H.W.
Oxford, April 16, 1850.
[We have since received replies to a similar effect, from "SIR EDMUND FILMER," "J.E.," &c. "R.G." refers our Querist to Leigh's Critica Særa, part I. p. 219. London, 1662; and "M." refers him to the note on this passage in Exodus in M. Polus' Synopsis Criticorum. To "T.E." we are indebted for Notes on other portions of "L.C.'s" Queries.]
The Temple or A Temple.—"Mr. Foss" says (No. 21. p. 335.) that in Tyrwhitt's edition of Chaucer and in all other copies he has seen, the reading is—
"A gentil manciple was there of a temple."
In an imperfect black-letter folio copy of Chaucer in my possession (with curious wood-cuts, but without title-page, or any indications of its date, printer, &c.), the reading is—
"A gentyl mancyple was there of the temple."
That the above is the true reading ("the real passage"), and that it is to be applied to the temple, appears to me from what follows, in the description of the manciple.
"Of maysters had he moo than thryes ten
That were of lawe expirte and curyous,