EDWARD ARBER,
Associate, King’s College, London, F.R.G.S., &c.
Foolscap Size.
Ordinary Issue, in 8vo.
Exact and complete Texts, in Stiff Covers, with either cut or uncut edges, as desired, chiefly Sixpence or One Shilling each.
Copies with cut edges supplied, unless otherwise ordered.
Handsome and durable cases, Roxburghe style, for the same—One Shilling each.
Also, two or three of such Works collected into occasional volumes, about Half a Crown each.
Large Paper Edition (L. P.), in 4to.
The same texts, beautifully printed on thick toned paper, in Stiff Covers, uncut edges, at corresponding low prices. Published as far as Selden: the remaining works are in preparation.
Any Work or Volume may be had separately, being simply numbered herein for the sake of distinction.
The Series may be had through any bookseller, or when more convenient, may be obtained by post on remitting Stamps.
1. JOHN MILTON.
(1) A decree of the Starre-Chamber, concerning Printing, made the eleuenth day of July last past. London, 1637.
(2) An Order of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the regulating of Printing, &c. London, 14 June, 1643.
(3) Areopagitica; A speech of Mr. John Milton for the liberty of Vnlicenc’d Printing, to the Parlament of England. London. [24 November]. 1644. Sixpence, L. P. 1s. 6d.
2. HUGH LATIMER, Ex-Bishop of Worcester.
Sermon on the Ploughers. A notable Sermon of ye reuerende father Master Hughe Latimer, whiche he preahecd in ye Shrouds at paules churche in London, on the xviii daye of Januarye. ¶ The yere of our Loorde MDXLviii. Sixpence, L. P. 1s. 6d.
3. STEPHEN GOSSON, Stud. Oxon.
(1) The Schoole of Abuse. Conteining a pleasaunt invective against Poets, Pipers, Plaiers, Jesters, and such like Caterpillers of a Commonwealth; Setting up the Flagge of Defiance to their mischievous exercise, and ouerthrowing their Bulwarkes, by Prophane Writers, Naturall reason, and common experience. A discourse as pleasaunt for gentlemen that fauour learning, as profitable for all that wyll follow vertue. London. [August?] 1579.
(2) An Apologie of the Schoole of Abuse, against Poets, Pipers, and their Excusers. London. [December?] 1579. Sixpence, L. P. 1s. 6d.
Vol. I.—Containing Nos. 1, 2, and 3; in green cloth, red edges. Two Shillings.
4. Sir PHILIP SIDNEY.
An Apologie for Poetrie. Written by the right noble, vertuous and learned Sir Philip Sidney, Knight. London. 1595. Sixpence, L. P. 1s. 6d.
5. EDWARD WEBBE, Chief Master Gunner.
The rare and most vvonderful thinges which Edward Webbe an Englishman borne, hath seene and passed in his troublesome trauailes, in the Citties of Ierusalem, Damasko, Bethelem, and Galely: and in the Landes of Iewrie, Egipt, Gtecia, Russia, and in the land of Prester Iohn. Wherein is set foorth his extreame slauerie sustained many yeres togither, in the Gallies and wars of the great Turk against the Landes of Persia, Tartaria, Spaine, and Portugall, with the manner of his releasement, and comming into London in May last. London. 1590. Sixpence, L. P. 1s. 6d.
6. JOHN SELDEN.
Table Talk: being the Discourses of John Selden Esq.; or his Sence of various Matters of Weight and High Consequence relating especially to Religion and State. London. 1689. One Shilling, L. P. 2s. 6d.
Vol. II.—Containing Nos. 4, 5, and 6; in green cloth, red edges. Half a Crown.
7. ROGER ASCHAM.
Toxophilus. The schole of shooting conteyned in tvvo bookes. To all Gentlemen and yomen of Englande, pleasaunte for theyr pastime to rede, and profitable for theyr use to folow, both in warre and peace. London. 1545. One Shilling.
8. JOSEPH ADDISON.
Criticism of Milton’s Paradise Lost. From The Spectator: being its Saturday issues between 31 December, 1711, and 3 May, 1712. One Shilling.
Vol. III.—Containing Nos. 7 and 8; in green cloth, red edges. Half a Crown.
9. JOHN LYLY, M.A.
(1) ¶ Euphues. The Anatomy of Wit. Verie pleasaunt for all Gentlemen to read, and most necessarie to remember. Wherein are contained the delightes that Wit followeth in his youth by the pleasantnesse of loue, and the happinesse he reapeth in age, by the perfectnesse of Wisedome. London. 1579.
(2) ¶ Euphues and his England. Containing his voyage and aduentures, myxed with sundrie pretie discourses of honest Loue, the Description of the Countrey, the Court, and the manners of that Isle. Delightful to be read, and nothing hurtful to be regarded: wher-in there is small offence by lightnesse giuen to the wise, and lesse occasion of loosenes proffered to the wanton. London, 1580.
Collated with early subsequent editions. Four Shillings.
Vol. IV.—No. 9; in green cloth, red edges. Five Shillings.
10. GEORGE VILLIERS, Duke of Buckingham.
The Rehearsal. As it was Acted at the Theatre Royal London, 1672. With Illustrations from previous plays, &c. 1s.
11. GEORGE GASCOIGNE, Esquire.
(1) A remembravnce of the wel imployed life, and godly end of George Gaskoigne, Esquire, who deceassed at Stalmford in Lincoln shire, the 7 of October 1577. The reporte of Geor Whetstons, Gent an eye witnes of his Godly and Charitable End in this world. London. 1577.
(2) Certayne notes of Instruction concerning the making of verse or rime in English, vvritten at the request of Master Edouardi Donati. 1575.
(3) The Steele Glas. A Satyre compiled by George Gasscoigne Esquire [Written between April 1575 and April 1576]. Together with
(4) The Complaynt of Phylomene. An Elegie compyled by George Gasscoigne Esquire [between April 1562 and 3rd April 1576.] London. 1576. One Shilling.
12. JOHN EARLE, M.A.: afterwards in succession Bishop of Worcester, and of Salisbury.
Micro-cosmographie, or a Peece of the World discovered, in Essays and Characters. London. 1628. With the additions in subsequent editions during the Author’s life time. 1s.
Vol. V.—Containing Nos. 10, 11, and 12; in green cloth, red edges. Three Shillings and Sixpence.
13. HUGH LATIMER, Ex-Bishop of Worcester.
Seven Sermons Before Edward VI.
(1) ¶ The fyrste sermon of Mayster Hugh Latimer, whiche he preached before the Kynges Maiest. wythin his graces palayce at Westmynster. M.D.XLIX. the viii of Marche. (,’,)
(2) The seconde [to seventh] Sermon of Master Hughe Latemer, whych he preached before the Kynges maiestie, withyn hys graces Palayce at Westminster ye. xv. day of March. M.ccccc.xlix. 1s. 6d.
14. Sir THOMAS MORE.
Utopia. (1) A fruteful and pleasaunt worke of the beste state of a publyque weale, and of the newe yle called Utopia: written in Latin by Syr Thomas More knyght, and translated into Englyshe by Raphe Robynson Citizein and Goldsmythe of London, at the procurement, and earnest request of George Tadlowe Citizein and Haberdassher of the same Citie. London. 1551.
[Title-page and preface only.]
(2) A frutefull pleasaunt, and wittie worke, of the best state of a publique weale, and of the new yle, called Utopia: written in Latine, by the right worthie and famous Sir Thomas More knyght, and translated into Englishe by Raphe Robynson, sometime fellowe of Corpus Christi College in Oxford, and nowe by him at this seconde edition newlie perused and corrected, and also with diuers notes in the margent augmented. London. [1556]. One Shilling.
Vol. VI.—Containing Nos. 13 & 14; in green cloth, red edges. Three Shillings.
15. GEORGE PUTTENHAM.
The Arte of English Poesie. Contriued into three Bookes: The first of Poets and Poesie, the second of Proportion, the third of Ornament. London. 1589. Two Shillings.
Vol. VII.—No. 15; in green cloth, red edges. Half a Crown.
16. JAMES HOWELL, Historiographer Royal to Ch. II.
Instructions for Forreine Travell. Shewing by what cours, and in what compasse of time, one may take an exact Survey of the Kingdomes and States of Christendome, and arrive to the practicall knowledge of the Languages, to good purpose. London. 1642. Collated with the edition of 1650; and in its ‘new Appendix for Travelling into Turkey and the Levant parts’ added. Sixpence. [June.
17. The earliest known English comedy.
NICHOLAS UDALL, Master of Eton.
Roister Doister, [from the unique copy at Eton College]. 1566. Sixpence. [July.
18. The Revelation To the Monk of Evesham. He begynnyth a mervelous revelacion that was schewyd of almighty god by sent Nycholas to a monke of Euyshamme yn the days of Kynge Richard the fyrst. And the yere of our lord. M.C.Lxxxxvi. [From the unique copy, printed about 1491, in the British Museum]. Sixpence. [July.
19. JAMES VI. of Scotland, I. of England.
(1) The Essayes of a Prentise, in the Divine Arte of Poesie. Edinburgh 1585.
(2) A Counter Blaste to Tobacco. London. 1604. Sixpence. [Aug.
Vol. VIII.—Containing Nos. 16, 17, 18, and 19; in green cloth, red edges. Half a Crown.
20. FRANCIS BACON.
A Harmony of the Essayes, &c. The four principal texts appearing in parallel columns; viz.:—
(1) Essayes. Religious Meditations. Places of perswasion and disswasion. London 1597. (10 Essays.)
Of the Coulers of good and euill a fragment. 1597.
(2) The Writings of Sr Francis Bacon Knt: the Kinges Sollicitor Generall: in Moralitie, Policie, and Historie. Harleian MS. 5106. Transcribed bet. 1607-12. (34 Essays.)
(3) The Essaies of Sr Francis Bacon Knight, the Kings Solliciter Generall. London. 1612. (38 Essays.)
(4) The Essayes or Counsels, Ciuill and Morall, of Francis Lo. Verulam Viscount St. Albans. Newly Written. 1625. (58 Essays.) Three Shillings. [Sept.
Vol. IX—No. 20; in green cloth, red edges. Three Shillings & Sixpence.
21. Sir ROBERT NAUNTON, Master of the Court of Wards.
Fragmenta Regalia: or, Observations on the late Queen Elizabeth, her Times, and Favourites. [Second Edition. London] 1642. Sixpence. [Sept.
22. THOMAS WATSON, Student at law.
(1) The Εκατομπαθία or Passionate Centurie of Loue. Divided into two parts: whereof, the first expresseth the Authors sufferance in Loue: the latter, his long farewell to Loue and all his tyrannie. Composed by Thomas Watson Gentleman; and published at the request of certaine Gentlemen his very frendes. London [1582.]
(2) Melibœus T. Watsoni, sive, Ecloga in obitum F. Walsinghami, &c. Londini, 1590.
(3) An Eglogue, &c., Written first in latine [the above Melibœus] by Thomas Watson Gentleman and now by himselfe translated into English. London, 1590.
(4) The Tears of Fancy, or Loue disdained. [From the unique copy, wanting Sonnets ix.-xvi., in the possession of S. Christie-Miller, Esq.] London, 1593. Eighteen Pence. [Oct.
Vol. X.—Containing Nos. 21 and 22, in green cloth, red edges. Half a Crown.
23. ROGER ASCHAM.
The Scholemaster, Or plaine and perfite way of teachyng children, to vnderstand, write, and speake, the Latin tong, but specially purposed for the priuate brynging vp of youth in Ientlemen and Noble mens houses, and commodious also for all such, as haue forgot the Latin tonge, and would, by themselues, without a Scholemaster, in short tyme, and with small paines, recouer a sufficient habilitie, to vnderstand, write, and speake Latin. London. 1570. One Shilling. [Oct.
24. WILLIAM HABINGTON.
Castara. The third Edition. Corrected and augmented. London. 1640. With the variations of the two previous editions. One Shilling. [Nov.
Vol. XI.—Containing Nos. 23 and 24; in green cloth, red edges. Half a Crown.
25. JOHN HALL.
Horæ Vacivæ, or Essays. Some occasionall considerations. London. 1646. Sixpence. [Nov.
26. (1) The earliest known English tragedy; and also the earliest English play in blank verse.
THOMAS SACKVILLE, afterwards Lord Buckhurst, and Earl of Dorset: and
THOMAS NORTON, of Sharpenhoe (Beds).
¶ The Tragedie of Ferrex and Porrex, set forth without addition or alteration but altogether as the same as shewed on stage before the Queenes Maiestie, about nine yeares past, vz. the xviij day of Ianuarie. 1561. by the gentlemen of the Inner Temple. London. [1570.]
Collated with the surreptitious edition ‘The Tragedie of Gorboduc,’ of 1565.
(2) SACKVILLES’s The Induction to The Complaynt of Henrye duke of Buckingham, from the second edition of A Myrrovr for Magistrates. London. 1563. One Shilling. [Dec.
27. Sir RICHARD GRENVILLE.
Fight in the ‘Revenge.’ (1) A report [written by Sir Walter Raleigh] of the Truth of the fight about the Isles of Acores, this last Sommer. Betvvixt the Reuenge, one of her Maiesties Shippes, And an Armada of the King of Spaine. London. 1591. [From the Grenville copy.]
(2) The most Honorable Tragedie of Sir Richarde Grinuille, Knight (∴)Bramo assai, poco spero, nulla chieggio. [By Gervase Markham] London. 1595. [Two copies only are known, Mr. Grenville’s cost £40.] Sixpence. [Dec.
Vol. XII.—Containing Nos. 25, 26, and 27; in green cloth, red edges. Half a Crown.
5 Queen Square, Bloomsbury, London, W.C.
The publication of the ‘English Reprints’ passed into the Editor’s hands on the 1st of May last. An inevitable cessation in the issue of new works ensued: but with the appearance of Howell’s Instructions, &c., the Series resumes its growth.
A few changes have been made as to works in immediate preparation. (1) Roister Doister can be published for Sixpence. (2) An early printed rarity, The Revelation to the Monk of Evesham, has therefore been interpolated. (3) Elyot’s Governor has been postponed to next year. (4) In its stead Naunton’s Fragmenta Regalia, and Watson’s ἐκατομπαθία, &c. have been inserted.
It is a great gratification to bring back from oblivion the works of so elegant a poet as Thomas Watson, of whose renown in his own age Francis Meres thus testifies in his Palladis Tamia, 1598.
‘As Italy had Dante, Boccace, Petrarch, Tasso, Celiano, and Ariosto: so England had Mathew Roydon, Thomas Atchelow, Thomas Watson, Thomas Kid, Robert Greene and George Peele.’ —p. 282, b.
‘As Theocritus in Greeke, Virgil and Mantuan in Latine, Sanazar in Italian, and the Authour of Amyntæ Gaudia and Walsinghams Melibœus are the best for pastorall....’ —p. 284, a.
There is, however, further gratulation in that S. Christie-Miller, Esq. has generously consented to the printing of Watson’s The Tears of Fancy, the unique copy of which forms one of the gems of his remarkable collection at Britwell. Altogether, therefore, the Reprint will include above 150 Sonnets, besides the Latin-English elegy Melibœus.
The temporary loan of original editions greatly facilitates the work. Gentlemen who may be willing so to trust the Editor are requested to communicate with him a considerable time in advance of date of publication.
The Series will continue perpetually on sale. Profit is sacrificed to cheapness: and cheapness aimed at, in order that purchasers may acquire not a few works simply, but the entire series. Every endeavour is made that the selection shall be representative of the national literature, as well as varied and interesting in itself: while scrupulous care is bestowed upon each book. It may not therefore be presumption to bespeak unceasing co-operation on the part of all readers of English.
The Large Paper edition will be continued in the autumn.
All communications should be addressed to the undersigned.
EDWARD ARBER.