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EARLY OXFORD PRESS

MADAN

London

HENRY FROWDE

Oxford University Press Warehouse

Amen Corner, E.C.

New York

MACMILLAN & CO., 66 FIFTH AVENUE

AN OXFORD TITLE-PAGE, 1640

The
Early Oxford Press
A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PRINTING AND PUBLISHING AT OXFORD
‘1468’–1640
WITH NOTES, APPENDIXES AND ILLUSTRATIONS

BY

FALCONER MADAN, M. A.

FELLOW OF BRASENOSE COLLEGE, OXFORD

Oxford

AT THE CLARENDON PRESS

1895

Oxford

PRINTED AT THE CLARENDON PRESS

BY HORACE HART, PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

PREFACE

The present work was undertaken early in 1889, and is an attempt to describe in detail the products and working of the Oxford Press in its early days. Though eclipsed by the glories of the later University Press, the first period, included in this book, has a natural importance of its own. The Fifteenth and early Sixteenth Century presses[^[1]] are necessarily of interest, and when printing became firmly established in 1585 it began to reflect faithfully the current tendencies of thought and study in the University. Theology is predominant, animated on its controversial side with fierce opposition to the Church of Rome, but the quieter fields of classical work are well represented, and side by side is seen an increasing study of English literature. Of lighter books there are few, and of chapbooks perhaps only one (1603, no. 5).

The most important works produced at Oxford between 1585 and 1640 were Richard de Bury’s Philobiblon (1599), Wycliff’s treatises (1608), capt. John Smith’s Map of Virginia (1612), Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy (1621, &c.), Field on the Church (1628, &c.), Sandys’ translations of Ovid’s Metamorphoses (1633), the University Statutes (1634), Chaucer’s Troilus and Cressida in English and Latin (1635), Chillingworth’s Religion of Protestants (1638), and Bacon’s Advancement and Proficience of Learning, in English (1640: see frontispiece). There are of course many books on logic, philosophy and the like, intended for the University curriculum, and many collections of the rhetorical poems by which the University was expected to condole or rejoice with every change in the royal estate. 180 pages of mechanical grief at Elizabeth’s death in 1603 are at once followed by 200 pages of equally mechanical congratulations to James I: and the metrical tears dropped in turn on the grave of the latter monarch in March 1625, are in May succeeded with indecorous haste by songs of joy on the marriage of his successor. Some volumes of English poems and plays occur, by Skelton, Nicholas Breton, Churchyard, Fitz-Geffrey, Randolph, Cartwright, Fletcher, and others, and a few still lighter pieces, such as a Masque at Richmond, partly in Wiltshire dialect, and “Bushell’s Rock,” both in 1636. There are traces of the study of Spanish, French and Welsh, as well as of Latin and Greek; and an attempt to introduce phonetic writing and spelling was made by Charles Butler in 1633 and 1634. Even theological disputes are lightened by the solemn account of certain Jesuits in the East, who dressed up a carcase as that of a queen recently deceased, obtained much glory from the miracles it wrought, until the real corpse arrived and the priests vacated the vicinity (1633, Gregorius). There is something surprising in Oxford being chosen as the printing-place of a book to persuade mothers to nurse their own children (1622, Clinton); and an episcopal alchemist is not often to be met with in real life (1621, Thornborough). It is less to be wondered at that a college which had leased land to Queen Elizabeth for a quiet five thousand years, should try to be relieved of its agreement within fifty (1623, Oxford).

There is no need of a general history of the University Press at this time, as distinguished from the annals which the Appendixes of this work present. The printers were privileged members of the University, and occasionally printed “cum privilegio,” but there is little to invest their personal proceedings with importance. Though it is true that money was advanced in 1585 by the Earl of Leicester, Chancellor of the University, to set up Joseph Barnes with a new press, and that the charter of privileges in 1632 gave the University direct control of the printing, there are as yet few signs of actual academical patronage or interference, and the failures and successes of the printers and publishers, which can be traced in detail in Appendixes C and F, are the ordinary fluctuations of trade. Nor can the Oxford press at this time claim much connexion with the greater world of the English Court or Church. After it was placed on a permanent footing by the Earl of Leicester, its one great patron and protector within our period was Archbishop Laud, who occupied a similar position to that of Bishop Fell at a later period in the same century.

The year 1640 has been chosen as the inferior limit of this bibliography, partly because both the British Museum Catalogue of early English books and Arber’s Transcript of the Registers of the Stationers’ Company stop at that point, partly because the interest in the products of the press as such was found to be rapidly diminishing, and partly in consequence of the break-up of all quiet progress during the convulsions of the Rebellion, combined with the dismal prospect of that trackless wilderness—the literature of the Civil War.

The present bibliography presents, it is believed, four features of novelty:—the better representation of the titlepage by the use of Roman and Italic capitals as well as ordinary type; the mention of the chief type used in each book; the furnishing of the first words of certain pages, to facilitate the identification of imperfect copies; and the insertion of actual pages[^[2]] of books printed at Oxford, selected from works which are cheap and common. These points are explained and discussed in a paper on Method in Bibliography, printed at pp. 91–106 of vol. 1 of the Transactions of the Bibliographical Society (1893), to which the reader is referred, if he wishes to see a fuller account of the whole aim and method of the present book.

The best thanks of the writer are due for general help to Mr. E. Gordon Duff, Librarian of the John Rylands (late Spencer) Library at Manchester, to Mr. F. J. H. Jenkinson, Librarian of the Cambridge University Library, and to Mr. W. H. Allnutt of the Bodleian: but especially to the Delegates of the Clarendon Press both for undertaking on liberal terms a work which can scarcely prove remunerative, and for enabling the Oxford Historical Society to supply copies to its members, as vol. xxix, at a price far below its actual cost[^[3]]. Mr. Horace Hart, the Controller of the Press, has taken a warm personal interest in the printing, and any merits of form which may be found are due to his experience and to the co-operation of his compositors. Nothing, however, can relieve the writer of responsibility for the errors and shortcomings which will be detected; and he can only plead that it is better to bring out an imperfect book, if it is a useful one and the result of hard work, than, by straining after an unattainable completeness, to delay indefinitely its publication.

F. MADAN.

Oxford, Dec., 1894.

Minor Points.

Dates. The books classed under a given year, such as 1615, are necessarily such as were issued between 25 March 1615 and 24 March 1616, since no means exist for dividing them according to the historical year. In recording a date between Jan. 1 and March 24, the form used is invariably the double one, such as 23 Feb. 1615
6, by which is implied what we understand by 23 Feb. 1616.

Numbers of books. Some notes on the number of books printed at Oxford will be found on p. [291], and of books printed or published at Oxford on p. [292], among the Notanda.

References. The usual style of reference throughout the book (including index) is to the year followed by the initial letter of the particular heading; as 1634 C, when the reference is to no. 9 on p. [177] (Cosin). A few references will be found in the earlier pages to years beyond 1640, made before it was decided to close the work at that year.

Titles. The heading usually presents the author’s name in the form by which he is generally known to posterity, as “James ii, king,” although at the time of the book referred to he was prince James.

LIST OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND TABLES

PLAN OF THE BIBLIOGRAPHY

15th and early 16th century.

The books of these periods are in some respects exceptionally treated, but the general plan is similar to that of the later press. Pages [1]–7 (printed off in 1889) must be taken in close connexion with Appendixes A and B, which correct and supplement those pages in important points.

1585–1640.

1. After the heading (which in all cases is the author or a body representing the author, if known; otherwise the catch-title) comes the title, reproduced faithfully so far as was possible with the employment of four types. A fifth minute type indicates letters represented by contractions in the original. The occurrence of a “motto” (whether a text or quotation), a device (see p. [289]) or woodcuts (see p. [290]) is noted in square brackets. A * before the heading implies “undated”: a † “no place of printing mentioned.”

2. Next follows the technical description, comprising:—

a. The number of the imprint (see pp. [292]–310: it would have been better to add the names of the printer and publisher to the bare reference).

b. The date.

c. The apparent size of a page of an ordinary uncut copy, according to the scale,

The number of leaves in a section (quire or gathering) precedes, within round brackets, when different from what is suggested by the apparent size: as “(eights) small 4^o.” When it has been desirable to indicate further the way in which the original sheets of paper have been folded, the words single, double, or treble (for once, twice, or thrice folded) are used on p. [238].

d. The number of pages of a perfect copy, in square brackets when there is no printed pagination, as “pp. [16] + 121 + [9].” When printed pagination does not occur in the book at all, the signatures are also given.

e. The first words of the 11th page, and of later ones in the case of a large work, always in italics.

f. The common type of the body of the work, followed by the terms Roman, Italic, or English (i. e. Black-letter): see pp. [291]–2.

g. The contents. Every page not mentioned is blank, without exception.

3. Notes on the book. A reference to Wood’s Athenæ and Fasti Oxonienses, as edited by Bliss (1813–20), has been considered as superseding in most instances any biographical account of the author. And the limitation of the present work to a bibliography of a press, not of books connected with the University, has been borne in mind.

THE OXFORD PRESS.

The Fifteenth Century Press[^[4]].

“1468.”

[Rufinus, of Aquileia]. [Sign. a 1^r:—] Incipit exposicio sancti Ieronimi in | simbolum apostolorum ad papam laurentium. [Sign. e 9^v:—] Explicit exposicio sancti Ieronimi in | simbolo apostolorum ad papam lauren|cium Impressa Oxonie Et finita An|no domini . M . cccc . lxviij . xvij . die | decembris.

Impr. as above, Oxford, “1468”: 8^o: pp. [84], signn. a-d⁸ e¹⁰: sign. b 1^r beg. tali generacione. Contents:—pp. (1–82) the treatise.

The work here ascribed to St. Jerome is in reality by Tyrannius Rufinus of Aquileia, d. 610.

1479.

1. Aegidius de Columna, of Rome. [Sign. a 2^r:—] Incipit tractatus solennis fratris Egi|dij de ordine fratrum Augustinensium de | peccato originali [Sign. c 7^v:—] Explicit tractatus breue [altered by hand to breuis] et vtilis de | originali peccato Editus a fratre Egidio | Romano ordinis fratrum heremitarum san|cti augustini. Impresso [altered by hand to impressus] et finito [finitus, as before] Oxonie. | A natiuitate domini . M . cccc . lxxix . xiiij . die | mensis marcij

Impr. as above, Oxford, probably 1479
80: 8^o: pp. [48], signn. a-c⁸: sign. b 1^r beg. quod contrahamus. Contents:—pp. (3–46) the treatise.

The editio princeps of this work by bp. Aegidius de Columna, of Rome.

2. Aristotle. [Sign. y 6^r:—] Explicit textus ethicorum Aristotelis | per leonardum arretinum lucidissime transla|tus correctissimeque. Imp ressus Oxoniis | Anno domini . M . cccc. lxxix.

Impr. as above, Oxford, 1479: 8^o: pp. [348], signn. a-x⁸ y⁶: sign. b 1^r beg. Mnis ars. Contents:—pp. (3–4) “prefacio leonardi arretini in libros ethicorum”: (5–15) “prologus” by the same: (17–347) the treatise.

A Latin translation of the Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle by Leonardus Brunus of Arezzo (Arretium).

1480.

*†Cicero, Marcus Tullius. [M. Tulli Ciceronis Oratio pro T. Annio Milone.]

[Oxford, about 1480]: 6^o: probably 60 pages, signn. a-e⁶. Contents:—pp. (probably 3–60) the oration.

Only known from fragments containing signn. b 3, b 4, e 3, e 4, in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. It is still not absolutely certain that this book was printed at Oxford. If it was, this, and not the Andria of Terence printed by Pynson in 1497, was the first English edition of any part of a classic author in the original language.

1481.

1. Alexander de Hales, the doctor irrefragabilis. [Sign. g 5^v:—] Explicit expositio venerabilis | Alexandri super primum librum de anima. [Sign. y 7^v:—] Explicit elucidantissima exposi⸗|tio egregij Alexandri super secundum | librum de anima. [Sign. H 8^r:—] Explicit sentenciosa atque studio | digna expositio venerabilis Alexan|dri super tercium librum de anima. Imp⸗|pressum per me Theodericum rood de | Colonia in alma vniuersitate Oxon̄. | Anno incarnacionis dominice. M . cccc . | lxxxi . xi . die mensis Octobris.

Impr. as above, Oxford, 1481: la. 8^o, perhaps (eights) fol.: pp. [480], signn. a-f⁸, g⁶, h-s⁸, t-x⁶, y-z and A-H⁸: sign. b 1^r beg. vel non sit, B 1^r beg. vna natura. Contents:—signn. a 2^r-g 5^v, bk. 1, with short preface: h 1^r-y 7^v, bk. 2: z 1^r-H 8^r, bk 3.

The editio princeps et unica of the Latin Commentary on the De Anima (περὶ ψυχῆς) of Aristotle, made by Alexander de Hales (i.e. probably Hailes near Winchcombe) the doctor irrefragabilis (d. 1245), to be distinguished from Alexander de Ales or Alesius. Of this book there are two issues, the earlier with no border, the later with an elaborate woodcut border, the first ever found in an English printed book, surrounding the entire printed text of sign. a 2^r. There are two similar issues of the Lathbury, 1482.

2. *†Latin Grammar. [A Latin Grammar in English with examples, only known from two leaves in the British Museum, signn. b 2 and (presumably) b 5: b 2 beg. “case As I muste”, ends “adyectyuys and voy”: b 5 beg. “Also when y haue”, ends “quem queris”. Date probably 1481: probably sm. 4^o (but in eights), the chain lines being across the page.]

1482.

†Lathbury, John. [Sign. b 8^v:—] Explicit prologus Sequitur li⸗|ber moralium super trenis Iheremie pro⸗|phete &c̄. [Sign. z 8^v:—] Et sic est fmis huius operis mo⸗|ralium super ca . I . trenorum ihere. prophete In | cipit trenorum Capitulum secundum. [A similar colophon follows chapter 2 on sign. K (“k k”) 7^v.] [Sign. L 7^v:—] Explicit exposicio ac moralisacio | tercij capituli trenorum Iheremie pro|phete . Anno domini M . cccc . lxxxij vlti⸗|ma die mensis Iulij | [Sign. O 5^v:—] Explicit tabula super opus trenorum | compilatum per Iohannem Lattebu . | rij ordinis minorum.

Impr. as above, [Oxford] 1482: la. 8^o, perhaps (eights) fol.: pp. [584], signn. a-z, A-I, kk, L-M⁸, N-O⁶: sign. b 1^r beg. strennuitatem, B 1^r beg. didit &c̄. Contents:—signn. a 2^r-b 8^v, prologue: c 1^r-L 7^v, the work in 3 chapters: M 1^r-O 5^v, alphabetical index.

The editio princeps et unica of the Latin Commentary on the Lamentations of Jeremiah, made by John Lathbury. Of this book there are two issues, with and without the woodcut border mentioned under the Alexander de Hales, 1481.

1483.

1. [*†Anwykyll, John]. [Compendium totius grammaticae]. [Sign. n 1^r:—] Uulgaria quedam abs Terentio in Anglicam ling|uam traducta.

No doubt printed at Oxford, probably in 1483: sm. 4^o: pp. [256?], signn. a-q⁸(?). Contents:—signn. a-m, the work(?), n 1^r-q 8^v, Vulgaria Terentii.

A Latin Grammar in Latin believed to be by John Anwykyll, of which this edition is only known from fragments, but which was reprinted at Deventer in 1489. The Vulgaria Terentii (sentences from Terence with English translation) was sold as a separate part, and still exists complete in itself. There are two issues of the Grammar, not at present clearly distinguished.

2. *†Hampole, Richard Rolle of. [Sign. a 2^r:—] Explanationes notabiles deuotissimi viri Ricardi | Hampole heremite super lectiones illas beati Iob que solent | in exequijs defunctorum legi que non minus historiam quam tropo|logiam & anagogiam ad studentium vtilitatem exactissi⸗|me annotauit. [Sign. k 6^v:—] Sermo beati Augustiui de misericordia | et pia oracione pro defunctis. |

[Oxford, probably 1483]: (sixes) 12^o: pp. [128], signn. a-k [“lr”]⁶ l⁴: sign. b 1^r beg. visitat ad. Contents:—sign. a 2^r-k 6^r, Hampole on Job: k 6^v-l 3^v, Augustine.

3. *Logic. [Sign. A 2^r:—] Uoniam ex terminis fiunt proposiciones ... [19 Latin treatises on logical subjects].

No place or date [Oxf., about 1483]: (sixes) 8^o: pp. [328], signn. A-Z, Aa-Cc⁶: Dd⁸: sign. B 1^r beg. nulla proposicio, Bb 1^r illis superfluum. Contents:—signn. A 2^r-Dd 5^v nineteen logical treatises, the last ending “Explicit tractatus de motu velocitatis. Sequitur tabula”: Dd 6^r-8^r, a table in Latin giving the heads of the parts of each treatise, each group preceded by “Tractatus”: Dd 8^r “Ad lectores carmen” and “Registrum cartarum”.

These nineteen logical treatises are strung together to form a systematic work on Logic: at the end of the 17th, on sign. Bb 3^v, is “Et sic finiuntur insolubilia swynishede.”, i. e. Roger Swineshede (Suinesheved, Swincet &c.), but he was probably only the author of that part. The last treatise is physical rather than logical.

4. *Lyndewoode, William. [Sign. S 9^v:—] Explicit opus magistri wil|helmi lyndewoode Super con⸗|stituciones prouinciales laus deo. [Sign. dd 7^v:—] Explicit tabula compendiosa super librum | qui intitulatur prouincialis compilata per wil⸗|helmum de Tylia nemore completa In festo | conuersacionis Sancti Pauli . Anno domini | Millesimo . CCCC . xxxiij.

No imprint, but Oxford about 1483: (eights) fol.: pp. [732], signn. a-c⁸, d⁶, e-i⁸, k⁶, l-o⁸, p⁶, q-s⁸, t⁶, v-y⁸, z⁶, A-D⁸, E⁶, F-N⁸, O⁶, P-R⁸, S¹⁰, aa-cc⁸, dd¹⁰: sign. b 1^r beg. de hijs habes, B 1^r beg. supra c. proxi., bb 1^r beg. eas delinquat. Contents:—sign. a 1^v, woodcut of a doctor at his desk: a 2^r, “Prologus”: a 2^v-S 9^v, the work in five books: aa 2^r-aa 2^v “tabula constitucionum prouincialium”: aa 3^r-dd 7^v, an index: dd 8^r-10^r, table of Constitutions according to author.

The editio princeps of the Provincial Constitutions of England, in Latin, with a Latin Commentary on them by William Lyndewoode (d. 1446). See 1664 L, 1679 L.

1485.

1. *†Alexander de Villa Dei. [Textus Alexandri cum sententiis].

[Oxford, about 1485]: sm. 4^o.

Only known from two leaves (signn. c²-c³) in the Library of St. John’s College, Cambridge. A grammatical work, of which other editions were printed in London by Wynkin de Worde (sine anno) and Pynson (1516), and elsewhere.

2. Phalaris. [Sign. a 2^r:—] Francisci Aretini Oratoris pre⸗|clarissimi in eloquentissimas Phala|ridis tyranni epistolas per ipsum | e greco in latinum versas. Prohe⸗|mium foeliciter incipit [Sign. m 6^r:—] Hoc oposculum in alma vniuersi⸗|tate Oxonie. A Natali christiano | Ducentesima & nonagesima septima. | Olimpiade foeliciter impressum est.

Oxford, 1485, printed by Theodoric Rood and Thomas Hunte: (eights) squ. 12^o: pp. [176], signn. a-d⁸, e⁶, f⁸, g⁶, h⁸, i⁶, k-l⁸, m⁶: sign. b 1^r beg. Udio vos. Contents:—sign. a 1^v “Carmeliani Brixiensis Poete ad lectorem Carmen,” 12 elegiac lines: a 2^r-m 6^r, the work: on m 6^v after the colophon “Hoc Teodericus rood quem collonia misit | Sanguine germanus nobile pressit opus | Atque sibi socius thomas fuit anglicus hunte. | Dij dent vt venetos exuperare queant | Quam ienson venetos decuit vir gallicus artem | Ingenio didicit terra britanna suo. | Celatos veneti nobis transmittere libros | Cedite nos alijs vendimus o veneti | Que fuerat vobis ars primum no ta latini | Est eadem nobis ipsa reperta patres. | Quamuis semotos toto canit orbe britannos | Uirgilius. placet his lingua latina tamen.

A Latin translation of the spurious Letters of Phalaris.

1486.

[†Mirk, John]. [Sign. ( ) 2^r:—] Incipit liber qui | vocatur festialis [Sign. z 3^r:—] Here endith the boke | that is callid festiuall. | the yere of oure lord M | cccc . lxxxvi . the day aftir | seint Edward the kyng.

Imprint as above, n. pl., but Oxford 1486 (probably 19 Mar. 1486
7): la. 8^o: pp. [348], signn. ( )⁸, a-b⁸, c⁶, d⁸, d⸴⁸, e⁶, f⁸, g⁴, h⁸, i⁶, k-l⁸, m⁶, n-o⁸, p⁶, q⁸, r⁶, s⁸, t-v⁶, x⁸, y⁶, z⁴: sign. b 1^r beg. diuerse skylles. Contents:—sign. ( ) 1^r, woodcut of Crucifixion: ( ) 1^v-z 3^r, the work.

English sermons on the holy days and a few of the Sundays of the year: written or collected by John Mirk, canon of Lilleshall. Other early English printed editions exist, beginning with one by Caxton in about 1483. Variations are found in the setting up of signn. h and i. The first two leaves are not at present known to exist.

The Early Sixteenth Century Press[^[5]].

1517.

Burley, Walter. ¶ Tractatus expositorius ⁄ super libros poste⸗|riorum Arestotilis: preclarissimi philisophi | Walteri Burlei artium liberalium | et trium philosophiarum magi⸗|stri meritissimi: ac in sacra | theologia doctoris perspi|cacissimi planissimique | suis posteris Oxoniensibus admodum vtilis incipit feli⸗|citer cum summa diligentia. | recognitus. [Then woodcut]. [Sign. B 6^v:—] Explicit scriptum planissimi doctoris Walteri | Burlei super libros posteriorum Impressum | in academia Oxonie anno dominice in|carnationis . M . CCCCC . xvii . | Die vero decembris quar|to ad laudem dei | & profectum | studentium. [Then woodcut: then] Fata regunt finem: spero dij cepta secundent. |

Impr. as above, Oxford 1517: sm. 4^o: pp. [20], signn. A⁴, B⁶: sign. B 1^r beg. Sed quia. Contents:—sign. A 1^r, title, with arms of University: A 1^v-B 5^v, the work: B 6^r, royal arms: B 6^v, colophon with arms of University repeated.

A Latin Commentary by Walter Burley on the Posterior Analytics of Aristotle.

1518.

1. Burley, Walter. ¶ Tractatus perbreuis de materia & forma: | Magistri Walteri Burlei doctoris planissimi. [Then woodcut: then] ¶ Aliud perbreue compendium de relatiuis e⸗|iusdem doctoris vtile tamen admodum | nouellis logicis. [Sign. B 3^r:—] ¶ Finit tractatus duorum principio⸗|rum et de relatiuis. Magistri Walte|ri Burley Oxoniensis. | ¶ Finis. [Sign. B 4^v:—] ¶ Impositus est finis tractatui doctoris planissimi | de duobus principijs . s.[iue] mater ia et forma et de rela⸗|tiuis cum speciali priuilegio per septennium ex edicto dig|nissimi cancellarii Oxonie. [Then woodcut: then] ¶ Impressum est presens opusculum in celeberima | vniuersitate Oxoniensi per me Ioannem Scolar in | viculo diui Ioannis baptiste moram trahentem An⸗|no domini . M . CCCCC . decimooctauo. Mensis vero Iu⸗|nij die septimo.

Impr. as above, Oxford, 1518: sm. 4^o: pp. [16], signn. A-B⁴: sign. B 1^r beg. est dare. Contents:—sign. A 1^r, title: A 2^r-B 3^r, the work in two parts: B 3^v, woodcut of royal arms: B 4^v, colophon.

2. Dedicus, Joannes. Questiones | moralissime super li⸗|bros Ethicorum eruditissimi | viri Ioannis Dedicus artium libe⸗|ralium triumque philosophiarum magistri | optime meriti / et in moralibus pre ceteris satis pe⸗|riti feliciter incipiunt subtilissimis Oxoniensibus in philo⸗|sophia morali lucubrare cupientibus non magis | vtiles quam necessarie. | [Then engraving of the University arms]. [Sign. N 4^v:—] ¶ Explicitum est Ioannis Dedici Oxoniensis in | morali philosophia eruditissimi preclarum opusculum | questionum / subtilissimediscucientium (licet sparsim cum | quadam tamen dependentia) singulas materias in decem | libris ethicorum Arestotilis inuestigatas / vti summa | industria lucubranti patebit. Impressumque in cele⸗|berima vniuersitate Oxoniensi per me Iohannem | Scolar in viculo sancti Ioannis Baptiste moram tra⸗|hentem . Anno domini . M . CCCCC . decimooctauo . Men⸗|sis vero Maij die decimoquinto . [ornament] | ¶ Cum priuilegio . | ¶ Uetitum est per edictum sub sigillo cancellariatus | ne quis in septennio hoc insigne opus imprimat | vel aliorum ductu impensis venditet in vni⸗|uersitate Oxonie: aut infra precinctum | eiusdem: sub pena amissionis omnium | librorum et quinque librarum ster⸗|lingorum pro singulis sic ven|ditis ubiubi impressi fue⸗|rint preter penam pretax⸗|atam in decreto. | ¶ Cornicum oculos configere noli.

Impr. as above, Oxf. 1518: (eights & fours) sm. 4^o: pp. [152], foll. 75 + [1], signn. A⁸, B⁴, C⁸, D⁴, E⁸, F⁴, G⁸, H⁴, I⁸, K⁴, L⁸, M-N⁴: sign. B 1^r beg. pertinet ad. Contents:—p. (1) Title and large woodcut: (2) large woodcut of the royal arms with supporters &c.: (3–152) the work: (152) colophon, &c.

Of Johannes Dedicus (perhaps, as has been suggested by prof. H. W. Chandler, Dethick) nothing is known. The Quaestiones extend to the end of the 5th book of the Ethics, and the last paragraph is a summary of the 6th.

3. *Laet, Jaspar. [at end:—] FIniunt prenostica exerpta a prenosticis egregii viri magistri Iasparis | Laet angligenis cognitu maxime vtilia. Et in celebe⸗|rima oxoniensi academia | [woodcuts] impressa [woodcuts]. |

Imprint as above, Oxford, [probably 1518]: 4^o[?]: broadside. Contents:—on 1st page, the Praenostica.

Only known from the lower half of the sheet preserved in the Cambridge University Library, where the upper half is also believed to be.

4. Lux. ¶ Compendium questionum de luce et lumine [followed by a small woodcut and the four quaestiones]. [Sign. B 4^v:—] ¶ Cum priuilegio dignissi⸗|mi Cancellarij vniuer⸗|sitatis Oxonie. [Then a large woodcut: then] ¶ Finit compendium questiuncularum de luce & de | lumine nouiter recognitum. Impressumque in celiberi⸗|ma vniuersitate Oxoniensi per me Ioannem Sco⸗|lar in viculo diui Ioannis baptiste moram trahentem | Anno domini . M . CCCCC . decimooctauo . Mensis vero | Iunij die quinto.

Impr. as above, Oxford, 1518: sm. 4^o: pp. [16], signn. A-B⁴: sign. B 1^r beg. vt intentio. Contents:—A 1^r, title: A 1^v-B 4^r, the work: B 4^v, the colophon.

5. Whittington, Robert. ¶ De heteroclitis nominibus. | ¶ Editio Roberti Whittintoni lichfeldien|sis Grammatice magistri: et protouatis | anglie in florentissima Oxoniensi achade|mia Laureati ⁄ de heteroclitis nominibus | et gradibus comparationis. [Then woodcut: then a “tetrastichon” and a “distichon.”] [Sign. B 4^v:—] [Roberti] whittintoni lichfeldiensis de heteroclitis no|[minibus & de] gradibus comparationis Oxonie impressa per | [me Ioannem] Scolar in viculo diui Ioannis baptiste mo|[ram tra]hentem Anno domini . M . CCCCC . decimooctauo | [M]ensis vero Iunij . die vicesimoseptimo.

Impr. as above, Oxford, 1518: sm. 4^o: pp. [16], signn. A⁶, B⁴: sign. B 1^r beg. Hic tapes. Contents:—A 1^r, title &c. as above: A 2^r-B 4^v, the work (on B 4^v also occur a woodcut of the arms of the University and the colophon).

Only known from an imperfect copy in the Bodleian rescued from the binding of a book.

1519.

Compotus. ¶ Compotus manualis | ad vsum Oxoniensium. | [device]. [sign. B 4^v:—] ¶ Impressum est presens opusculum in ce⸗|leberrima vniuersitate Oxoniensi per | me Carolum Kyrfoth. In vico | diui Joannis baptiste moram | trahentem Anno domini . M . D . xix. Mensis | vero Februarij . die V. |

Imprint as above, Oxford, 1519: sm. 4^o: pp. [16], signn. A-B⁴: sign. B 1^r beg. ¶ Februarius. Contents:—A 1^r, title, and woodcut: A 1^v-B 4^r, the Compotus: B 4^v, University arms and colophon.

A system of arithmetic illustrated by wood engravings of the open hand, values being attached to each part. Panzer after Maittaire mentions a Paris ed. of 1498 “cum commento.”

Fictitious Or Lost Oxford Books.
1459–1584.

1459.

A small sheet of paper printed on the ice-bound Thames at London 18 Jan. 1716 ascribes to Oxford the first printing in England, in the year 1459. Most of the information on the sheet is derived from Atkyns’s Original and Growth of Printing (Lond. 1664).

1461.

Printing was “practised in Oxford in 1461,” according to Randle Holmes’s Academy of Armory (Chester, 1688), quoted in Bigmore, i. 337.

1469–70.

In Herbert’s Ames, iii. 1393 we read:—“In the late Tho. Osborne’s catalogue of books for sale in June 1756, No. 1345 ‘Plinii Secundi Epistolarum, Liber primus. Exemplar elegans, literis initial. colorat. corio turcico, fol. deaur. lineis rubris & auro elegans ornat. 15l. 15s. Oxon. apud F. Corsellis. 1469.’ To which is added this note, ‘Hocce unicum est exemplar notum, a variis allegatum, et vix uni visum adeo ut Phoenix librorum dici mereratur [sic], certe primus est ex libris a Corcellis impressis, cui nomen suum adjunxerit, secundus vero ordine omnium quos unquam ille impressit, priorem scilicet scimus fuisse, Jeronymi Expositionem in Symbol. Apostol. Oxoniae 1468. Anno 1470, varia idem typographus impressit Opuscula, addito in fine nomine, sed nec unicum eorum reperitur hodie integrum. Possident quidam amatores fragmenta aliqua poematum Latinorum, ut Gerardi Lystrii Rhenensis, &c. Carmen Listrii lividorum hominum venenosas linguas, &c.’ This raised the curiosity of the book collectors, who considered this article as a confirmation of what R. Atkins had asserted about printing at Oxford. They all flocked to Osborne’s shop, who instead of the book, produced a letter from a man at Amsterdam, filled with frivolous excuses for not sending them to him. They were disappointed, and looked on the whole as a Hvm; however the Plinii Epistolæ, and Ger. Listrii Oratio, &c. afterwards appeared at an auction at Amsterdam, and were bought for the late Dr. Ant. Askew; and were sold again at an auction of his books, by Baker and Leigh, in Feb. 1775. Lot 2064, and 2622, to which articles are annexed, viz. to Lot 2064, ‘Ad finem hæc verba, Impr. Oxon. apud F. Corsellis, 1470, Manu recentiore exarata sunt.’ Also to lot 2622, ‘Hæc verba, Imprim. Oxon. ap. Corsellis, 1469, Manu recentiore exarata sunt.’ To those who are at all conversant in early printing, the dates will appear at first sight a bungling forgery.” So far Herbert’s Ames, cf. Bowyer and Nichols’s Origin of Printing, 2nd ed. (Lond. 1776), p. 171. The full entry of art. 2064 is “Listrii (Ger.) Oratio habita in Enarrationem Dionysii Halicarnassii; Dionysii Orbis expositio e Greco tralata Prisciano interprete; Ejusdem Carmen in venenosas Linguas Hominum, & Epicedium doctissimi Adoloscentis Ingenisissimique Petri Thessaliensis”: sold to Mr. Dent for £2 3s.: art. 2622 has 1569 for 1469, and was sold to Capt. Smith for £1 6s.

In the Auction Catalogue of the Library of Dr. Abr. de Vries of Haarlem (Amsterdam, Frederick Muller, 1864) art. 181 was:—“Corcellis.—Collection de lettres, copies authentiques, déclarations et notices en 1756 et 57 sur l’imposture fameuse du falsaire G. Smith, à Amsterdam et la Haye, qui fabriqua une édition de Plinii epistolae, avec souscription: Oxoniae, Corcellis. 1469. Hedwigii liber 16. ibidem. 1470, etc. et trompa Mr. P. v. Damme et autres en Angleterre.—Recueillie et conservée pour prouver son innocence à la falsification et annotée par Mr. v. Damme. 12 pc. MS. Collection très-curieuse, contenant e. a. 7 lettres de Smith à v. Damme, une lettre forgée ou falsifié du Comte de Pembroke, une lettre de P. Burman Sec., copie d’une déclaration de Meerman, etc. etc.” It is to be hoped that this interesting collection will be brought to light again.

In the Monthly Miscellany, or Memoirs for the Curious (June 1708), p. 177 it is stated that in the Bishop of Ely’s Library (now at Cambridge) are books “of the first printing in England at Oxford in 1469.”

1480.

“Guido de Columnia de historia Trojana, per T. R. (Theodore Rood). Quarto. 1480.” So Herbert’s Ames, p. 1393. The source of the error was discovered by Cotton to be a forgery in a copy of Guido sine anno et loco preserved in the Earl of Pembroke’s Library at Wilton (Typ. Gaz., 1st ser., 2nd ed., p. 209.)

Before 1487.

“Books from the Oxford Press.... 208*. The Chronicles of England. Folio. Lent by the Earl of Jersey.” So in the Catalogue of the Caxton Celebration, 1877, p. 28. Some error. The reference is no doubt to Caxton’s Chronicle of England, printed in 1482.

1489.

When Cotton printed his Typographical Gazetteer, 2nd series, (Oxf. 1866) he believed that an Indulgence of 1489 (altered to 1499), in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, was printed at Oxford. It is “a small broadside on vellum, consisting of 24 lines only, printed very closely and occupying a space of about nine inches by six.” The Indulgence is from Johannes de Gigliis alias de Liliis Apostolicus Subdiaconus, granted by Pope Innocent iii: and is dated 1499, there being no name of place or date of printing. There is no doubt that Cotton was mistaken in attributing this piece to the Oxford press.

1498.

1. Bagford, in his inaccurate way, gives the title of an edition of the Greek text of the Ethics of Aristotle by Aretinus “Oxon. 1498” (Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 5901, fol. 3). He mentions the 1479 edition of the Latin text separately, but the former date can only be due to some confusion with the latter.

2. The Rufinus of 1468 appears as dated 1498 in Panzer, who quotes Schoenemann i. 585, and also in Migne’s Patrologia Latina, xxi. col. 17.

1499.

Indulgence: see 1489.

1500.

1. Buridanus: see next article.

2. “Gualtheri Burley Tractatus de materia et forma ac de relativis. Oxonii 1500. 4.” So in Panzer ii (1794) p. 244, quoting Maittaire p. 739, ex Bibl. Bodl. p. 117 (an allusion to an error in the Bodleian Catalogue of 1674, repeated in the 1738 Catalogue p. 206). Bagford makes the same mistake, twisting the author’s name into Johannes Buridanus (Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 5901, fol. 3). Even Hain (no. 4142) has copied from Panzer. The colophon of 1518. B shows how the error arose, as Cotton points out (Typ. Gaz., 1st ser., 2nd ed., p. 209).

3, 4. Bagford is responsible for two more fictitious Oxford books of 1500. a Quaestiones de lumine et luce (Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 5901, fol. 3, Bodl. MS. Rawl. D. 375, fol. 103: a confusion with 1518. L) and a Whitinton de heteroclytis nominibus printed at Oxford by Peter Treveris (!) (Bodl. MS. Rawl. D. 375, fol. 103: see 1518. W).

1506.

The following book though not printed at Oxford supplies information about an Oxford bookseller:—[sign. a 1^r:—] “Principia seu introduc-tiones fratris peregrini ytalici de lugo in via doctoris subtilis: adipisci eiusdem doctoris doctrinam cupientibus. [at foot:—] Uenundantur autem in alma ac florentissima vniuersitate Oxoniense. in intacte virginis ac immaculate / vico: sancti iohannis euangeliste / ad intersignium. [Then follow 4 tractatus: then on sign. g 4^r:—] Expliciunt principia seu introductiones (pro iuuenibus) fratris peregrini de lugo ... Impressa autem Londini. per Richardum pynson. cum solerti cura ac diligentia Honestissimi Iuuenis ac prudentissimi Hugonis Meslier. Expensis autem georgii castellani / oxonii morantis / ad intersignium sancti Iohannis euangeliste: in quo venundatur opus hoc. Finis....” Then follows a 5th treatise, ending with a letter from Peregrinus de Lugo dated “Tholose quarto Kalendas Februarij . M . ccccc . vj.” Herbert’s Ames (iii. 1396) refers this book to Oxford, although at i. 252 it is referred rightly to Pynson’s press at London.

1510.

References to a Compendium quaestiuncularum de luce et lumine, Oxford 1510, will be found in Bagford (Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 5901, fol. 22^v, Bodl. MS. Rawl. D. 375, p. 104), no doubt from the Catalogus librorum MSS^rum Angliæ et Hiberniæ (Oxf. 1697, fol.), tom. 2, p. 280, col. 1, among the printed books of John Moore bp. of Norwich. An error for 1518.

1511.

The 1481 Alexander de Hales appears in Bagford (Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 5901, fol. 23, Bodl. MS. Rawl. D. 375, p. 104) as of 1511, printed at Oxford.

1512.

“Walterus Burleius, super libros Posteriorum. 1512. 4^o.” So in Cotton’s Typ. Gaz., 2nd ser., p. 169, and in a longer form in Herbert’s Ames iii. 1396, and Panzer vii. p. 494, quoting Brüggemann i. 172. The source of the mistake is easily found in the colophon of 1517. B, a “v” having been overlooked. The error is repeated in the Bookworm (1868) p. 126.

Before 1519.

According to Cotton (Typ. Gaz., 2nd ser., p. 169) an edition of “Jo. Duns Scotus, Scriptum Oxoniense super primum Sententiarum” (Paris 1519) professes to be “impressa juxta editionem Oxoniensem.” This cannot be correct, unless editio refers only to some traditional method of exposition or arrangement at Oxford.

About 1519.

“The following book printed at the charge of Cardinal Wolsey, with the King’s arms on one side, and the cardinal’s on the other; though it has neither date nor printer’s name, was probably performed about this time [1519] at this place [Oxford].” ‘Libellus prim. epistol. M. Tullii Cicer. Decus Oxoniensium, finitum universitate Oxoniensi. Quarto.’ So in Herbert’s Ames, iii. 1398, and substantially in Bagford’s account (Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 5901, fol. 24^v, Bodl. MS. Rawl. D. 375, fol. 103): see Cotton’s Typ. Gaz., 2nd ser., p. 169. Clearly a blunder. The book which is said to be at Trinity College, Dublin, could not be found there in 1885.

1519.

“Roberti Whitintoni Lichfeldiensis Protovatis Angliæ in Florentissimâ Oxoniensi Academiâ Laureati, Opusculum de Concinnitate Grammatices & Constructione recognitum Anno Domini xix supra Sesquimillesimum, in 4to.” So Bagford (Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 5901, fol. 23^v, cf. Bodl. MS. Rawl. D. 375, p. 103). Probably not printed at Oxford.

Before 1520.

John Dorne, bookseller in Oxford, sold in 1520 several copies of a small book described in his day-book as “Bene fundatum,” “Bene fundatum Oxonie” or “Bene fundatum uosgraf.” This seems to be a trace of a real Oxford book now lost, but no such printer as Vosgraf or Foxgrave (Dorne was from the Low Countries) is known. It would probably belong to the 1517–19 press. See Dorne’s book edited in the Collectanea vol. i of the Oxford Historical Society, 1885. Cotton erroneously reads the title as “Bene sum datum.”

1542.

Shepery’s Hippolytus: see under 1586. S.

1549.

“P. Martyr de Sacramento Eucharistiæ, disputatio hab. in acad., 1549,” 4^o. So in the Catalogus librorum R. Davisii, pt. 4 (1692), p. 7, cf. p. 10. Some error.

1564.

“Analysis libri Aristotelis de Sophisticis Elenchis, opera et studio Griff. Poweli.” So in the Catalogus librorum R. Davisii, pt. 2 (1686), p. 72. Error for 1594, which see.

1565.

“Ιωαννοῦ τοῦ Χρυσοστομου Ομιλιαι. Oxonii 1565 in forma minore.” So in the Bibliotheca Gudiana (Hamb. 1706), p. 75: thence in Brüggemann, p. 422. An error for 1586, which see.

1569.

1. Guild’s Throne of David or an Exposition of the 2nd of Samuel. Error in the Catalogus librorum R. Davisii, pt. 1 (1686), p. 164, for 1659, which see.

2. “1569. An account of the Lithuanian translation of the Bible is in the Brit. Museum. Quarto.” So Herbert’s Ames, iii. p. 1398. For 1659, which see under Chylinski, Samuel B.

1576.

Fabricius, J. S.: “Meditationes Sacræ de unitate Ecclesiæ Britannicæ. 1576,” 8vo. So twice in the Catalogus librorum R. Davisii, pt. 2 (1686) p. 20, pt. 3 (1688) p. 11. For 1676, which see.

1578.

“Thesaurus œconomiæ ... Johanne Caso Authore. 1597 ... Again 1578.” So Herbert’s Ames, iii. 1407. Perhaps for 1598, which see, but even that is perhaps an error for 1597!

1584.

Shepery’s Hippolytus: see under 1586. S.

The Oxford University Press.

1585.

1. Bilson, Thomas. THE TRVE DIFFE-|RENCE BETWEENE CHRI-|STIAN SUBIECTION AND | VNCHRISTIAN REBELLION: | WHEREIN THE PRINCES LAWFULL | power to commaund for trueth, and indepriuable | right to beare the sword are defended against the | Popes censures and the Iesuits sophismes vt-|tered in their Apologie and DE-|FENCE OF ENGLISH | CATHOLIKES: | With a demonstration that the thinges refourmed in the Church of England by the | Lawes of this Realme are truely Catholike, notwithstanding the vaine shew | made to the contrary in their late Rhemish Testament: by | Thomas Bilson Warden of Winchester. | Perused and allowed by publike authoritie. | [Device: then two mottos].

Impr. 2: 1585 (CIↃIↃXXCV): (eights) sm. 4^o: pp. [24] + 820 + [10]: p. 11 beg. wee bee farre, p. 111 be not Judges: chiefly Pica English. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–12) Epistle dedicatorie to queen Elizabeth: (13) “the generall contents of euerie part”: (14–22) “To the Christian Reader”: 1–820 the work, in 4 parts: (1–9) “the speciall contents of euery part”: (9) “Faultes escaped”, i.e. errata.

For the author &c. see Wood’s Ath. Oxon. ii. 169: where it is pointed out that the book has a curious history. Its ostensible purpose is to uphold the doctrine afterwards called “passive obedience” by refuting two books which were regarded as subversive of the Queen’s temporal power, (1) An apologie and true declaration of the institution ... of the tvvo English colleges ... in Rome ... (and) in Rhemes, 1581 (ascribed to card. Will. Allen), (2) A true, sincere and modest defence of English catholiques that suffer for their faith, n. d. (asserted by Antony à Wood to be also by card. Allen). But Wood declares that the Queen “conceiving it convenient for her worldly designs to take on her the protection of the Low-Countries against the King of Spain, did employ our author ... to write the said book” to justify the Netherland revolt. And certain it is that in consequence of the temperance and fairness with which Bp. Bilson treats his subject, the parliamentary party in Charles I’s time used this book to oppose “passive obedience.”

Probably issued about the end of November, 1585. Greek type is used on p. 263 and perhaps elsewhere. Another ed. appeared at London in 1586: an extract from pp. 520–21 was reprinted in 1641 and again in Somers’s Tracts, 2nd ed., iv. 29 (Lond. 1810).

2. Case, John. [Ornament] SPECVLVM MORALIVM | QVAESTIONVM IN VNIVERSAM ETHICEN | Aristotelis, Authore Magistro Iohanne Caso | Oxoniensi, olim Collegij Diui Io-|hannis Præcursoris | Socio. | [then the University Arms: then a motto from Seneca].

Impr. 1, so also colophon: 1585: (eights) sm. 4^o: pp. [28] + 401 + [19]: p. 11 beg. Opp. Iuuenes, p. 111, Distinctio: chiefly Pica Roman. Contents:—p. (1) Title: (3–7) Epistola nuncupatoria to Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, chancellor of the University, signed “Iohannes Casus”: (8–10) “Ad studiosos iuuenes vtriusque academiae”: (10) “Prosopopœia Libri Ad Lectorem”: (11) “Honoratissimo suo domino et patrono Comiti Leicestrensi &c. Iosephus Barnesius Typographus Oxonie nsis”: (12–23) Complimentary Latin verses to the author: between (24) and (25), “Tabula virtutum et vitiorum omnium”, a folio leaf printed on one side only: (25–28) Præfatio: 1–401 the work in 6 books: (1–2) “Peroratio ad lectorem”: (4–17) Index: (17) Errata and colophon.

The first book printed at the new Oxford press. The allusions to this and kindred facts are (1) in the “Epistola Nuncupatoria.” Case says of the reasons for dedicating the work to the Earl of Leicester “Unum est nouum hoc præli beneficium, quod te authore nostra Academia nuper recepit ... Prælum hoc nouum (cuius author existis) hunc nouum de moribus libellum pressit. Ne ergo author libelli præli authori videatur ingratus, tibi primùm eiusdem fructum ex animo propinauit ...” (2) the printer himself writes “Admirabilem hanc artem typographicam (Mecęnas amplissime) primum Iohannes Faustus Moguntiæ fauste genuit [the marg. supplies “Anno 1450”], eandem Guilielmus Caxtonus ciuis Londinensis probè aluit & perpoliuit: Laus summa debetur authori qui invenit, laus magna debetur mercatori qui primùm ad nos transuexit ... Londinum diù in hac arte floruit, & non inuideo: Cantabrigia eandem nunc didicit, Oxonia recepit, & certè gaudeo. Nam si characteres typographi sint vera insignia & arma Mineruæ; vbi terrarum potius floreret hæc nobilis scientia, quàm vbi vera publicè docetur sapientia? vt enim à fonte in riuum dulcis aqua, ita hîc quidem à mente in prælum dulcissima Musa fluet. Non nugæ, non aniles fabulæ, non Aristarchi dentata opera hîc excudentur: ea solùm ex his prælis in lucem venient quȩ sapientum calculis approbentur, & Sybillȩ foliis sint veriora. Hoc vnum nunc restat (vir inclytissime) vt hunc librum opus alterius ingenij & pignus laboris mei tuo honori offeram ... Vt ergo Thomas Thomasius collega meus [Cantabrigiensis] suo, ita ego Iosephus Barnesius tibi (vir summe) meo patrono dominoque gratulor: nos ambo & publico pro multis, & priuato nomine pro magnis in nos meritis vobis vtriusque Academiæ patronis deuincti sumus, gratias immortales vterque agimus, maiores in posterum pollicemur”: (3) the Vice-chancellor, J. Underhill, writes “Non dedit hoc seclo prælum Oxoniense priorem [librum] | Doctrinâque dabunt secula nulla parem.” (4) Laurence Humfrey says “Hoc Speculum vobis nunc Oxoniensis alumnus | Porrigit, en præli dat quoque primitias.”

It is clear that neither the Vice-chancellor nor the printer of this volume had any suspicion that there had been printing in Oxford previous to the publication of the present volume, unless “recepit” be a vague allusion to it.

The work is a companion one to the same author’s Summa veterum interpretum in universam dialecticam Aristotelis, Lond., Tho. Vautrollerius, 1584, see 1592. C, 1598. C: and there is even a typographical connexion between the two.

For an account of the author, see Wood’s Ath. Oxon., i. 685. The method adopted by Case is by quaestiones, oppositiones and responsiones in the manner of the disputations in the schools at the time. Other editions were issued at Oxford in 1596, and at Frankfurt in 1589, 1610 and 1625. See 1596. C.

3. Corro, Antonio de. Sermons on Ecclesiastes: see 1586. E.

4. Dudley, Robert, earl of Leicester. [ornament] IN | ADVENTVM ILLVSTRIS-|SIMI LECESTRENSIS COMITIS AD | Collegium Lincolniense. |

Impr. 3: “tertio idus Ianuarij” 1585: (one) 8^o: pp. [2]: chiefly Pica Roman. Contents:—p. (1) title as above: large device of University arms: then “Carmen gratulatorium” of 8 elegiac lines, beg. “Comiter hoc factum est”: then imprint.

Very rare. The visit appears from Wood’s Annals ii. 223 to have been in Jan. 1584/5, and the date of printing 11 Jan. 1584
5. The difficulties in the way of regarding this sheet as the first printing of the new Oxford Press are the form of the date, which usually implies Jan. 1585
6, the assertion of Barnes that the Case was the first production, and the improbability that the Committee of Convocation appointed to consider “de libris imprimendis” on 23 Dec. 1584 would proceed to action so soon as 11 Jan. 1584/5. But the fitness of the earlier date is too obvious to be gainsaid. This piece is probably the first printed sheet issued by Barnes.

5. Parsons, Robert. A | BOOKE OF | CHRISTIAN EX-|ERCISE APPERTAI-|ning to Resolvti-|ON, that is, shewing | how that we should re-|solue our selues to be-|come Christians in-|deede. By R. P. | Perused, and accompanied | nowe with a treatise ten-|ding to pacificati-|on, By | EDMVND BVNNY. [Then a motto from Hebr. xiii. 8: the whole title and imprint is within a border of ornament.]

Impr. 2a (colophon 4): 1585: sm. 12^o: pp. [28] + 494 + [2] + 140: p. 11 beg. ons, or if, 111 confidence, 2nd p. 11 helpes whatsoeuer, 111 hel should: chiefly Long Primer Roman. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–8) Bunny’s Epistle dedicatorie to Edwin Sandys, archbp. of York (9–18) Bunny’s “Preface to the reader”: (19–28) “The contentes of ... this booke”: 1–493 [misprinted 439], the work, in 2 parts: (1) title of Bunny’s treatise: 1–140, the treatise: before p. 1 of the treatise is an oblong sheet 5 × 11 in., folded, containing on one side in two divisions “A table ... of the treatise following”: on p. 140 is also a colophon.

Of this book also there is a curious history. Gaspare Loarte, a Spanish Jesuit who spent most of his life at Rome, wrote an “Essercitio della vita christiana” some time before 1569. In 1570, J. Sancer, a friend of Robert Parsons the Jesuit, published a translation into English of one of the three parts of the work. In 1582 Parsons himself published “The firste booke of the Christian Exercise, appertayning to resolution” in two parts, which is practically a new work based on part of the original “Essercitio.” Loarte is mentioned in the preface, but the author only signs his name by the initials, R. P. This was again issued without Parsons’ knowledge in 1584.

In 1585 (or according to Wood and Ames, copied by Herbert and Dibdin, in 1584) Edmund Bunny printed and published the first edition of an adaptation of Parsons’ book fitted for Protestant readers “at London, by N. Newton, for Iohn Wight,” 8^o. The dedication is to the archbp. of York and the preface dated 9 July 1584 at Bolton-Percy. The book was entered at Stationers’ Hall on 28 Aug. 1584. The Oxford edition before us is a reprint of this London edition with no intentional variation, except the omission of the arms of the archbishop of York on the verso of the title of the London issue. Some of the woodcut ornaments and capitals of the two issues are identical.

In “1585, Aug. 30” Parsons again put out his book in a revised and largely augmented form with a new title “A Christian Directorie” which when complete was to consist of three books, the first of which, treating of Resolution, is alone contained in this edition. The preface contains a criticism of the London issue of Bunny’s adaptation, which provoked “A briefe answer vnto those idle and friuolous quarrels of R. P. against the late edition of the Resolution: By Edmund Bunny.” Lond., 1589, 8^o.

Other editions of Bunny’s adaptation of Parsons’ “Christian exercise” are 1586 (Lond., “by I. Iackson and Ed. Bollifant for John Wight,” 12^o; in Herbert’s possession), 1589 (Lond., 12^o: Bohn), 1594 (Lond., 24^o: Bohn), 1609 (Lond., 12^o: Bohn), 1615 (Lond., 12^o). See also next art. Parsons’ own work was several times reprinted: and in 1591 appeared an edition of his “Christian Directorie,” anonymously adapted, as the former work, for the use of Protestants, and with the deceptive title “The second part of the booke of Christian Exercise, appertayning to Resolution, or a Christian directorie ... written by the former authour R. P.” (Lond., 12^o). This was several times reprinted, as in 1592, 1594, 1598, 1615. See also Wood’s Ath. Oxon., ii. 221: and the next art.

6. Parsons, Robert. A | BOOKE OF | CHRISTIAN EX-|ERCISE APPERTAI-|NING TO Resolvtion, | that is, shewing how that | wee shoulde resolue our|selues to become Christi-|ans indeede, By R. P. | Perused, and accompanied now | with a treatise tending to | Pacification, By | EDMVND BVNNY. | [motto. The whole title is within a border.]

Impr. 2a (colophon 4): 1585: sm. 12^o: pp. [30] + 492 + [2] + 140: p. 11 beg. what man, 111 Gospell, which: also p. 11 nounce all, 111 it they should: chiefly Long Primer Roman. Contents:—as preceding article, without the folded “Table” to Bunny’s treatise, viz.:—p. (1) title: (3–9) epistle: (10–19) preface: (20–29) contents: 1–491, the treatise: (1) title: 1–140 Bunny’s treatise, with colophon.

This volume is apparently identical in text (not spelling or punctuation) with the preceding art., but is entirely reset: from p. 252 of this edition (= 254 of the other) the two correspond page for page in Parsons’ treatise.

7. Prime, John. A SERMON BRIEF-|LY COMPARING THE E-|STATE OF KING SALOMON AND | his Subiectes togither with the condi-|tion of Queene Elizabeth | and her people. | PREACHED IN SAINCT MA-|ries in Oxford the 17. of Nouember, and | now printed with some small alteration, | by Iohn Prime, | 1585. | [ornament.]

Impr. 4: 1585: sm. 8^o: pp. [32], signn. A-B⁸: sign. B 1^r beg. passion, that: chiefly Pica English. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–5) Epistle “to the Christian reader”: (6–30), the sermon, on 1 Kings x. 9: (31–32) “A praier in consideration of the former respects.”

See Wood’s Ath. Oxon., i. 653. The Epistle is dated 27 Nov. 1585, and alludes to Bilson’s book as “euen now comming foorth.”

8. Shepery, John. See 1586. S.

9. Sparke, Thomas. “‘A Sermon preached at Cheanies the 14. of September, 1585, at the burial of the right Honorable the Earle of Bedford, by Thomas Sparke Doctor of Diuinitie.’ The university’s arms. ‘Imprinted at Oxford by him Printer to that famous Vniuersitie.’ My copy is cut so close at bottom that it is uncertain whether there was any date added. Dedicated ‘To—Arthur Lord Gray of Wilton, Knight of—the Garter.—At Bletchley the 25 of September, 1585.—Thomas Sparke.’ The text, ‘Apocal. 14. 13. I heard a voice from heauen’ &c. At the end of the sermon ‘September 22. An. Do. 1585,’ Besides; 110 pages, W. H. 16^o.”

The above is the account of the book in Herbert’s Ames, iii. 1399, in the account of Joseph Barnes’s press at Oxford in 1585. The copy sold in the Heber sale, 9 April 1835, Catal. pt. vi, p. 248, art. 3559 for 8s. was probably Herbert’s. Ames in his Typographical Antiquities (Lond. 1749) gives a shorter title and describes the book as a quarto. Other edd. are Lond. 1585, in eights (pp. [10] + 106), and Oxf. 1594 (with 25 December at end of dedication, pp. [10] + 110): but both are different from the present book, if Herbert’s description may be trusted.

1586.

1. Case, John. “‘Reflexus speculi moralis, seu commentarius in magna moralia Aristotelis. Authore Johanne Caso.’ Again 1596. Octavo.”

The above is from Herbert’s Ames, iii. 1401, slightly altered from Ames, p. 453: but both are probably errors for 1596: see 1596. C.

2. Catilinariae proditiones. “‘In Catilinarias proditiones, ac proditores domesticos, Odæ 6.’ The university arms. ‘Oxoniæ, ex Officina Typographica Josephi Barnesii, & veneunt in cœmeterio Paulino sub signo capitis Tygurini. Anno 1586.’ On the back, in a lozenge form, ‘Odæ sex ornatissimis viris D. Doctori Jameso Ædis Christi Oxon. decano, et doctori Hetono prodecano, cæterisque clarissimis atque optimis viris eiusdem ecclesiæ præbendariis, & privatæ observantiæ, et publicæ pietatis ergô dicatæ.’ 8 leaves, the first has only signature A. Brit. Museum. Octavo.”

The above is from Herbert’s Ames, iii. p. 1401. In May 1886 the officials of the British Museum were unable to find the book. A copy was sold at the Bliss sale in 1858 (Catal. pt. 2, art. 7) to Stenson a bookseller for £4 4s.

3. Chardon, John. A SERMON | VPON PART OF | THE NINTH CHAPTER | OF THE HOLY GOSPEL | OF IESVS CHRIST | ACCORDING TO | S. IOHN: | Preached at S. Maries in | Oxford by Iohn Chardon | Doctor of Diuinitie. | [motto.]

Impr. 2b: 1586: (eights) 16^o: pp. [48], signn. A-C⁸: sign. B 1^r beg. streight waie: chiefly Pica English. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–10) Epistle dedicatory to Ambrose earl of Warwick, Oxf. 6 Oct. 1586: (11–44) the sermon, on John ix. 1–3: (45–47) “The prayer.”

See Wood’s Ath. Oxon., i. 716.

4. Chardon, bp. John. “‘A comfortable sermon for all such as thirst and desire to be ioined with their head Jesus Christ, &c. Preached at the funerals of Syr Gawen Carewe, very worshipfully buried in the Cathedral Church of Exeter, 22d April, 1584, By John Charden bachelor of Divinity.’ The text, 1 Thes. 4; 13–18. Octavo.”

So in Herbert’s Ames, iii. 1400: see Wood’s Ath. Oxon., i. 716, Maunsell i. 97.

5. Chrysostom, St. D. IOANNIS CHRY-|SOSTOMI ARCHIE-|PISCOPI CONSTANTI-|NOPOLITANI, Homiliæ sex, | Ex manuscriptis Codicibus Noui Collegij; | Ioannis Harmari, eiusdem Col-|legij socij, & Græcarum literarum in | inclyta Oxoniensi Academia | Professoris Regij, opera & | industria nunc primùm | græcè in lucem | editæ. | [device.]

Impr. 5: 1586 (CIↃIↃXXCVI): (eights) 16^o: pp. [12] + 138: p. 11 beg. σίον ἀυτοῦ, 111 πάντες συμφωνοῦσιν: chiefly Long Primer Greek. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–12) Epistola dedicatoria to sir Thomas Bromley, lord chancellor of England, Oxf. 28 Dec. [1585]: 1–138, the six Homilies, in Greek.

“Primitiæ typographici nostri in græcis literis preli,” as the dedication says. The first Greek book printed in England was also a Chrysostom (Two Homilies, Lond., Reg. Wolfe, 1543), but separate Greek words occur in the first book printed at Cambridge (Cujusdam ... Christiani Epistola, 1521), and single words cut in wood still earlier. The six homilies are 1. Κατὰ τῶν παρατηρούντων τὰς νεομηνίας (Migne, Patrol. Gr., Chrysost., i. 953.) 2–5. Εἰς τὸν Λάζαρον, αʹ, βʹ, γʹ, δʹ (ibid. 963, 981, 991, 1005). 6. Εἰς τὸ Περὶ δὲ τῶν κεκοιμημένων (ibid. 1017). See p. 12 (1565), Wood’s Ath. Oxon., ii. 138.

An imperfect book, (signn. A 2-D 7), containing Isocrates Πρὸς Δημόνικον, Πρὸς Νικοκλέα, Νικόκλης ἢ συμβουλευτικὸς λόγος τρίτος, Plutarch Περὶ παιδῶν ἀγωγῆς and “Luciani Cupido,” all in Greek, once owned by Thomas Hearne and now in the Bodleian Library, is in similar type to this Chrysostom and is accordingly assigned by Hearne to Barnes’s Press. But minute inspection shows that some of the woodcuts of the book are not identical with any used at Oxford. It is probably London printing (not Bynneman 1581 nor 1621: perhaps Bishop 1599: see Brüggemann, p. 128.)

6. Ecclesiastes. SOLOMONS SERMON: | OF MANS CHIEF | FELICITIE: CALLED | IN HEBREW KOHELETH, | IN GREEKE AND LATIN | ECCLESIASTES. | With a learned, godly, and familiar pa-|raphrase vppon the same: gathe-|red out of the Lectures of A. | C. & now englished for | the benefit of the | vnlearned. | [motto & device.]

Impr. 4: 1586: (eights) 16^o: pp. [16] + 219 + [1]: p. 11 beg. that is brought, 111 and this meditation: Pica Roman. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–7) Epistle dedicatorie to the “lady Marie Dudley,” Oxford, 8 Mar. 1586, signed “T. P.”: (8–16) “To the Christian reader ...” with the writer’s name, Th. Pie: 1–219, the paraphrase, the text of Ecclesiastes occurring in the margin.

This book is a translation into English of “Sapientissimi regis Salomonis concio de summo hominis bono quam ... Latini Ecclesiasten vocant, in Latinam linguam ab Antonio Corrano ... versa et ex eiusdem prælectionibus paraphrasi illustrata: accesserunt & notæ quædam” (Lond., 1579) with the omission of the notes. For Ant. de Corro see Wood’s Ath. Oxon., i. 578: and for Thomas Pye, ibid. ii. 59. Wood was not acquainted with this earliest work of Pye, but alludes to the book (as above, i. 581) as Corro’s “Sermons on Ecclesiastes. Abridged by Thomas Pitt. Oxon 1585, oct., which is called by some Pitt’s Paraphrase on Ecclesiastes”! The name Pitt, but not the error of date, may be taken from Maunsell, who three times (i. 38, 81, 104) alludes to the book as by Tho. Pitt. Pye in his Epistle states with respect to the original Latin edition, “which treatise, as it came first to the print, myselfe by occasion being charged with som ouerseeing of the presse, at the earnest request aswel of the author himself, as of other many, I translated into English: being the rather a greate deale moued thereunto, because there was no comment or like exposition then extant in our vulgar tongue vpon this part of Scripture.” This latter statement is not strictly true, since “An exposition of Salomon’s booke called Ecclesiastes” was printed in London in 1573. In 1585 Serranus’s commentary translated into English by T. Wilcocke was printed in London.

7. Hutchins, Edward. A SERMON | PREACHED IN S. | PETERS CHURCH AT | WEST-CHESTER THE XXV | OF SEPTEMBER, 1586. | CONTAINING MATTER | FIT FOR THE TIME: | By Edward Hutchins Maister | of Arts, and Fellowe of Bra-|zennose College. |

Impr. 6: (1586): (eights) 16^o: pp. [32]: sign. B 2^r beg. the fould: chiefly Pica English. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–4) dedication to Roger Puleston: (5–30) the sermon, on Gal. 5. 12.

Rare. See Wood’s Ath. Oxon., ii. 453. The only copy seen, that in the British Museum, wants the last leaf, presumably blank.

8. Hutchins, Edward. A | SERMON PREA-|CHED IN WEST-|CHESTER THE VIII. | OF OCTOBER, 1586. | BEFORE THE IVD-|GES AND CERTAIN | RECVSANTES: | Wherein the conditions of al he-|retiques, but especiallie of stub-|born and peruerting Papists, | are discouered, & the duty | of al magistrats concer-|ning such persons, ap-|plied & opened | By Edward Hvtchins, Ma-|ster of Artes, & Fellowe of Bra-|SENNOSE Colledge. | ...

Impr. 6: (1586): (eights) 16^o: pp. [32], signn. A-B⁸: sign. B 2^r beg. are they: chiefly Pica English. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–4) dedication to Thomas Egerton: (5–32) the sermon, on Canticles ii. 15.

See Wood’s Ath. Oxon., ii. 452.

9. Massie, William. A | SERMON PREA-|CHED AT TRAFFORD | IN LANCASHIRE AT | THE MARIAGE OF A | DAVGHTER OF THE | right Worshipfull Sir Ed-|mond Trafforde | Knight, the 6. of Sep-|tember Anno, 1586. | By William Massie bacheler in di-|uinity, and fellow of Brasen-nose Col-|ledge in Oxforde. | [motto.]

Impr. 6: 1586: (eights) 16^o: pp. [32], signn. A-B⁸: sign. B 1^r beg. of body, sorrow: chiefly Pica English. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–4) dedication to sir E. Trafford: (5–32) the sermon, on Ps. cxxviii.

See Wood’s Fasti Oxon., i. 237. The marriage was between Margaret Trafford and Sir Urian Legh, kt., of Adlington, a member of the same College as the preacher.

10. Music. THE PRAISE | OF MVSICKE: | Wherein besides the antiquitie, | dignitie, delectation, & vse there-|of in ciuill matters, is also decla-|red the sober and lawfull vse of the | same in the congregation and | Church of God. [device, then motto.]

Impr. 6: 1586: (eights) 16^o: pp. [8] + 152: p. 11 beg. Musicke of, 111 proper place: Pica English. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–4) dedication by the printer to “sir Walter Rawley”: (5–8) “The preface to the Reader”: 1–152, the work in 12 chapters, with the sub-title “The antiquitie and original of Musicke ...”

This work has been constantly attributed to John Case, the author of the Apologia Musices, Oxf. 1588, but the present writer believes that from internal evidence it cannot be regarded as his. See Appendix C, and Wood’s Ath. Oxon., i. 686. It was reprinted in the Choir and Musical Record 1864, by dr. Rimbault, who contributed an introduction.

11. Overton, John. IACOBS | TROVBLE-|SOME IOVR-|NEY TO BE-|THEL: Conteining a briefe ex-|position, or excellent | Treatise of the four first | verses of the 33. Chapter | of GENESIS: | Set foorth by Iohn Over-|TON, Maister of Arts. | [motto.]

Impr. 7: 1586: (eights) 16^o: pp. [8] + 75 + [5]: p. 11 beg. many wise: Pica English. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–7) Epistle dedicatory to William Brent, Welsborne, 1 Apr. 1586: (8) Gen. xxxiii. 1–3: 1–75, the treatise: (1–5) “A prayer against the enimies of the Church of Christ ...”

This book was the “first fruits” of the author’s study.

12. *†Philosophy. DE | PHILOSO-|PHIA, | PANATHENA-|ICAE DUAE: | IN COMITIIS OXONII HABITAE. | [woodcuts and motto. The whole title is within a border.]

N. pl.: n. d. (1586?): (eights) 12^o: pp. [32], signn. A-B⁸: sign. B 1^r beg. lem, Demosthenem: Pica Roman. Contents:—p. (1–2) unknown: (3) title: (5) three Quaestiones: (6–18) “Panathenaica prima, v. Id. Iulii 1585. habita”: (19–20) three Quaestiones: (20–31) “Panathenaica secunda, iii Id. Iulii 1586. habita.”

The Bodleian Catalogue suggests that these speeches are perhaps by Thomas Savile (see Wood’s Ath. Oxon., i. 591), brother of sir Henry Savile, both of Merton. There is no place of imprint, but probably it is Oxford printing. Wood did not know the book.

13. Rainolds, John. A SERMON | VPON PART | OF THE EIGH-|TEENTH PSALM: | Preached to the publik assem-|blie of Scholers in the Vniuer-|sitie of Oxford the last day | of August, 1586. by | Iohn Rainolds: | Vpon occasion of their meeting to giue | thankes to God for the late detection | and apprehension of Traitours, who | wickedlie conspired against the Queens Maiestie and the | state of the Realme. | [motto.]

Impr. 2: 1586: (eights) 16^o: pp. [40], signn. A-B⁸ C⁴: sign. B 1^r beg. But al this: Pica English. Contents:—sign. A 1^r “Aj.”: A 2^r, title: A 3^r-A 4^r, “Iohn Rainoldes, to the Reader,” Oxford, 24 Oct. 1586: A 4^v, Ps. xvii. 47–51: A 5^r-C 4^v, the sermon, on Ps. xviii. 47–51: C 4^v, Ps xxi. 7–9.

See Wood’s Ath. Oxon., ii. 15. Reprinted at Oxford in 1613. Occasioned by “Babington’s conspiracy”: there are several references to current events.

14. *Shepery, John. HYPPOLITVS OVIDIANÆ | PHAEDRAE RES-|PONDENS, PER IOAN-|NEM SCHEPREVVM SOMA-|TO CHRISTIANVM. | [device.]

Impr. 8: [1586]: (eights) 12^o: pp. [80], signn. *,A-D⁸: sign. B 1^r beg. Scilicet expectas: Pica Italic. Contents:—sign. *1^r, title: *2^r-*7^v, “Ioannis Schepreui præfatio, in epistolam Hyppoliti sui ad Phædram, ad M. Guadum dedicatam,” in Latin elegiacs: *8^r-*8^v, “Candido lectori Georgius Edrychus medicus S. P. D.,” a Latin preface: A 1^r-D 8^r, the poem.

See Wood’s Ath. Oxon., i. 135. This work is an imaginary reply of Hippolytus to the temptations of Phaedra, in Ovidian elegiacs. The author, John Shepery, of Corpus Christi College (“Somatochristianus”), tells us in the preface that it was composed as a return for kindness shown him by one Guadus (Wade ?, whom the editor describes as a chaplain to Henry viii), but delayed for some years. Shepery died in 1542, aged 32 years. George Etheridge (“Edrychus”) was a pupil of Shepery, fellow of Corpus, and a Roman Catholic.

The date is fixed at 1586 by two passages: Etheridge in his preface states that for about 53 years he had been a member of the University: he was admitted scholar of Corpus in Nov. 1534. Also Dr. Humphrey in his introduction to the Summa et synopsis (see below) alludes to the Hippolytus as “nuperrime impressum.” Wood places the date at about 1584, and the Bodleian catalogue of 1843 assigns the book to 1542, owing to the date of Shepery’s death, which happens to occur prominently at the end of Etheridge’s preface.

15. Shepery, John. SVMMA | ET SYNOPSIS | NOVI TESTAMEN-|TI DISTICHIS DV-|CENTIS SEXAGIN-|TA, QVAE TOTI-|DEM CAPITIBVS | RESPONDENT, | comprehensa: | Prior a IOANNE SCHEPREVO | Oxoniensi olim conscripta: Posterior ex Erasmi | Roterodami Editione decerpta: Tyrunculis & om-|nibus pietatis & Theologiæ candidatis non inutilis, à | Lavrentio Hvmfredo recognita, & iu-|uandæ memoriæ causâ, edita: | Cui præmissa est eiusdem | De Scholis & studijs Christianorum piè & metho-|dicè instituendis breuis Admonitio. | [motto by L. H.(umfrey).]

Impr. 5: 1586: (eights) 16^o: pp. [62], signn. A-B⁸ C⁹ (see below) D⁶: sign. B 1^r beg. disticha Ioannis: Pica Italic. Contents:—sign. A 1^r, title: A 2^r-A 8^r “Admonitio Laurentii Humfredi ad Studiosos”: A 8^v, “Librorum Novi Testamenti elenchus & ordo per Cor. Graphæ ...”: B 1^r-C 3^v “Disticha Ioannis Sheprevi ...”: verso of leaf after C 3-D 6^r, “Disticha ... in Editione Erasmi Roterodami inserta.”

The “Summa Ioannis Sheprevi” is a set of elegiac stanzas, each stanza describing the contents of a chapter in the New Testament, and beginning successively with the letters of the alphabet, written by John Shepery, of Corpus Christi College, Reader of the Hebrew Lecture from about 1537 to his death in 1542. The Summa is stated by Wood to have been first published at Strasburg in about 1556 by John Parkhurst bp. of Norwich, next in Lond. 1560 (Wood), and from Humfrey’s ed. in “Gemma Fabri,” Lond. 1598, and “Biblii (or Bibliorum) summula,” Lond. 1621, etc. The first distich is “A priscis oritur Christus, turbatur Ioseph, | Angelus hunc retinet, virgo beata parit.” MS. C. C. C. (Oxf.) 266 contains these verses.

The “Synopsis” is a similar set of elegiac stanzas, without the alphabetical succession of first letters, first inserted in the Latin editions of Erasmus’s New Testament, from that of 1542 on. The author appears to be unknown: the first distich is “Angelus in somnis iustum solatur Ioseph, | Prototoco Mariæ nomen Iesus erit.”

In the preface Dr. Humfrey states that his object in editing the book was to recall young students to the study of the text of the Bible, and that he had collated a MS. copy of the Summa with bp. Parkhurst’s edition, and had compared different editions of the Synopsis: he alludes also to the Hippolytus of Shepery as “nuperrime impressum.”

See Wood’s Ath. Oxon., i. 135, 560. Dr. Philip Bliss noted in his copy “Whoever wants to write a history of the Oxford press should first get together all the little vols printed by Jo. Barnes, of which this is one of the rarest.”

16. Spanish. REGLAS GRAM-|MATICALES PARA A|PRENDER LA LENGVA ESPA-|n̄ola y Francesa, confiriendo la | vna con la otra, segun el or-|den de las partes de la o-|ration Latinas. | * *
* | [woodcuts.]

Impr. 9*: 1586: 12^o in size.

Only known from a title-page in the British Museum (Bagford Collection, 463. h. 8, no. 456). Mentioned in Ames and Herbert’s Ames, but not in such terms as to prove that either editor had seen the book complete. For the reference to the British Museum and a transcript of the title I am indebted to Mr. E. G. Duff, of Wadham College, Oxford.

17. Westfaling, Herbert. “‘Articles Ecclesiasticall to be inquired of by the Church-wardens and the Sworne-men within the dioces of Hereford in the first visitation of the reuerend father in God, Harbart Bishop of the said dioces: this present yeare M . D . lxxxvi and the xxviii. yeare of the raigne of our most gracious soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth, &c. And so hereafter, till the next visitation, and from time to time to be presented.’ B, in fours: 70 articles. W. H. Quarto.”

So in Herbert’s Ames, iii. 1401.

1587.

1. [Bailey, Walter.] A briefe discours of certain Bathes ... neare vnto ... Newnam Regis, 1587.

Probably not printed at Oxford, but at London, though ascribed to the former place in the British Museum Catalogue.

2. Beza, Theodorus. MASTER BEZAES SER-|MONS VPON THE THREE | FIRST CHAPTERS OF THE | CANTICLE OF CANTICLES: | WHEREIN ARE HANDLED THE | CHIEFEST POINTS OF RELIGION | CONTROVERSED AND DEBATED BE-|TWEENE VS AND THE ADVERSA-|RIE AT THIS DAY, ESPECIALLY TOV-|CHING THE TRVE IESVS CHRIST AND | THE TRVE CHVRCH, AND THE CER-|TAINE & INFALLIBLE MARKS | BOTH OF THE ONE AND | OF THE OTHER. | TRANSLATED OVT OF FRENCH INTO | ENGLISH BY Iohn Harmar, HER HIGHNES | PROFESSOR IN THE GREEKE TOVNG | IN THE VNIVERSITIE OF OXFORD, | AND FELOWE OF THE NEWE | COLLEGE THERE. | [woodcut.]

Impr. 6a: 1587: (fours) 8^o: pp. [12] + 435 + [1]: p. 11 beg. and because no, 111 with all rigor: Pica Roman. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–6) epistle dedicatory to the earl of Leicester: (7–12) “The Argument of the xlv. Psalme, seruing for an Argument of ... the Canticle of Canticles ...”: 1–435, the sermons (thirty-one) on the Song of Solomon chapp. 1–3.

See Wood’s Ath. Oxon., ii. 138. The best account of this work will be extracts from the Epistle dedicatory. John Harmar the translator was in this year Proctor, Regius professor of Greek and Fellow of New College. He says, “I was requested, right honorable, by manie of my friends to emploie the time of this last vacation of mine from my publique readinges in the Vniuersitie, in the translating of Master Bezaes Sermons vpon the Canticle of Canticles, which I had a little before receaued from the Francfurt mart in French, into our vulgare and Mother tongue.” The patronage of Lord Dudley is acknowledged and details of the translator’s life are given, as that he attended Beza’s lectures and sermons at Geneva. The work translated was no doubt Beza’s “Sermons sur les trois premiers chapitres du Cantique des cantiques de Salomon,” Genève, Jehan le Preux, 1586, 8^o (Brunet).

3. Case, John. “‘Thesaurus oeconomiae, seu commentarius oeconomica Aristotelis. Authore Johanne Caso.’ Again 1598. Quarto.”

So Herbert’s Ames, iii. 1402, after Ames: but perhaps an error for 1597.

4. Legatus. DE LEGATO ET ABSOLV-|TO PRINCIPE PERDV-|ELLIONIS REO. | [device.]

Impr. 10: 1587: (eight) 12^o: pp. [16], sign. A⁸: p. (11) beg. su fortuito: Pica Italic. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–16) the treatise.

This anonymous treatise is a formal and precise legal argument on the question “Utrum legatus alicuius principis absoluti vel ipse princeps absolutus morte sit afficiendus, si in aliena republica, contra vitam principis vel salutem totius reipublicae, nefariam coniurationem fuerint machinati.” It was intended to support Queen Elizabeth in her resolution to execute Mary Queen of Scots, and seems to have been written after 4 Dec. 1586 (p. 13) and before the execution 8 Feb. 1587: but there is no clue to the author.

5. [Penry, John.] A TREATISE | CONTAINING | THE AEQVITY OF | AN HVMBLE SVPPLI-|CATION WHICH IS TO BE | EXHIBITED VNTO HIR | GRACIOVS MAIESTY AND | this high Court of Parliament | in the behalfe of the Countrey of | Wales, that some order may | be taken for the preaching of | the Gospell among those | people. | Wherein also is set downe as much of the | estate of our people as without offence | could be made known, to the end that | our case (if it please God) may be piti-|ed by them who are not of this assem-|bly, and so they also may be driuen to | labour on our behalfe. |

Impr. 6: 1587: (eights) 16^o: pp. 62 + [2]: p. 11 beg. The Necessity: Long Primer Roman. Contents:—p. 1, title: 3–10, “To al that mourn in Sion ...”: 11–62, the work: (1) “To the reader” explanation and erratum.

The author’s name nowhere occurs, but there can be but little doubt that the volume was written by John Penry of St. Alban hall, Oxford (B.A. 1586), who is conspicuous in the Marprelate controversy and who published An exhortation vnto the Gouernours and people of Wales, to labour earnestly to haue the preaching of the Gospell planted among them (n. pl. or d., and n. pl. 1588): and also A View of ... publike wants & disorders ... in the service of God ... within Wales, n. pl. 1588. The author says, p. 63, “Some rumor of the speedy dissolution of the Parliament enforced me from the 32 Pag. or there abouts (so much being already vnder the presse) to cut off more of the booke by two parts than is now in the whole.” Parliament sat in 1586 from 28 Oct. to 2 Dec. and not during 1587. At pp. 53–4 Penry alludes to the state of the Universities. Wood does not know of this work, and the best account of the author is in Cooper’s Athenæ Cantabr., ii. 154.

6. Prime, John. AN | EXPOSITION, | AND OBSERVATI-|ONS VPON SAINT | PAUL TO THE GALA-|THIANS, TOGETHER | with incident Qæstions de-|bated, and Motives re-|moued, by | IOHN PRIME. | [woodcut.]

Impr. 6: 1587: (eights) 16^o: pp. [8] + 317 + [3]: p. 11 beg. moment, 111 dangerous: Pica English. Contents:—p. (1) title: (3–7), dedication to John Pierce bishop of Salisbury, Oxford, 30 Jan. “1587”: 1–317, the work: (2–3) unknown.

See Wood’s Ath. Oxon., i. 653. Compiled from notes of fortnightly discourses at Abingdon.

7. Rainolds, John. IOHANNIS RAINOLDI | ORATIONES DUÆ: | Ex ijs quas habuit in Collegio | Corporis Christi, quum | linguam Graecam | profiteretur. | HABITÆ, QVVM STUDIA, DE | more per ferias intermissa, | repeterentur: | Prior, quæ duodecima, post vaca-|tionem Natalitiam; | Posterior, decima tertia, post va-|cationem Paschalem; | Anno 1576. | [woodcut.]

Impr. 5: 1587: (eights) 16^o: pp. [88]: p. 11 beg. ignorantiam: Pica Roman. Contents:—p. 1 “A”: 3, title: 5–8, “Iohannes Rainoldus Academicis Oxoniensibus S. P. D.,” with preface following, Oxf. 2 Feb.: 9–85, the two Orations.

These are general exhortations to study, selected out of twenty orations of the kind. They are reprinted in the various editions of Rainolds’s Orations. See Wood’s Ath. Oxon., ii. 15.

8. Sidney, sir Philip. EXEQVIÆ | ILLVSTRISSIMI | EQVITIS, D. PHILIP-|PI SIDNAEI, GRATISSI-|MAE MEMORIAE AC NO-|MINI IMPENSÆ. | [device: then motto.]

Impr. 5: 1587: sm. 4^o: pp. [96], signn. *, A-L⁴: sign. B 1^r beg. Et verò: Pica Roman and Italic. Contents:—sign. *1^r, title: *2^r-3^v, Epistola dedicatoria to the earl of Leicester, signed “Guilielmus Gagerus,” Oxf., 22 Oct. 1587: *4^v, Latin poem by Laurence Humfrey: A 1^r-L 4^v, the poems, in Latin: L 4^v, an erratum.

Sir Philip Sidney died at Arnheim 7 Oct. 1586. Dr. William James, dean of Christ Church, urged W. Gager to collect and edit poems which had been privately made at the time of Sidney’s death: the editor found it necessary from considerations of space to reject Hebrew, Greek, French and Italian poems, but it may be doubted whether the printer possessed Hebrew type. See next art.

9. Sidney, sir Philip. PEPLVS | ILLVSTRISSIMI | VIRI D. PHILIPPI | SIDNAEI SVPRE-|MIS HONORIBVS | DICATVS. | [woodcut, then two mottos.]

Impr. 11: 1587: sm. 4^o: pp. 54 + [2]: p. 11 beg. Cur temet: Pica Roman and Italic. Contents:—p. 1, title: 3–4, dedication to Henry Herbert earl of Pembroke, in Latin, by “Ioannes Luidus,” New college, Oxford, 26 Aug. 1587: 5–54, the work: 54, two errata.