The Mirror for Magistrates.

In Five Parts, 1815.

Above three years have elapsed since the present edition was projected. It was then intended to form one of a series of reprints of poetical works of the Elizabethan æra that had ceased to be attainable, though entitled by merit to be rescued from undeserved obscurity, and was to have been attached to a periodical work, which has now ceased its circulation.

To select so voluminous a performance as the Mirror for Magistrates might appear extraordinary, had not a more complete edition than has hitherto appeared, been long wanted. A want, which, as the work combined the desultory productions of many writers, and was interspersed with incidental narrative in prose, could not, although a national poem, be supplied by any collection of the English poets. It is true that Sackville’s Induction and the Legend of Buckingham may be found in Dr. Anderson’s collection: but this was a partial appropriation rather fitting the Elegant Extracts, than a Complete Edition of the English poets, from which such a fragment was of course displaced. There was also wanted a certain list of the many editions, with their various additions: what laboured research had not hitherto supplied, for even the critical and valuable examination of the work by Warton, was known, from the references, to have several errors.

The hallowed voice of 'elden’ critics[32] was uniform in its favour; and to that might be joined the opinion of several literary friends, who, on the subject being first agitated, by their assistance made the difficulties that appeared unsurmountable, vanish. It is now comprised in two volumes and five parts, as follows:

Part I.—Sixth Edition:

by John Higgins,[33] is reprinted from the standard edition of 1587 collated with those of 1575, and 1610; and contains

In prose.—The Epistle Dedicatory.—*I. Higgins to the Reader.—*A Preface to the Reader.—In verse:—Thomas Newton to the Reader.—The Author’s Induction.—Legends:

1. Albanact. 21. Emerianus.
2. Humber. 22. Chirinnus.
3. Locrinus. 23. Varianus.
4. Elstride. 24. Nennius.
5. Sabrine. 25. Irenglass.
6. Madan. 26. Cæsar.
7. Malin. 27. Nero.
8. Mempricius. 28. Caligula.
9. Bladud. 29. Guiderius.
10. Cordila. 30. Homo.
11. Morgan. 31. Drusus.
12. Jago. 32. Domitius.
13. Forrex. 33. Galba.
14. Porrex. 34. Otho.
15. Pinnar. 35. Vitellius.
16. Stater. 36. Londricus.
17. Rudacke. 37. Severus.
18. Brennus. 38. Fulgentius.
19. Kimarus. 39. Geta.
20. Morindus. 40. Caracalla.

Niccols rejected the matter distinguished above with an asterisk, and also the intermediate verses as “L’envoy” that connected the legends, which are now restored; and in the notes are given the variations, as originally printed, under the title of “the authour.” Of the legends No. 9, 13, and 14, the notes contain those as printed in the first edition.

Part II. Third Edition:

by Thomas Blenerhasset,[34] from the edition of 1578, collated with that of 1610. Contains

*The Printer to the Reader.—*The Authour’s Epistle unto his friends.—Legends:

*1. Guiderinas. 7.Sigebert.
2. Carassus.[35] 8. Ebbe.
3. Hellina. *9.Alurede.
4. Vortiger. 10.Egelrede.
5. Pendragon. 11.Edricus.
6. Cadwallader. 12.Harold.

The original intermediate prose inductions are now given, which, as well as the articles that have asterisks affixed, were rejected by Niccols.

Part III. Eighth Edition:

by William Baldwin, and his Assistants, is now printed from the edition of 1587, collated with those of 1559, 63, 71, 75, 78, and 1610; and contains

In prose.—*The Epistle dedicatory.—*William Baldwin to the reader.—Richard Niccols to the reader.—Legends:

1.Tresilian Ferrers.[36]
2.Two Mortimers Cavyll.[37]
3.Gloucester Ferrers.
4.Norfolk Chaloner.[38]
5.Richard II. Ferrers.
6.Glendour Phaer.[39]
7.Northumberland Baldwin.[40]
8.Cambridge Baldwin.
9.Salisbury. Baldwin.
10. *James I. Baldwin.
11. Duchess of Gloucester Ferrers.
12. Duke of Gloucester Ferrers.
13. Suffolk Baldwin.
14. Jack Cade Baldwin.
15. Somerset Ferrers.
16. Yorke Baldwin.
17. Clifford Baldwin.
18. Worcester Baldwin.
19. Warwick Baldwin.
20. Henry VIth Baldwin.
21. Clarence Baldwin.
22. Edward IVth Skelton.[41]
23. Rivers Baldwin.
24. Hastings Dolman.[42]
Induction Sackville.[43]
25. Buckingham Sackville.
26. Collingborn Baldwin.
27. *Richard III. Segar.[46]
28. The Blacksmith Cavyll.
29. Burdet Higgins.
30. *James IV. Anonymous.
31. *Floddon Field Dingley.[47]
32. Jane Shore Churchyard.[48]
33. Wolsey Churchyard.
34. Lord Cromwell Drayton.[49]

To the further omissions of Niccols in this part, distinguished as before, may be added the intermediate conversations, in their original text, which are here restored.

Parts IV. and V.—Second Edition:

by Richard Niccols,[50] containing A Winter’s Night’s Vision, and England’s Eliza, are from the edition of 1610.

Such is the analysis of the following volumes, of which the bulk required some historical matter, intended for notes, to be suppressed.

No single library could be expected to contain the many editions used in collation; and copies inspected, of value in other respects. The indulgent loan of those stores claims the acknowledgement of my obligation to Mr. Heber, Mr. Douce, the Hon. Mr. Nassau, Mr. Utterson, and Mr. Gilchrist. The like is due to my friend Sir Egerton Brydges, from whom I have also derived much valuable assistance in the course of the undertaking.

Only one hundred and fifty copies are printed beyond the number demandable under a late Act of Parliament; and let it be recorded, that the work was put to press long before that censurable measure was in agitation, whereby it falls with all the weight and injustice of an ex post facto law upon the proprietors.

JOS. HASLEWOOD.

Conduit Street,

22d Sept. 1815.