June 1869.
The publication of the 'English Reprints' passed into the Editor's
hands on the 1st of May last. An inevitable cessation in the issue of
new works ensued: but with the appearance of Howell's _Instructions,
&c._, the Series resumes its growth.
A few changes have been made as to works in immediate preparation.
(1) _Roister Doister_ can be published for Sixpence. (2) An early
printed rarity, _The Revelation to the Monk of Evesham_, has therefore
been interpolated. (3) Elyot's _Governor_ has been postponed to next
year. (4) In its stead Naunton's _Fragmenta Regalia_, and Watson's
#ekatompathia#, _&c._ have been inserted.
It is a great gratification to bring back from oblivion the works of so
elegant a poet as Thomas Watson, of whose renown in his own age Francis
Meres thus testifies in his _Palladis Tamia_, 1598.
'As Italy had _Dante_, _Boccace_, _Petrarch_, _Tasso_, _Celiano_,
and _Ariosto_: so England had _Mathew Roydon_, _Thomas Atchelow_,
_Thomas Watson_, _Thomas Kid_, _Robert Greene_ and _George Peele_.'
--_p. 282_, b.
'As _Theocritus_ in Greeke, _Virgil_ and _Mantuan_ in Latine,
_Sanazar_ in Italian, and the Authour of _Amyntæ Gaudia_ and
_Walsinghams Meliboeus_ are the best for pastorall ....'
--_p. 284_, a.
There is, however, further gratulation in that S. Christie-Miller, Esq.
has generously consented to the printing of Watson's _The Tears of
Fancy_, the unique copy of which forms one of the gems of his remarkable
collection at Britwell. Altogether, therefore, the Reprint will include
above 150 Sonnets, besides the Latin-English elegy _Meliboeus_.
The temporary loan of original editions greatly facilitates the work.
Gentlemen who may be willing so to trust the Editor are requested to
communicate with him a considerable time in advance of date of
publication.
The Series will continue perpetually on sale. Profit is sacrificed to
cheapness: and cheapness aimed at, in order that purchasers may acquire
not a few works simply, but the entire series. Every endeavour is made
that the selection shall be _representative_ of the national literature,
as well as varied and interesting in itself: while scrupulous care is
bestowed upon each book. It may not therefore be presumption to bespeak
unceasing co-operation on the part of all readers of English.
The Large Paper edition will be continued in the autumn.
All communications should be addressed to the undersigned.