Introduction. 7 



of so worthy an author. But Mr. Harrison the stationers request and desire to 

 give his country satisfaction, must be satisfied, and in it myselfe rest excused. 

 What mine observations are, I refer to censure : assuredly the truth stands on 

 so well grounded experience, that but my haste, nothing can do them injury. 

 What to me is doubtful, I have, as I can, explained; what wants, in my judge 

 ment, I have supplied as the time would suffer; what I passe by, I approve. 

 The author by verse hath expressed much learning, and by his Answer to the 

 Objection, shewn himselfe to have been vertuous. The subject itselfe is honest, 

 and pleasant, and sometimes profitable. Use it, and give God all glory. Amen." 



In the subsequent issues no important alteration, that I am aware of, was 

 made either in the poem or the notes. 



The third edition bore date I630. 1 and the only known copy is in the 

 Denison collection. A new wood-cut is used of the same subject, but badly 

 executed. One motto is the same -the other reads : " Well fare the pleasure 

 that yields such treasure." The fourth appeared in 1652. - Several copies of 

 the latter are extant, of which two are in the British Museum and one in the 

 possession of Mr. Denison. The woodcut here figures as a frontispiece and 

 its place in the title is filled with the bookseller's mark, "The Hare 

 and Sun.'' 



The poem was reprinted in extenso, from the preceding edition, in Sir 

 Egerton Brydges' "British Bibliographer," 3 and a hundred copies, with index and 

 short advertisement, were struck off separately. It was also noticed, with large 

 citations, in the same bibliophile's, " Censura Literaria " 4 in an article which was 

 appropriated by Daniel, in the supplement to his "Rural Sports," in 1813. 



The fact of the second, third, and fourth editions being distinct, is proved 

 (if any proof were wanting) by the variations both in the title and in the leaf 

 containing the mystical recipe " Wouldst thou take fish ? " Thus in the 

 second edition we are told 



" This excellent recipe you may buy ready and truely made at the signe 



1 " Printed inSvo. for John Jackson in the Strand, at the sign of the Pnrote. 1630." 

 - "London, printer! by T. II., for John Harrison, and are to be sold by Francis Coles at liis 

 shop at Old Hayley, 1652." 

 :) 1812, Vol. II. p. 465. 

 4 1809, Vol. X. p. 280. 



