"It has been remarked, that his muse is seldom found in the best company; and to have become so well acquainted with the bullies, drunkards, gamesters, and cheats, whom he describes, he must have frequented the haunts of dissipation in which such characters are to be found. But the humorous descriptions of low life exhibited in his satires are more precious to antiquaries than more grave works, and those who make the manners of Shakespeare's age the subject of their study may better spare a better author than Samuel Rowlands."
32.
A discourse plainely proving the evident utilitie and urgent necessitie of the desired happie union of the two famous kingdomes of England and Scotland: by way of answer to certaine objections against the same. (By John Thornborough, Bishop of Bristol.) London, 1604.
The joiefull and blessed reuniting the two mighty and famous kingdomes, England and Scotland into their ancient name of Great Brittaine. By John Bristoll. Printed at Oxford. N. d.
On May 26th, 1604, the attention of the House of Commons was called to these books as tending to the derogation and scandal of the proceedings of that House in the matter of the Union, and a Committee was appointed to consider the heads of a message to be sent to the Lords touching the same, and on June 1st the Committee was named.
Shortly after this an inhibition from the Convocation House issued, and on June 21st, 1604, it was resolved "to pray conference touching the instrument read by the bishops at the late conference, taxing the intermeddling of this house in matters of religion." Also "to desire the submission of the Bishop in writing, to be delivered unto them publicly in the House, before the Lords; and that the books might be prohibited and suppressed."[15]
These books were both reprinted in one volume in the year 1641.
33.
Eastward Hoe. As it was playd in the Black-friers by the children of her Maiestie's Revels. Made by Geo. Chapman, Ben. Jonson, Joh. Marston. London, 1605.