ries is, "THE ENGLISH PARNASSUs, or an Help to English Poetry," by Joshua Poole.

This appeared in 1657. A second edition was published in 1677.

In 1703 we have "THE ART OF ENGLISH POETRY," in 2 vols. 8vo. by Edward Byshe. This has passed through a great variety of editions. The seventh edition, much corrected, and enlarged, was published in 1725, and entitled The British Parnassus.

In 1718 we have "THE COMPLETE ART OF POETRY," by Gildon, in 2 vols. 8vo.

In 1738 Thomas Hayward published "THE BRITISH MUSE," of which there was a second edition in 1740, with the title mentioned above.

The last collection, of which it comes within my plan to make mention is, "THE MUSES LIBRARY, or a Series of English Poetry, from the Saxons to the reign of King Charles II." by E. Cooper, 1737.

This elegant volume was, for a long time, held in so little esteem, that several titles were required to sell off the impression; and it might be purchased from stalls for a shilling or eighteen pence. It is now become scarce. It probably suggested his plan to Mr. Headley and to other subsequent collectors.

I had written a considerable part of the above, before I knew that I had, in some degree, been anticipated by the editor of the last edition of

Phillips's Theatrum Poetarum. But on a careful examination of that work, which is entitled to much commendation, I perceive that my own Essay contains a great number of particulars not to be found in that work; so that, altogether, I flatter myself, I may not have rendered an unacceptable service to the lovers of English Poetry, by printing what I have written.

FRIAR RUSH.

FOR this and other very curious articles I am indebted to the great kindness of Marquis Stafford, whose library contains great treasures in old English literature, perhaps greater than any other collection in this country; and whosę obliging condescension in giving access to, and facilitating the researches of the curious, are among the smallest of those qualities, which have obtained him the universal esteem. By his Lordship's kind indulgence I am permitted to give the subjoined accounts and extracts;

THE HISTORIE OF FRIER RUSH, how he came to a house of religion to seeke service, and being entertained by the Priour, was first made under Cooke, being full of pleasant mirth and delight for young people.

Imprinted

Imprinted at London by Edw. All-de, and are to be solde by Francis Grove, dwelling on Snow Hill. 1626.

The late Mr. Ritson, who, unfortunately for himself, his tranquillity, and his reputation, doubted of every thing, for a long period of time absolutely persisted in his assertion, that this book did not exist. That they, who asserted there was such a book, were conspirators in fraud, forgery, and falshood. Whether he was finally satisfied of the contrary, and retracted his infidelity, I do not know, nor is it of consequence.

It is in black letter, ornamented with wooden cuts, and consists of fourteen chapters, of which, as the book is so exceedingly rare, I give the heads.

1. A Pleasant History, how a Devill, named Rush, came to a Religious House to seeke a Service.

2. How a Devill, named Rush, came unto a Gentlewoman's House, and how he brought her privily unto his Master's Chamber.

3. How Frier Rush threw the Maister Cooke into a Kettle of Water, seething upon the Fire, wherein he died.

4. How Frier Rush made Truncheons for the Friars to fight withal.

5. How Frier Rush grymed the Waggon with Tarre, and what Cheere he made in the Country. 6. How

6. How the Priour made Frier Rush Sexton among the Friers, and how he charged him to give him knowledge how many Friers were absent from Mattins at Midnight, and what they were.

7. How Rush went forth a sporting, and was late forth, and how in his way coming home he found a cowe, and which cowe he divided into two parts, the one halfe hee tooke on his necke and carried it with him, and the other halfe he deft still, and how he soone had it made ready for the Friars' suppers.

8. How a Farmer of the Prioury sought his cowe, and how he was desolated by the way homeward, and was faine to lye in a hollow tree, and of the vision that he had.

9. How the Farmer, which lay in the tree, came unto the Priour in the morrowe after, and tolde him the wonders that he had heard, and the wordes of Frier Rush, and that he was a very devill.

10. The lamentation that Rush made when he was departed out of the House of Religion.

11. How Rush came to husbandman labouring in the field, and desired to be entertayned in his service.

12. How Rush came home to make cleane the stable, and how he found the Priest under the manger, covered with straw.

13. How Rush came home and found the Priest in the cheese basket, and how he trayled him about the towne.

14, How

14. How Rush became servant to a gentleman, and how the Devill was conjured out of the body of the gentleman's daughter.

The following, which is the seventh chapter, is as good a specimen of the work as can be given.

"It befell upon a time, that Rush, when all "his businesse was done in the kitchen, he woulde 86 goe further into the country to sport him, and "to passe the time with good company. As he **walked on his way, his chaunce was to come "into a village which was two or three mile "from the place where he did dwell, and when "he was entered into the village hee looked "round about him in every corner to finde out +66 some company to make merry withal; and at the last espied an alehouse, and in he entered, and there he found goode fellowes playing at cardes and drinking, and made cheere: then "Rush made obeysance to them and sate doune among them, and dranke with the players, "and afterward he fell to play, and was as "merrie as any man in the company: and so long "he played and passed the time, that cleane he "had forgotten what he had to doe at home,

.66

and the day went fast away, and the night "approached. Anon Rush looked up, and perceived that it was almost night, remem"bered himself that thers was nothing readie at home for the Priours supper and Covent,

"and