F. S. Q.
Catcalls (Vol. vi., pp. 460. 559.).—For a long and humorous dissertation upon this instrument, I beg to refer your sceptical correspondent M. M. E. to page 130. of a scarce and amusing little work, entitled A Taste of the Town, or a Guide to all Publick Diversions, &c.; London, printed and sold by the booksellers of London and Westminster, 1731, 12mo. The passages are not unworthy of transcription; but, I fear, would be too long for insertion in your columns.
William Bates.
Birmingham.
"Plurima, pauca, nihil," (Vol. vi., p. 511.; Vol. vii., p. 96.).—The following couplet will be found in Jo. Burch. Menckenii De Charlataneria Eruditorum Declamationes, page 181. of the edit. Amst. 1727. The lines are there given as a specimen of "versus quos Galli vocant rapportez:"
"Vir simplex, fortasse bonus, sed Pastor ineptus,
Vult, tentat, peragit, plurima, pauca, nihil."
N. B.
I have met with the following metrical proverb, which may afford satisfaction to your correspondent, which dates certainly before 1604:
"Modus retinendorum amicorum.