translation of all Ovid's Elegies by the former writer, and forty-five epigrams by the latter. There is no date on the title page; but it must have been published before the 1st of June, 1599, as Marlow's translation of the Elegies was so strongly tainted with the licentious profligacy of the original, that the volume was burnt at Stationers' Hall, in pursuance of an order then made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of London.

Of a Gull.

Oft in my laughing rimes I name a Gull,

But this new terme will many questions breede: Therefore at first I will expresse at full,

Who is a true and perfect Gull indeed. A Gull is he who feares a velvet gowne,

And when a wench is brave dares not speake to her:

A Gull is he which traverseth the towne,

And is for marriage knowne a common woer;
A Gull is he, which while he proudly weares
A silver-hilted rapier by his side,

Indures the lyes and knockes about the eares,

Whilst in its sheath his sleeping sword doth bide. A Gull is he which weares good handsome cloathes; And stands in presence stroaking up his hayre; And filles up his imperfect speech with oathes,

But speakes not one wise word throughout the yeare. But to define a Gull in terms precise,

L

A Gull is he which seemes and is not wise.

Meditations of a Gull.

See yonder melancholie gentleman,

Which, hoode-winked with his hat, alone doth sit;

Think what he thinkes, and tell me if you can,
What great affaires troubles his little wit.
He thinks not of the war 'twixt France and Spaine,
Whether it be for Europe's good or ill;
Nor whether the Empire can itselfe maintaine
Against the Turkish pow'r encroaching still;
Nor what great towne in all the Netherlands
The States determine to besiege this spring;
Nor how the Scottish policy now stands,

Nor what becomes of the Irish mutining.—
But he doth seriously bethinke him whether,

Of the gulled people he be more esteem'd For his long cloake, or his great blacke feather, By which each Gull is now a gallant deem'd. Or of a journey he deliberates,

To Paris Garden, cock-pit or the play,

Or how to steal a dog he meditates,

Or what he shall unto his mistresse say :

Yet with those thoughts he thinkes himselfe most fit,
To be of counsell with a King for wit.

ADMIRAL VERNON AND THE

MARLBOROUGH.

DUCHESS OF

ADMIRAL VERNON, whom Lord Byron in the opening canto of Don Juan, has stigmatized as "the Butcher," became a popular favourite after his capture of Porto Bello, in November, 1739. In the following year, the anniversary of his birth day, namely, November the 12th, was kept in the City, and indeed throughout England, with great rejoicings, bonfires, &c. and "such illumination of houses, as scarce was known to be before in memory of any one." On

that occasion the Duchess Dowager of Marlborough presented two does to the Lord Mayor, and one doe to each Sheriff, for the purpose of feasting their friends; and on the 1st of January following, his Lordship and the Sheriffs waited upon the Duchess at her house in St. James's to return their acknowledgments.

-"She received us," says Mr. Hoare, in the MS. Journal already quoted, “in her usual manner, sitting up in her bed, and expressed much satisfaction for the compliment and great honour, as she said, we had done her, in returning our thanks; and after an hour's conversation upon indifferent matters, we retired."

The Gentleman's Magazine for the same year, states that Vernon's birth-day was distinguished in a very extraordinary manner, by ringing of bells and public dinners in many places; and in the evening by the greatest rejoicings, bon-fires and illuminations in London and many other cities that had been known for many years. "Don Blass was burnt in some places, and at Chancery-lane end was a pageant, whereon was represented Admiral Vernon, and a Spaniard on his knees offering him a sword, a view of Porto Bello, &c. Over the Admiral was written, Venit, vidit, vicit, and under him, Vernon semper viret."

PROVISIONS IN QUEEN ELIZABETH'S REIGN.

THE general prices of provisions, &c. in London, in the latter part of Elizabeth's reign, may be estimated from the under-written items, which form a portion

of an old household account for the years 1594 and 1595, belonging to an inhabitant of the Parish of St. Michael Bassishaw.

1594.

Paid unto Thomas Francis, his quarter's wages, due March 25th

£ s. d.

O 13 4

068

Paid to Margeret Jurden, as aforesaid
Paid 26th of March, for 104lb. of butter, re-
ceived out of Gloucestershire, whereof 16lb.
at 3d. ob. the pound, and the rest at 3d. the lb. 1
For salte for the said butter
Paid for carriage of the said butter, from Bristol
to London

Paid 29th of Marche, for a fore-quarter of

0 1

2

O 13 6

For a dozen of pigeons

For 28 eggs

Paid April 6th, to Mr. Sterie, for 3 pecks of fine

2

60

0 10

4

0 10

0 5

0 6

99

1 6

0 0 3

Half a pecke of filbirdes, August 19
Half a hundred of oranges, Feb. 9, 1595

WALK OF ROBIN CONSCIENCE THROUGH LONDON.

THE satirical ballad of “ Robin Conscience, or Conscionable Robin, in his progress through Court, City and Country," which was first published at Edinburgh in 1683, and has been since printed in the "Harleian Miscellany," contains many local particulars of this city, some of which possess considerable interest. The piece itself, is too long for insertion here, but an analysis with extracts will afford both amusement and information.

Robin Conscience is represented as relating his own adventures, and the ill-treatment and rebuffs which he constantly met with on telling his name. He says,―

"I first of all went to the Court
Where lords and ladies did resort,
My entertainment there was short

Cold welcome!

As soon as e'er my name they heard,
They ran away full sore afear'd,

And thought some goblin had appear'd

From hell come:"

Being banished from Court, he went to Westminster

Hall, but was treated with equal indignity by the lawyers: