3. The Breviary of Health, 4to., London, 1547.
4. The Princyples of Astronomye, 12mo., R. Copland, London, n. d.
Wood tells us he wrote "a book on prognosticks," and another "of urines." The Merry Tales of the Wise Men of Gotham are also ascribed to him, as well as A Right Pleasant and Merry History of the Mylner of Abington, &c.
The origin of the Merry Tales is pointed out by Horsfield, in his History of Lewes, vol. i. p. 239.:—
"At a last, holden at Pevensey, Oct. 3, 24 Hen. VIII., for the purpose of preventing unauthorised persons 'from setting nettes, pottes, or innyances,' or anywise taking fish within the privileges of the Marsh of Pevensey, the king's commission was directed to John, Prior of Lewes; Richard, Abbot of Begham; John, Prior of Mychillym; Thomas, Lord Dacre, and others ... Dr. Boorde (the original Merry Andrew) founds his tale of the 'Wise Men of Gotham' upon the proceedings of this meeting, Gotham being the property of Lord Dacre, and near his residence."
The inhabitants of Gotham in Nottinghamshire have hitherto been considered the "biggest fools in christendom;" but if the above extract is to be depended upon, the Gothamites of Sussex have a fair claim to a share of this honourable distinction.
The quotation from the History of Lewes was first pointed out by your learned correspondent, MR. M. A. LOWER, in a communication to Mr. Halliwell's Archæologist, 1842, p. 129. The investigation of the origin of this popular collection of old Joe Millerisms is of some importance, because upon them rests Dr. Boorde's title to be the "progenitor of Merry Andrew."
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
SHAKSPEARE NOTES.
Who was the editor of The Poems and Plays of William Shakspeare, eight vols. 8vo., published by Scott and Webster in 1833?