2l6 CHAPTER 17. 
example of the eftimation he gave them. 
They were an oral and traditionary kind of 
didadlics, which bore a greater value before 
the difFufion of knowledge by the ufe of 
printing ; and, in oriental countries, are ftill 
a favourite and ufual mode of inftrudion. 
Of fuch as have been handed down in 
Britain, from father to fon, through nu- 
merous generations, Mr. Ray's colledion 
contains an ample ftore. It is, I believe, 
the principal in its way; and the author has 
interfperfed many notes, which illuftrate 
the origin and fenfe of thefe aphoriftic lef- 
fons, and throw no fmall light on the 
manners and cuftoms of various people. 
In 1674, was publiflied, his Collec- 
TioN OF English Words not gene- 
" rally ufed, with their fignifications, and 
original, in two alphabetical catalogues, 
one of the northern, and the other of the 
*^ fouthern counties. To which is added, 
an account of the preparing and refining 
*^ fuch metals and minerals as are gotten in 
England,'* London, 12'. 
This little volume is dedicated to his 
friend Mr, Courthope, at whofe fuggef- 
tion^ 
