[1] Barrington's "Observations on the more ancient Statutes."
[2] For the general reader I fear that "The Visions of Piers
Ploughman" must remain a sealed book. The last edition of Dr.
WHITAKER, the most magnificent and frightful volume that was ever
beheld in the black letter, was edited by one whose delicacy of taste
unfitted him for this homely task: the plain freedom of the vigorous
language is sometimes castrated, with a faulty paraphrase and a
slender glossary; and passages are slurred over with an annihilating
&c. Much was expected from this splendid edition; the subscription
price was quadrupled, and on its publication every one would rid
himself of the mutilated author. The editor has not assisted the
reader through his barbarous text interspersed with Saxon characters
and abbreviations, and the difficulties of an obscure and elliptical
phraseology in a very antiquated language. Should ever a new edition
appear, the perusal would be facilitated by printing with the white
letter. There is an excellent specimen for an improved text and
edition in "Gent. Mag.," April, 1834. [This improved text of the
"Vision" and "Crede" has, since this note was originally written,
been published with notes by T. Wright, M.A.; and has been again
reprinted recently.]