1. The _Remarks upon the History of the Landed and Commercial Policy of
England_ was written by the Rev. Joseph Hudson, Prebendary of Carlisle,
1782, "a judicious and elegant writer, who could not be prevailed on to
give his name with it to the public."--See Nichols's _Literary Anecdotes
of the Eighteenth Century_, vol. viii. p. 160, note. {92} Mr. N.
characterises it as "a valuable work, richly deserving to be better
known."
2. There are two histories of King Edward II., one in small _folio_, of
which the title is accurately given by your correspondent, and another
in 8vo., the title of which is given at the head of the reprint in the
_Harleian Miscellany_, vol. i. p. 69. Both these editions bear the date
of 1680. I had always supposed that the edition in 8vo. was a mere
reprint of the folio; but on now comparing the text of the folio with
that of the 8vo. as given in the _Harl. Miscellany_, I find the most
essential differences; so much so, as hardly to be recognised as the
same. Mr. Park, the last editor of the _Harl. Miscellany_ (who could
only find the folio), appears to have been puzzled by these differences,
and explains them by the supposition that the diction has been much
modified by Mr. Oldys (the original editor of the _Miscellany_), a
supposition which is entirely erroneous. The "Publisher's Advertisement
to the Reader," and the "Author's Preface to the Reader," signed "E.F.,"
and dated "Feb. 20, 1627," are both left out in the 8vo.; and it will be
seen that the anonymous authorship and date of composition in the
title-page are suppressed, for which we have substituted "found among
the papers of, and (supposed to be) writ by, the Right Honourable Henry
Viscount Faulkland."
Antony Wood, without absolutely questioning its authenticity, seems to
have regarded it as a mere ephemeral production, as brought out at a
time "when the press was open for all such books that could make any
thing against the then government, with a preface to the reader patch'd
up from very inconsiderable authors, by Sir Ja. II. as is
supposed."--_Athen. Oxom._ vol. ii. p. 565. There is not the slightest
evidence to connect the authorship either of the folio or the 8vo. with
Henry Viscount Falkland.
Your correspondent A.T. (p. 59.) will find all the information he
desires about the Rev. Thomas Leman, and the assistance he rendered to
Mr. Hatcher in his edition of _Richard of Cirencester_, in Mr. Britton's
own _Autobiography_. See pp. 7 and 8.