[1] This technical term, designating the class of youthful loungers,
was a new term in 1596, when Sir John Davis wrote his "Epigrams"--
"Oft in my laughing rimes I name a GULL,
But this _new terme_ will many questions breed;
Therefore, at first, I will expresse at full
Who is a true and perfect Gull indeed."
His delineation is admirable; Gifford, in his "Jonson," quotes it at
length,--i. 14. But whoever may be curious about these masculine
"birds" will be initiated into the mysteries of "Gullery" by "The
Gulls' Horn-book" of DEKKER, of which we have a beautiful edition,
with appropriate embellishments, by Dr. Nott.
[2] Dr. Bliss has given an excellent edition of Bishop Earle's
"Microcosmography, or a Piece of the World Discovered in Essays and
Characters."
[3] Every atom of candour is to be grudged to this hapless monarch;
it is lamentable to see such a writer as Mr. Hallam prompt instantly
to confirm a mere suggestion of Mr. Collier, that James could never
have written a letter to Shakespeare, incapacitated to sympathize
with the genial effusions of our poet.