[Toady, or Toad-eater, a vulgar name for a fawning, obsequious sycophant, was first given to a gluttonous parasite, famous for his indiscriminate enjoyment and praise of all viands whatever set before him. To test his powers of stomach and complaisance, one of his patrons had a toad cooked and set before him, which he both ate and praised in his usual way.—Ogilvie's Imperial Dictionary.]
Mother Shipton.
—We have all heard of Mother Shipton and her prophecies. Was she a real character? If so, where did she live, and at what period? Were her prophecies ever published? If so, I should like an account of them?
JACOBUS.
[Our correspondent is referred to the following works relating to this renowned personage:—1. The Prophesies of Mother Shipton in the Raigne of King Henry VIII., foretelling the Death of Cardinal Wolsey, the Lord Percy, and others; as also what should happen in ensuing Times: London, 1641, 4to. 2. Two Strange Prophesies, predicting Wonderfull Events to betide this Yeare of Danger in this Climate, where some have already come to passe, by Mother Shipton: London, 1642, 4to. (About 1642 several other tracts were published with the name of Shipton.) 3. The Life and Death of Mother Shipton: London, 1677, 4to. 4. Mother Shipton's Life and Curious Prophecies: London, 1797, 8vo. 5. The History of Mother Shipton: Newcastle, 4to. Nos. 1. and 4. are in the British Museum.]
Replies.
RALPH WINTERTON.
(Vol. v., p. 346.)
There appears to be a slight error in the Editor's reply to E. D.'s Query respecting Ralph Winterton's translation of Gerard's Meditations and Prayers. I have an earlier edition than that of 1631. It is dated 1627,[3] printed at Cambridge by Thomas and John Bucke, and possesses no less than four dedications, which throw some little, and rather curious light on his history. The first, "To the Right Worsh. my most worthy Friend and Benefactour, Mr. John Bowle, Doctor of Divinitie, and Deane of Salisbury," in which he mentions "the fatherly care" he had experienced from that divine, "when he was at Kensington, in the house of that most vertuous and literate Lady, the Lady Coppen." "By your indeficient liberalitie," he says, "all defects were supplyed, all difficulties remooved, horses provided, a man appointed, and, to conclude, by the grace of God, after many a troublesome and wearysome step, to my rest I returned." The second Dedication is, "To the Right Worshipp. vertuous and learned Lady, the Lady Coppen, Mr R. Coppen, Mr T. Coppen, her Sonnes; Mris Elizabeth Coppen, her Daughter-in-Law, &c., Internall, Externall, Eternall Happiness." In this he records, that "scarce had he entered her doores at Kensington, but he was saluted and made welcome by a gentlewoman well deserving at his hands, whose name must not be concealed, Mris Francis Thorowgood, who hasted to carrie news to your Ladyship. Dixirat et dicto citius. Hereupon your Ladyship," he adds, "was pleased, out of hand, leaving all other business, not to send to mee, but to descend yourself to mee; not so much by the degrees of staires, as by a naturall inclination to show your hospitality," &c.; and speaks of her as understanding "the scholler's Languages as well as they that do profess them;" and as being "highly honoured by Queene Elizabeth." The third Dedication is "To the Right Worship. my most munificent Friend, Sir John Hanburie, of Kelmash, in Northamptonshire." The fourth, "To the Worsh. my very worthy Friends, Mr William Bonham (of Paternoster Rowe, in London), and Mris Anne Bonham, his Wife, Mr. Nathaniell Henshawe, of Valence, in Essex; Mr Benjamin Henshawe, of Cheapside, in London; and Mr Thomas Henshawe, of Saffron Walden, in Essex." The third Dedication is dated from Lutterworth, in Leicestershire, May 10: the others from King's Coll., June 12, 1627.
C. W. B.
[3] [The edition of 1627 was unknown to Watt, and is not to be found in the libraries of the British Museum or the Bodleian.—ED.]