(Vol. v., p. 346.)
There appears to be a slight error in the Editor's reply to E. D.'s
Query respecting Ralph Winterton's translation of Gerard's _Meditations
and Prayers_. I have an earlier edition than that of 1631. It is dated
1627[3], printed at Cambridge by Thomas and John Bucke, and possesses no
less than four dedications, which throw some little, and rather curious
light on his history. The _first_, "To the Right Worsh. my most worthy
Friend and Benefactour, Mr. John Bowle, Doctor of Divinitie, and Deane
of Salisbury," in which he mentions "the fatherly care" he had
experienced from that divine, "when he was at Kensington, in the house
of that most vertuous and literate Lady, the Lady Coppen." "By your
indeficient liberalitie," he says, "all defects were supplyed, all
difficulties remooved, horses provided, a man appointed, and, _to
conclude_, by the grace of God, after many a troublesome and wearysome
step, to my rest I returned." The _second_ Dedication is, "To the Right
Worshipp. vertuous and learned Lady, the Lady Coppen, Mr R. Coppen, Mr
T. Coppen, her Sonnes; M'ris Elizabeth Coppen, her Daughter-in-Law, &c.,
Internall, Externall, Eternall Happiness." In this he records, that
"scarce had he entered her doores at Kensington, but he was saluted and
made welcome by a gentlewoman well deserving at his hands, whose name
must not be concealed, M'ris Francis Thorowgood, who hasted to carrie
news to your Ladyship. _Dixirat et dicto citius._ Hereupon your
Ladyship," he adds, "was pleased, out of hand, leaving all other
business, not to send to mee, but to descend yourself to mee; not so
much by the degrees of staires, as by a naturall inclination to show
your hospitality," &c.; and speaks of her as understanding "the
scholler's Languages as well as they that do profess them;" and as being
"highly honoured by Queene Elizabeth." The _third_ Dedication is "To the
Right Worship. my most munificent Friend, Sir John Hanburie, of Kelmash,
in Northamptonshire." The _fourth_, "To the Worsh. my very worthy
Friends, M'r William Bonham (of Paternoster Rowe, in London), and M'ris
Anne Bonham, his Wife, Mr. Nathaniell Henshawe, of Valence, in Essex;
M'r Benjamin Henshawe, of Cheapside, in London; and M'r Thomas Henshawe,
of Saffron Walden, in Essex." The _third_ Dedication is dated from
_Lutterworth_, in _Leicestershire_, May 10: the others from _King's
Coll._, June 12, 1627.