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ART. XIV. Aluredus, sive Alfredvs Tragico Comadia ter exhibita in Seminario Angle um Duacend ab eiusdem Collegii Juuentute, Anno Domini MDCXIX. Authore Gulielmo Drvreo Nobili Anglo. Duaci, ex officina Ioannis Bogardi 1610. 18mo. pp. 158. With one page of errata.

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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.

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Gothrunnus Res Danus..

Osbernus frater Gothrunni.

Gormo Cognatus Gothrunni.

Rollo Centurio.

Miles gloriosus.

Pimpo seruus Militis gloriosi.

Pipero.

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.

"Jam sum ego trium literarum homo, vel scientiarum
potius.

Scilicit 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, pejerare, 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 96 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,

Mors.

Granbufo, diabolus.

Judex.

Apparatores,

Coqui.

Musici "

ARGUMENTUM.

"Avaro Mortem in famulum adoptat Patri Scombrio, et subornat illum ut interficiat; Spondetque certis sub conditionibus

Huis

Huic se futurum deinde deditirium.
Diabolus interea superveniens

Bona se daturum in manus promittit Patris,

Si sibi in prædam Scombris post mortem cederet.
Acceptat ille. Mox, non invento sene,
Uterque ab illo jus, et æquum postulant,
Sed ejus una et servi illusi dolis
Uterque causa ex judicis dicto cadunt."

To this is added "De venerabili Eucharistia ab Apibus inventa, et mirabiliter servata, de qua scribit Cæsarus, lib. q. cap. 8. Carmen Elegiacum." This contains 176 lines, and concludes the volume,

P. B.

ART. XV. Historical Memoires of the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James. By Francis Osborn, Esq. 1658. 8vo.

Also in his works, of which the seventh edition appeared in 1673, 8vo.

ART. XVI. The Court and character of King James, written and taken by Sir A. W. being an eye and eare witnesse. Qui nescit dissimulare, nescit regnare. Published by authority. London. Printed by R. J. and are to be sold at the King's Head in the Old Baily 1650. Duvd. pp. 197.

Again, 1651, 8vo. " dedicated to Lady Elizabeth Sedley, to which is added 1. The Court of King Charles, continued unto these unhappy times. 2. Observations, instead of a character upon this King from his child

hood.

hood. 3. Certain Observations before Q. Elizabeth's death."

ART. XVII. Aulicus Coquinaria, or a Vindication in answer to Sir Anthony Weldon's Pamphlet, called "The Court and Character of King James," &c. London. 1650. 8vo.

This is attributed to William Sanderson. For a full account of Weldon and Sanderson, and these two volumes, see "Memoirs of King James's Peers,"* p. 106, &c.

Francis Osborn was born in 1558. He was descended from the Osborns of Chicksand in Bedfordshire, now represented by General Sir George Osborn, Bart. On the breaking out of the civil wars he sided with the parliament. He died Feb. 11, 1659, aged about 70.t

ART. XVIII. Bibliographical Catalogue. List of Authors on Gardening, &c. By the Rev. J. S. Clarke.

Art. 1. The Proffitable Arte of Gardening, now the third tyme set fourth: to whiche is added much necessary matter, and a number of Secrettes with the Phisick helpes belonging to eche herbe, and that easie prepared. To this annexed, two propre treatises, the one entituled The marueilous Gouernment, propertie, and benefite of the Bees, with the rare Secrets of the Honny and Waxe. And the other, The Yerely Coniectures, meete for husbandmen to knowe: Englished by Thomas Hill Londiner. Ars naturam adiuuans. Imprinted at Lon

Lond. 1802, 8vo.

† Biogr. Dict. XI. 348.

don,

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