[151] Vol. ii. p. 18, and vol. iii. p. lxxxiii.
[152] Typogr. antiq. p. 233.
[153] This seems a mistake for 1602.
[154] He had already stated himself a member of their company. Of this man little more is known than that he lived by his pen. He appears to have assisted in a translation from Meteranus of an account of the civil wars in the Netherlands, published in 1602, by Thomas Churchyard, who in the dedication says that he was "a man more debased by many then he merits of any, so good parts are there in the man."
[155] MS. Reg. 18, A. lxvi. In 1576, Robinson appears to have had a licence to print, xpmas recreacons of histories and moralizacons aplied for our solace and consolacons. See Herbert's typogr. antiq. p. 1023. This might have been his then intended title for the translation of Gesta Romanorum.
[DISSERTATION III.]
ON THE ANCIENT ENGLISH MORRIS DANCE.
It is the observation of an elegant writer, that disquisitions concerning the manners and conduct of our species in early times, or indeed at any time, are always curious at least, and amusing. An investigation of the subject before us, if completely and successfully performed, would serve to fill up a chasm in the history of our popular antiquities: but this must not be expected. The culpable indifference of historical writers to private manners, and more especially to the recreations and amusements of the common people, has occasioned the difficulties that always attend inquiries of this nature, many of which are involved in impenetrable darkness; whilst others can only receive illustration from detached and scattered facts, accompanied by judicious inferences and opinions.