Notes and Queries, Number 26, April 27, 1850 | Page 2

in a figurative sense, but am disposed to think that here they are intended for something real. And I am at a loss how to reconcile these expressions of poverty with his being the purchaser and enjoyer of such an estate. I shall wait, therefore, with considerable anxiety till it may suit the pleasure or convenience {410} of Mr. Collier to communicate to the world the proofs he has obtained of the poet's identification with the Norton monument. I would, however, further add, that so late as 1606, the Dedication to the Praise of Vertuous Ladies is dated "From my Chamber in the Blacke-Fryers," and that not one of his later productions is dated from Norton, which probably would have been the case had he been resident there.
I regret that I am unable to afford Mr. Collier any information respecting the "Crossing of Proverbs," beyond the fact of the late Mr. Rodd being the purchaser of Mr. Heber's fragment, but whether on commission or not, I cannot say, nor where it now is. The same kind of proverbs are given in _Wit's Private Wealth_, 1603, and in some other of his works.
Nicholas Breton, besides being a pleasing and polished writer of lyric and pastoral poetry, appears to have been a close and attentive observer of nature and manners,--abounding in wit and humour,--and a pious and religious man. He was also a soldier, a good fisherman, and a warm admirer of Queen Elizabeth, of whom he gives a beautiful character in "_A Dialogue full of pithe and pleasure, upon the Dignitie or Indignitie of Man_," 4to., 1603, on the reverse of Sig. c. iii.
As it is sometimes desirable to know where copies of the rarer productions of a writer are to be met with, I may state, that among some five or six-and-twenty of this author's pieces, besides the _Auspicante Jehova Maries Exercise_, 8vo. 1597, already mentioned, of which I know of no other copy than my own, I possess also the only one of _A small handfull of Fragrant Flowers_, 8vo. 1575, and _A Floorish upon Fancie_, 4to. 1582, both reprinted in the Heliconia; _Marie Magdalen's Loue_, with _A Solemne Passion of the Soules Loue_, 8vo. 1595, the first part in prose, the latter in six-line stanzas, and very rare; _Fantastics: seruing for a Perpetual Prognostication_, 4to. 1626; and _Wit's Trenchmour, In a conference had betwixt a Scholler and an Angler. Written by Nich. Breton, Gentleman_, 4to. bl. lett. 1597, the only copy known and not included in Lowndes's list, which, from the style of its composition and the similarity of some of the remarks, is supposed to have been the original work from which Izaac Walton first took the idea of his Complete Angler.
THOMAS CORSER. Stand Rectory, April 16. 1850.
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NOTES UPON CUNNINGHAM'S HANDBOOK FOR LONDON.
_Baldwin's Gardens._--A passage upon the east side of Gray's Inn Lane, leading into Leather Lane. Tom Brown dates some introductory verses, prefixed to Playford's _Pleasant Musical Companion_, 1698, "from Mr. Steward's, at the Hole-in-the-Wall, in _Baldwin's Gardens_." There is extant a single sheet with an engraved head, published by J. Applebee, 1707, and called,--
"The English and French Prophets mad, or bewitcht, at their assemblies in _Baldwin's Gardens_."
A Letter of Anthony Wood's, in the writer's collection, is thus addressed:--
"For John Aubrey, Esq. To be left at Mr. Caley's house, in _Baldwin's Gardens_, neare Gray's Inne Lane, London."
_The White Hart, Bishopsgate Street._--A tavern said to be of very ancient date. In front of the present building, the writer of the present notice observed (in 1838) the date cut in stone, 1480.
_The Nag's Head, Cheapside._--A view of this tavern is preserved in a print of the entry of Mary de Medici, when she paid a visit to her son-in-law and daughter, the unfortunate Charles I. and his queen.
_St. Paul's Alley._--
"Whereas, the yearly meeting of the name of Adam hath of late, through the deficiency of the last stewards, been neglected, these are to give notice to all gentlemen, and others that are of that name, that, at William Adams', commonly called 'The Northern Alehouse,' in _St. Paul's Alley_, in St. Paul's Church Yard, there will be a weekly meeting, every Monday night, of our namesakes, between the hours of 6 and 8 of the clock in the evening, in order to choose stewards to revive our antient and annual feast."--_Domestic Intelligence_, 1681.
_St. Paul's Churchyard._--
"In St. Paul's Church Yard were formerly many shops where music and musical instruments were sold, for which, at this time, no better reason can be given than that the service at that Cathedral drew together, twice a day, all the lovers of music in London; not to mention that the chairmen were wont to assemble there, where they were met by their friends and acquaintance."-- _Sir John Hawkins' History of