  We have frequently referred to the writings of John Stow in this work, and we think a short account of his life and labours will prove interesting to our readers. From the ranks of tailors have sprung many famous men. Not one more worthy, perhaps, than honest John Stow, the painstaking compiler of works which have found a lasting place in historic literature. Stow was a Londoner of Londoners, born in 1525, in the parish of St. Michael, Cornhill. His father and grandfather were citizens, and appear to have been most worthy men. John Stow was trained under his father to the trade of a tailor. At an early age he took an interest in the study of history and antiquities, and, as years ran their course, his love of research increased. We have had handed down to us from the pen of Edmund Howes, his literary executor, a well-drawn word-portrait of Stow. We learn that he was tall in stature, and, as befits the ideal student, He lived in an historically attractive age. It was a period when some of our greatest countrymen worked and talked amongst men. Gifted authors made the time glorious in our literary annals. Stow’s fame mainly rests on being an exact and picturesque describer of the London of Queen Elizabeth. His Survey is not a mere topographical account of the city, but a pleasantly penned picture, full of life and character, of the social condition, manners, customs, sports, and pastimes of the people. John Stow was most minute as a writer, and his attention to slight circumstances has caused some critics to make merry over his productions. Fuller, for example, spoke of him “as such a smell-feast that he cannot pass by the Guildhall but his pen must taste the good cheer therein.” It is his consideration of minor matters that renders his book so valuable to the student of bygone times. We may quote, to illustrate this, In about his fortieth year, Stow gave up his business as a tailor and devoted his entire life to antiquarian pursuits. Fame he won, but not fortune. In place of being wealthy in his old age, he, as we shall presently see, suffered from poverty. His principal works include his Summary of English Chronicles, first issued in 1561. In 1580, his Annals; or, a General Chronicle of England was published. His most important work was given to the world in 1598, under the title of a Survey of London and Westminster. Besides writing the foregoing original books, he assisted on the continuation of Holinshed’s Chronicle and Speght’s edition of Chaucer, and he was employed on other undertakings. JOHN STOW’S MONUMENT. We might well suppose that Stow’s blameless life would render him free from suspicion, and that his grateful countrymen would regard with respect his great work in writing the history of England. Such was not the case. It was thought that his researches would injure the reformed religion, and on this miserable plea he was cast into prison, and his humble home was searched. We obtain from the report of the searchers an interesting account of the contents of Stow’s library. It consisted, we are told, of “great collections of his own, of his English chronicles, also a great sort of old books, some John Stow failed to make much money, but on the whole, he lived a peaceful life, enjoying the many pleasures that fall to the lot of the student. Happily for him, to use Howes’ words, “He was careless of the scoffers, backbiters, and detractors.” It is Howes who also tells that Stow always protested never to have written anything either of malice, fear, or favour, nor to seek his own particular gain or vain-glory, and that his only pains and care was to write the truth. At the age of four score years, his labours received State acknowledgment. It was indeed a poor acknowledgment, for, in answer to a petition, James I. granted him a licence to beg. Stow sought help, to use his own words, as “a recompense for his labour and travel of forty-five years, in setting forth the Chronicles of England, and eight years taken up in the Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster, towards his relief in his old age, having left his former means of living, The humble request was granted, and the document says:—“Whereas our loving subject, John Stow (a very aged and worthy member of our city of London), this five-and-forty years hath, to his great charge, and with neglect of his ordinary means of maintenance (for the general good, as well of posterity as of the present age), compiled and published divers necessary books and chronicles; and therefore we, in recompense of these his painful labours, and for encouragement of the like, have, in our Royal inclination, been pleased to grant our Letters Patent, under our Great Seal of England, thereby authorising him, the said John Stow, to collect among our loving subjects their voluntary contributions and kind gratuities.” The foregoing authority to beg was granted for twelve months, but, as the response was so small, it pleased the King to extend the privilege for another year. From one parish in the City of London he only received seven shillings and sixpence—a poor reward, to use Stow’s words, “of many a weary day’s travel, and cold winter night’s study.” Ye Ende INDEX. Abingdon, customs at, 56 SOME RECENT BOOKS Antiquities and Curiosities of the Church. Edited by William Andrews, F.R.H.S. Demy 8vo., 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations. Contents:—Church History and Historians—Supernatural Interference in Church Building—Ecclesiastical Symbolism in Architecture—Acoustic Jars—Crypts—Heathen Customs at Christian Feasts—Fish and Fasting—Shrove-tide and Lenten Customs—Wearing Hats in Church—The Stool of Repentance—Cursing by Bell, Book, and Candle—Pulpits—Church Windows—Alms-Boxes and Alms-Dishes—Old Collecting Boxes—Gargoyles—Curious Vanes—People and Steeple Rhymes—Sun-Dials—Lack of the Clock-House—Games in Churchyards—Circular Churchyards—Church and Churchyard Charms and Cures—Yew Trees in Churchyards. “A very entertaining work.”—Leeds Mercury. “A well-printed, handsome, and profusely illustrated work.”—Norfolk Chronicle. “There is much curious and interesting reading in this popular volume, which moreover has a useful index.”—Glasgow Herald. “The contents of the volume is exceptionally good reading, and crowded with out-of-the-way, useful, and well selected information on a subject which has an undying interest.”—Birmingham Mercury. “In concluding this notice it is only the merest justice to add that every page of it abounds with rare and often amusing information, drawn from the most accredited sources. It also abounds with illustrations of our old English authors, and it is likely to prove welcome not only to the Churchman, but to the student of folk-lore and of poetical literature.”—Morning Post. “We can recommend this volume to all who are interested in the notable and curious things that relate to churches and public worship in this and other countries.”—Newcastle Daily Journal. “It is very handsomely got up and admirably printed, the letterpress being beautifully clear.”—Lincoln Mercury. “The book is well indexed.”—Daily Chronicle. “By delegating certain topics to those most capable of treating them, the editor has the satisfaction of presenting the best available information in a very attractive manner.”—Dundee Advertiser. “It must not be supposed that the book is of interest only to Churchmen, although primarily so, for it treats in such a skilful and instructive manner with ancient manners and customs as to make it an invaluable book of reference to all who are concerned in the seductive study of antiquarian subjects.”—Chester Courant. The Cross, in Ritual, Architecture, and Art. By the REV. GEO. S. TYACK, B.A. Crown 8vo., 3s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations. The author of this Volume has brought together much valuable and out-of-the-way information which cannot fail to interest and instruct the reader. The work is the result of careful study, and its merits entitle it to a permanent place in public and private libraries. Many beautiful illustrations add to the value of the Volume. “This book is reverent, learned, and interesting, and will be read with a great deal of profit by anyone who wishes to study the history of the sign of our Redemption.”—Church Times. “A book of equal interest to artists, archÆologists, architects, and the clergy has been written by the Rev. G. S. Tyack, upon ‘The Cross in Ritual, Architecture, and Art.’ Although Mr. Tyack has restricted himself to this country, this work is sufficiently complete for its purpose, which is to show the manifold uses to which the Cross, the symbol of the Christian Faith, has been put in Christian lands. It treats of the Cross in ritual, in Church ornament, as a memorial of the dead, and in secular mason work; of preaching crosses, wayside and boundary crosses, well crosses, market crosses, and the Cross in heraldry. Mr. Tyack has had the assistance of Mr. William Andrews, to whom he records his indebtedness for the use of his collection of works, notes, and pictures; but it is evident that this book has cost many years of research on his own part. It is copiously and well illustrated, lucidly ordered and written, and deserves to be widely known.”—Yorkshire Post. “This is an exhaustive treatise on a most interesting subject, and Mr. Tyack has proved himself to be richly informed and fully qualified to deal with it. All lovers of ecclesiastical lore will find the volume instructive and suggestive, while the ordinary reader will be surprised to find that the Cross in the churchyard or by the roadside has so many meanings and significances. Mr. Tyack divides his work into eight sections, beginning with the pre-Christian cross, and then tracing its development, its adaptations, its special uses, and applications, and at all times bringing out clearly its symbolic purposes. We have the history of the Cross in the Church, of its use as an ornament, and of its use as a public and secular instrument; then we get a chapter on ‘Memorial Crosses,’ and another on ‘Wayside and Boundary Crosses.’ The volume teems with facts, and it is evident that Mr. Tyack has made his study a labour of love, and spared no research in order, within the prescribed limits, to make his work complete. He has given us a valuable work of reference, and a very instructive and entertaining volume.”—Birmingham Daily Gazette. “An engrossing and instructive narrative.”—Dundee Advertiser. “As a popular account of the Cross in history, we do not know that a better book can be named.”—Glasgow Herald. Old Church Lore. By WILLIAM ANDREWS, F.R.H.S. Demy 8vo., 7s. 6d. Contents—The Right of Sanctuary—The Romance of Trial—A Fight between the Mayor of Hull and the Archbishop of York—Chapels on Bridges—Charter Horns—The Old English Sunday—The Easter Sepulchre—St. Paul’s Cross—Cheapside Cross—The Biddenden Maids Charity—Plagues and Pestilences—A King Curing an Abbot of Indigestion—The Services and Customs of Royal Oak Day—Marrying in a White Sheet—Marrying under the Gallows—Kissing the Bride—Hot Ale at Weddings—Marrying Children—The Passing Bell—Concerning Coffins—The Curfew Bell—Curious Symbols of the Saints—Acrobats on Steeples—A carefully prepared Index—Illustrated. “An interesting volume.”—The Scotsman. “A worthy work on a deeply interesting subject.... We commend this book strongly.”—European Mail. “The book is eminently readable, and may be taken up at any moment with the certainty that something suggestive or entertaining will present itself.”—Glasgow Citizen. “Mr. Andrews’ book does not contain a dull page.... Deserves to meet with a very warm welcome.”—Yorkshire Post. A Lawyer’s Secrets. By HERBERT LLOYD. Author of “The Children of Chance,” etc. Price One Shilling. “Mr. Herbert Lloyd gives us a succession of stories which may reasonably be taken to have their origin in the experience of a lawyer practicing at large in the criminal courts. It is natural that they should be of a romantic nature; but romance is not foreign to a lawyer’s consulting room, so that this fact need not be charged against this lawyer’s veracity.... The stories, seven in all, cover the ground of fraud and murder, inspired by the prevailing causes of crime—greed and jealousy. Our lawyer is happy in having the majority of his clients the innocent victims of false charges inspired and fostered in a great measure by their own folly; but this is a natural phase of professional experience, and we are only concerned with the fact that he generally manages it as effectively in the interests of his clients as his editor does in presenting them to his audience.”—Literary World. “A volume of entertaining stories.... The book has much the same interest as a volume of detective stories, except that putting the cases in a lawyer’s mouth gives them a certain freshness. It is well written, and makes a capital volume for a railway journey.”—The Scotsman. “A very entertaining volume.”—Birmingham Daily Gazette. Legal Lore: Curiosities of Law and Lawyers. Edited by WILLIAM ANDREWS, F.R.H.S. Demy 8vo., Cloth extra, 7s. 6d. Contents:—Bible Law—Sanctuaries—Trials in Superstitious Ages—On Symbols—Law Under the Feudal System—The Manor and Manor Law—Ancient Tenures—Laws of the Forest—Trial by Jury in Old Times—Barbarous Punishments—Trials of Animals—Devices of the Sixteenth Century Debtors—Laws Relating to the Gipsies—Commonwealth Law and Lawyers—Cock-Fighting in Scotland—Cockieleerie Law—Fatal Links—Post-Mortem Trials—Island Laws—The Little Inns of Court—Obiter. “There are some very amusing and curious facts concerning law and lawyers. We have read with much interest the articles on Sanctuaries, Trials in Superstitious Ages, Ancient Tenures, Trials by Jury in Old Times, Barbarous Punishments, and Trials of Animals, and can heartily recommend the volume to those who wish for a few hours’ profitable diversion in the study of what may be called the light literature of the law.”—Daily Mail. “Most amusing and instructive reading.”—The Scotsman. “The contents of the volume are extremely entertaining, and convey not a little information on ancient ideas and habits of life. While members of the legal profession will turn to the work for incidents with which to illustrate an argument or point a joke, laymen will enjoy its vivid descriptions of old fashioned proceedings and often semi-barbaric ideas to obligation and rectitude.”—Dundee Advertiser. “The subjects chosen are extremely interesting, and contain a quantity of out-of-the-way and not easily accessible information.... 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The versatility of the work assures for it a wide popularity.”—Northern Gazette. “A happy and useful addition to current literature.”—Norfolk Chronicle. “The book is a very fascinating one, and it is specially interesting to students of history as showing the vast changes which, by gradual course of development have been brought about both in the principles and practice of the law.”—The Evening Gazette. In The Temple By a BARRISTER-AT-LAW. Price One Shilling. This book opens with a chapter on the history of the Temple. Next follows an account of the Knight Templars. The story of the Devil’s Own is given in a graphic manner. A Sketch of Christmas in the Temple is included. In an entertaining manner the reader is informed how to become a Templar, the manner of keeping terms is described, and lastly, the work concludes with a chapter on call parties. “Amusing and interesting sketches.”—Law Times. “Pleasing gossip about the barristers’ quarters.”—The Gentlewoman. “A pleasant little volume.”—The Globe. The Red, Red Wine. By THE REV. J. JACKSON WRAY. Crown 8vo., 330 pp. A portrait of the Author and other illustrations. Price 3s. 6d. “This, as its name implies, is a temperance story, and is told in the lamented author’s most graphic style. We have never read anything so powerful since ‘Danesbury House,’ and this book in stern and pathetic earnestness even excels that widely-known book. It is worthy a place in every Sunday School and village library; and, as the latest utterance of one whose writings are so deservedly popular, it is sure of a welcome. It should give decision to some whose views about Local Option are hazy.”—Joyful News. “The story is one of remarkable power.”—The Temperance Record. “An excellent and interesting story.”—The Temperance Chronicle. Faces on the Queen’s Highway. By FLO. JACKSON. Elegantly Bound, Crown 8vo., price 2s. 6d. Though oftenest to be found in a pensive mood, the writer of this very dainty volume of sketches is always very sweet and winning. She has evidently a true artist’s love of nature, and in a few lines can limn an autumn landscape full of colour, and the life which is on the down slope. And she can tell a very taking story, as witness the sketch “At the Inn,” and “The Master of White Hags,” and all her characters are real, live flesh-and-blood people, who do things naturally, and give very great pleasure to the reader accordingly. Miss Jackson’s gifts are of a very high order.—Aberdeen Free Press. The Doomed Ship; or, The Wreck in the Arctic Regions. By WILLIAM HURTON. Crown 8vo., Elegantly Bound, Gilt extra, 3s. 6d. “There is no lack of adventures, and the writer has a matter-of-fact way of telling them.”—Spectator. “‘The Doomed Ship,’ by William Hurton, is a spirited tale of adventures in the old style of sea-stories. Mr. Hurton seems to enter fully into the manliness of sea life.”—Idler. Chronologies and Calendars. By JAMES C. MACDONALD, F.S.A. Scot. Crown 8vo., price 7s. 6d. “It is unlike most books on its subject in being brief and readable to an unlearned student. But its chief interest and its unquestionable value is for those who consider dates more curiously than most men need do in an age in which incorporated societies endeavour to persuade a man to insure his life by presenting him with an illuminated table of days. Those who are engaged in original historical researches will find it invaluable both for study and for reference.”—The Scotsman. “A large amount of carefully prepared information.”—Aberdeen Free Press. The Quaker Poets of Great Britain and Ireland. By EVELYN NOBLE ARMITAGE. Demy 8vo., cloth extra, 7s. 6d. The volume opens with a brief sketch of the Rise of the Society of Friends, and Characteristics of its Poetry. Biographical Notices and Examples of the best Poems of the Chief Quaker Poets of Great Britain and Ireland. “The book throughout is a good example of scholarly and appreciative editing.”—The Times. “The book is well worth reading, and evinces signs of careful selection and treatment of themes.”—Liverpool Daily Post. “Mrs. Armitage’s book was worth compiling, and has claims on others than members of the Society of Friends.”—Newcastle Daily Leader. “The volume is well worth careful study.”—Manchester Guardian. “This is a charming and even captivating book.”—Friends’ Quarterly Examiner. Stepping Stones to Socialism. By DAVID MAXWELL, C.E. Crown 8vo., 140 pp.; fancy cover, 1s.; cloth bound, 2s. Contents:—In a reasonable and able manner Mr. Maxwell deals with the following topics:—The Popular meaning of the Word Socialism—Lord Salisbury on Socialism—Why There is in Many Minds an Antipathy to Socialism—On Some Socialistic Views of Marriage—The Question of Private Property—The Old Political Economy is not the Way of Salvation—Who is My Neighbour?—Progress, and the Condition of the Labourer—Good and Bad Trade: Precarious Employment—All Popular Movements are Helping on Socialism—Modern Literature in Relation to Social Progress—Pruning the Old Theological Tree—The Churches: Their Socialistic Tendencies—The Future of the Earth in Relation to Human Life—Socialism is Based on Natural Laws of Life—Humanity in the Future—Preludes to Socialism—Forecasts of the Ultimate Form of Society—A Pisgah-top View of the Promised Land. “A temperate and reverent study of a great question.”—London Quarterly Review. “Mr. David Maxwell’s book is the timely expression of a richly-furnished mind on the current problems of home politics and social ethics.”—Eastern Morning News. “Quite up-to-date.”—Hull Daily Mail. The Studies of a Socialist Parson. By the Rev. W. H. ABRAHAM, M.A. (London). Crown 8vo., Price One Shilling. The volume consists of sermons and addresses, given mostly at the St. Augustine’s Church, Hull. The author in his preface says, “It is the duty of the clergyman to try and understand what Socialism is, and to lead men from the false Socialism to the true.” Contents:—The Working-man, Past and Present: A Historical Review—Whither are we going?—National Righteousness—The True Value of Life—Christian Socialism—Jesus Christ, the True Socialist—Socialism, through Christ or without Him?—The Great Bread Puzzle—Labour Day, May 1, 1892—The People, the Rulers, and the Priests—Friendly Societies—Trades’ Unions—The People’s Church—On some Social Questions—The Greatest Help to the true Social Life—The Great I Am—God as a present force—Signs of the Times. “The volume is deserving of all praise.”—Glasgow Herald. “An admirable contribution to the solution of difficult problems. Mr. Abraham has much that is valuable to say, and says it well.”—Spectator. “The book is as a whole sensitive and suggestive. The timely words on ‘Decency in Journalism and Conversation’ deserve to be widely read.”—London Quarterly Review. Yorkshire Family Romance. By FREDERICK ROSS, F.R.H.S. Elegantly bound in cloth gilt, Demy 8vo., 6s. Contents:—The Synod of Streoneshalh—The Doomed Heir of Osmotherley—St. Eadwine, the Royal Martyr—The Viceroy Siward—Phases in the Life of a Political Martyr—The Murderer’s Bride—The Earldom of Wiltes—Blackfaced Clifford—The Shepherd Lord—The Felons of Ilkley—The Ingilby Boar’s Head—The Eland Tragedy—The Plumpton Marriage—The Topcliffe Insurrection—Burning of Cottingham Castle—The Alum Workers—The Maiden of Marblehead—Rise of the House of Phipps—The Traitor Governor of Hull. “The grasp and thoroughness of the writer is evident in every page, and the book forms a valuable addition to the literature of the North Country.”—Gentlewoman. “Many will welcome this work.”—Yorkshire Post. Legendary Yorkshire. By FREDERICK ROSS, F.R.H.S. Elegantly bound in cloth gilt, Demy 8vo., 6s. Contents:—The Enchanted Cave—The Doomed City—The Worm of Nunnington—The Devil’s Arrows—The Giant Road Maker of Mulgrave—The Virgin’s Head of Halifax—The Dead Arm of St. Oswald the King—The Translation of St. Hilda—A Miracle of St. John—The Beatified Sisters—The Dragon of Wantley—The Miracles and Ghost of Watton—The Murdered Hermit of Eskdale—The Calverley Ghost—The Bewitched House of Wakefield. “It is a work of lasting interest, and cannot fail to delight the reader.”—Beverley Recorder. “The history and the literature of our county are now receiving marked attention, and Mr. Andrews merits the support of the public for the production of this and other interesting volumes he has issued. We cannot speak too highly of this volume, the printing, the paper, and the binding being faultless.”—Driffield Observer. In Folly Land. By CAP and BELLS. Crown 8vo., One Shilling. “‘Folly Land’ is the title of a neatly-produced shilling volume of humorous verse by a writer who—if we are not misinformed—veils a well-known name under the nom de guerre of ‘Cap and Bells.’ Some of the comic poems, ‘A Wicked Story’ and ‘Just my Luck,’ for instance, are funny. A humorous and unhackneyed recitation is always a welcome addition to the not varied repertoire of the professional or amateur reciter, and some of the contents of ‘Folly Land’ are likely to become popular.”—The Star. Biblical and Shakespearian Characters Compared. By the Rev. JAMES BELL. Crown 8vo., 3s. 6d. Between the Hebrew Bible and Shakespeare there exists some interesting and instructive points of resemblance, especially in respect of their ways of life and character. No doubt certain inevitable differences also exist between them, but these do not hide the resemblance; rather they serve to set it, so to speak, in bolder relief. The author in this volume treats or this striking resemblance, under certain phases, between Hebrew Prophecy and Shakespearian Drama. The following are the chief “Studies” which find a place in the work:—Hebrew Prophecy and Shakespeare: a Comparison—Eli and Hamlet—Saul and Macbeth—Jonathan and Horatio—David and Henry V.—Epilogue. “One of the most suggestive volumes we have met with for a long time.”—Birmingham Daily Gazette. “A deeply interesting book.”—The Methodist Times. “A highly interesting and ingenious work.”—British Weekly. The New Fairy Book. Edited by WILLIAM ANDREWS, F.R.H.S. Price 4s. 6d. Demy 8vo. This volume contains Fifteen New Fairy Stories by Popular Authors. Many charming original illustrations are included. It is beautifully printed in bold clear type, and bound in a most attractive style. “A very delightful volume, and eminently qualified for a gift book.... The stories are bright and interesting.”—Glasgow Herald. “We hope the book will get into many children’s hands.”—Review of Reviews. “We can recommend the stories for their originality, and the volume for its elegant and tasteful appearance.”—Westminster Gazette. Famous Frosts and Frost Fairs in Great Britain. Chronicled from the Earliest to the Present Time. By WILLIAM ANDREWS, F.R.H.S. Fcap. 4to. Bevelled boards, gilt tops. Price 4s. This work furnishes a carefully prepared account of all the great Frosts occurring in this country from A.D. 134 to 1887. The numerous Frost Fairs on the Thames are fully described, and illustrated with quaint woodcuts, and several old ballads relating to the subject are reproduced. It is tastefully printed and elegantly bound. “A very interesting volume.”—Northern Daily Telegraph. “A great deal of curious and valuable information is contained in these pages.... A comely volume.”—Literary World. “An interesting and valuable work.”—West Middlesex Times. “A volume of much interest and great importance.”—Rotherham Advertiser. Andrews’s Library of Masterpieces of Choice Literature. This series of works consists of reprints carefully edited, with notes, etc., of a number of works which have long been out of print, but which are of undoubted merit, and volumes that cultured book-lovers will prize. Only the very best works in our literature are included in the series, and are carefully printed on good paper, and suitably bound. In all cases limited editions are printed. The first three volumes of the series are as follow:— Crown 8vo., bound in Cloth, 2s. each. The Months: Descriptive of the Successive Beauties of the Year. By LEIGH HUNT. With Biographical Introduction by William Andrews, F.R.H.S. A Song to David By CHRISTOPHER SMART. Edited, with Notes, by J. R. Tutin. Carmen Deo Nostro, Te Decet Hymnus: Sacred Poems. By RICHARD CRASHAW. Edited by J. R. Tutin. London: This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. |
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