In the _Gentleman's Magazine_, vol. vii., new series, p. 48., is a
clever notice of the life and works of the venerable John Stowe. It
says:--
"The biographers have affirmed that he quitted his trade; but
there is nothing to authorize that assertion in what he says
himself upon the subject."
In the preface to an edition of the _Summarie for the Year_ {298} 1575,
now in my possession, Stowe says:--
"It is nowe x yeres, since I (seeing the confuse order of our
late englishe Chronicles, and the ignorant handling of aunciet
affaires) leaning myne own peculiar gains, coscerated my selfe
to the searche of our famous antiquities."
Stowe was born in 1525; he was then 40 years of age when he gave up his
"peculiar gains," and devoted himself entirely to antiquarian labours.
There had already appeared his edition of _Chaucer_ in 1561, also the
commencement of the _Summaries_; but his greater works, the _Annals,
Survey of London_, &c., were not published till several years after.
In his old age he was reduced to poverty, or rather to actual beggary;
for shortly before his death, when fourscore years old, he was
permitted, by royal letters patent, to become a mendicant. This curious
document is printed in Mr. Bolton Corney's _Curiosities of Literature
Illustrated_, and sets forth, that
"Whereas our louing Subject, John Stowe, this fine & forty yeers
hath to his great charge, & with neglect of his ordinary meanes
of maintenance (for the generall good as well of posteritie, as
of the present age) compiled and published diuerse necessary
bookes & Chronicles; and therefore we, in recompense of these
his painfull laboures, & for the encouragement to the like, haue
in our royall inclination ben pleased to graunt our Letters
Patents &c. &c.; thereby authorizing him and his deputies to
collect amongst our louing subjects, theyr voluntary
contributions & kinde gratuities."
The whole preface to this edition of the _Summarie_ is curious, and is
followed by a List of "Authors out of whom this Summary is collected."
In Hearne's _Robert of Gloster_, preface, p. lxi., allusion is made to
these _Summaries_. He says:--
"I have not yet met with a copy of this _Summary_ in which we
have an account of his authors."