THE dedication of a Work, which consists chiefly of materials interesting to curiosity and subservient to useful criticism, will not, it is hoped, be thought obtrusive. What respects the reformers of our language, and the fathers of our poetry, may be inscribed, I trust, with absolute propriety, to him who is the friend of Literature and the head of the illustrious House of Gower. To these motives of thus addressing your Lordship, must be added the wish of gratitude to acknowledge benefits received. From your Lordship's Manuscripts many of these materials, by your permission, have been copied. While I have this opportunity to own publickly so important an obli |