both to the preservation of health, and the improve. ment of strength." After a poem "In praise of Archery," follow three patents granted by the monarchs before mentioned, to encourage the promotion of the same science. The remaining part of the work is occupied with "a Brief Relation of the manner of the Archers marching on several Days of Solemnity,' combining some very interesting and curious particulars. This copy contains the autograph of the celebrated Dr. Farmer, and a memorandum by the same gentle man relative to the high price for which the work had been sold. J. H. M. ART. VIII. Northern Memoirs, calculated for the Meridian of Scotland, wherein most or all of the cities, citadels, sea-ports, castles, forts, fortresses, rivers and rivulets are compendiously described, &c. &c. To which is added, the contemplative and practical Angler. With a narrative of that dexterous and mysterious art, &c. By way of Dialogue. Writ in the year 1658, but not till now made publick. By Richard Franck, Philanthropus, Plures necat Gula quam Gladius. London: Printed for the Author, 1694. 8vo. pp. 304. The author, a Cambridge academician, and dissatisfied cavalier, appears to have travelled as much for the purpose of diverting his spleen and melancholy, as for amusement, being passionately devoted to the pursuit of angling. The greater part of this work is occupied by by a variety of dissertations on this subject, rather than affords any topographical information. I have selected, as a specimen of his style, an extract from his first dedication to a friend, (there being no less than four distinct ones* to this rare and singular book.) After inviting him "to step into Scotland to rummage and rifle her rivers and rivulets, and examine her flourishing streams for entertainment," he observes, "you are to consider, that the whole tract of Scotland is but one single series of admirable delights, notwithstanding the prejudicate reports of some men that represent it otherwise. For if eye-sight be argument convincing enough to confirm a truth, it enervates my pen to describe Scotland's curiosities, which properly ought to fall under a more elegant stile to range them in order for a better discovery. For Scotland is not Europe's umbra, as fictitiously imagined by some extravagant wits: no, it's rather a legible fair draught of the beautiful creation, drest up with polish'd rocks, pleasant savanas, flourishing dales, deep and torpid lakes, with shady fir-woods, immerg'd with rivers and gliding rivulets; where every fountain o'erflows a valley, and every ford superabounds with fish. Where also the swelling mountains are covered with sheep, and the marish grounds strewed with cattle; whilst every field is filled with corn, and every swamp swarms with fowl. This, in my opinion, proclaims a plenty, and *They are respectively entitled as follows: 1. honored friend Mr. J. W. Merchant in London." 3. "To my worthy ard 2. "To the Virtuoso's of the Rod in Great Britain's Metropolis, the famous City of London.” "To the Academics in Cambridge, the place of my nativity." 4. "To the Gentlemen Piscatorians inhabiting in or near the sweet situation of Nottingham, North of Trent.” presents presents Scotland, a kingdom of prodigies and products too, to allure foreigners and entertain travellers." J. H. M. J. H. M. would be extremely gratified if some one of the numerous contributors to the CENSURA LITERARIA would give an account of that very rare work entituled "Byshope's Blossoms." The reason of this request originates from observing, in the catalogue of a most respectable provincial bookseller, the following note subjoined to the same book. "At page fifty-one of this very curious work is to be found the remarkable story upon which the late Horace Walpole's play of the Mysterious Mother is founded." ART. IX. The Works of that most excellent Philosopher and Astronomer Sir George Wharton, Bart. Collected into one entire volume. By John Gadbury,* Student in Physic and Astrology. London: Printed by H. H. for John Leigh at Stationer's Hall, 1683, 8vo. pp. 670, besides Preface and Contents. Adorned with his portrait, an indifferent print. The preface contains an account of the author, and an eulogium on his works, and his talents and acquire * John Gadbury was born at Wheatley, in Oxfordshire, Dec. 31, 1627, the son of Wm. Gadbury, farmer, by the stolen daughter of Sir John Cur zon of Waterperry: was bound apprentice to a taylor at Oxford, whom he quitted in 1644; went in London; became pupil to Wm. Lilly, then called the English Merlin, and improving his knowledge under his instructi n, became eminent for Almanack-making, a d fortune-telling. Wood's Atb. II. 636. ments. ments. "As to his learning," says his Editor, "he was both an excellent scholar, and singular artist, understanding both languages and sciences, as sufficiently appears by this miscellaneous treatise here published, which is of excellent service to all men that are inclined to a courtsnip of the Muses. So that we may most justly say of this collection, as it is reported a learned critic said of Virgil's works; viz. " that if all the books in the world were burnt, and that only remaining, some vestigia of all kind of learning might be found therein." This he instances in divinity, physic, astronomy, politics, natural philosophy, history and chronology, astrology, meteorology, chiromancy, and poetry. In truth this volume discovers a smattering of all these, probably with small pretensions to merit in any, except by some temporary application, long since become uninteresting. His poems are scraps of rhymes, originally introduced principally into his Almanacs; of which the following is a specimen. In his Hemeroscopion, &e. or Almanacks* for 1653, are these verses in the Month of May; "Whither an army now? Well: I could say, 'Tis TREASON now to pray, Thy kingdom come!” Sir George was of an ancient Westmoreland family, and born at Kerby-Kendal in that county in April 1617. In 1633 he went to Oxford, where he dis These he published from 1640 to 1666. covered covered more turn for mathematics than for logic; and thence retiring to his patrimony pursued his natural bent, and published Almanacks under the name of George Naworth. At the breaking out of the rebellion, he turned his property into money, and raised a troop of horse for the King, with whom he hazarded his person very gallantly, and was at last routed and taken prisoner at Stow in Gloucestershire, in 1645. From this period he lived privately, suffered much, and supported himself principally by literature, till the Restoration, when he was made Treasurer and Paymaster to the Ordnance; and afterwards purchasing an estate, was on Dec. 1, 1677, created a Baronet. He died at his house at Enfield, in Middlesex, on August 12, 1681, and was succeeded in his title by his son Sir Polycarpus Wharton. Wood says, he was es teemed the best astrologer, that wrote the Ephemeri des of his time, and went beyond William Lilly, and John Booker, the idols of the vulgar; was a constant and thorough-paced loyalist, a good companion, a witty, droll, and waggish poet."* ART. X. Poems, Elegies, Paradoxes, and Sonets. London: Printed by Henry Herringman, and are to be sold at the Anchor in the Lower Walks in the New Exchange. 1664. I believe this is nothing more than a new title-page to the original edition of Bishop King's poems, registered in Vol. V. p. 49. It is here mentioned for the sake of the elegies at the end. These elegies are con * Wood's Ath. II. 684. Wood's ideas of poetry often make one smile. |