[Cross symbol]
[Is not our correspondent a little mistaken in supposing that the last letter in "viz." as originally a letter z? Was it not one of the arbitrary marks of contraction used by the scribes of the middle ages, and being in form something like a "z," came to be represented by the early printers by that letter? In short, the sign3 was a common abbreviation in records for terminations, as omnib3 for omnibus, hab3 for habet. Vi3, corruptly viz. is still in use.]
Authors of Old Plays.
We are enabled by the courtesy of several correspondents, to answer two of the Queries of Q.D., in No. 5. p. 77., respecting the authors of certain old plays.
G.H.B. informs us that Sicily and Naples was written by Samuel Harding; of whom, as we learn from J.F.M., an account will be found in Wood's Athenae.
NASO informs Q.D. that Nero was written by Matthew Gwinne; there are two editions of it, viz. 1603 and 1633,—and that a copy of it may be procured at 17. Wellington Street, Strand, for 2s.
Birthplace of Coverdale.
Can you inform me of the birthplace of Miles Coverdale?
W.C.
["Bishop Myles Coverdale is supposed to have been born in the year of our Lord 1488, in the district of Coverdale, in the parish of Coverham, near Middleham, in the North Riding of Yorkshire; and it is the opinion of the learned historian of Richmondshire, that it is an assumed, and not a family name." These are the words of the Rev. Geo. Pearson, B.D., the very competent editor of the works of Bishop Coverdale, published by the Parker Society. His reference is to Whitaker's Hist. of Richmondshire, vol. i. p. 17.]