Esop's Fables, Latin, in verse, for Wynkin de Worde, 1503, 4to. and once or twice afterwards. Terence, with the Comment of Badius Ascensius, for the same, 1504, 4to.-Virgil's Bucolics, for the same, 1512, 4to.; and again in 1533.-Tully's Offices, Latin and English, translated by Whittington, 1533, 4to. -One book only, Tully's Epistles, was produced during this period, by the University of Oxford; and that was at the expence of Cardinal Wolsey, without date, or printer's name. By Cambridge, not a single classic.

No Greek book had as yet appeared from an English press. In Linacer's translation of Galen de Temperamentis, printed at Cambridge in 1521, 4to. are found a few Greek words and abreviations, which are said to be the first Greek characters ever used in England. The book was printed by John Siberch, a friend of Erasmus, and a German, who stiles himself primus utriusque lingua in Anglia impressor. But he printed no entire Greek book. The introduc tion of Hebrew, Chaldee, Arabic types, &c was still later, and attended with more diffi culty.

It is observable, that most of the books printed by Caxton, were translated from the

French. From what has been already said, the reasons must be obvious. The knowledge of the learned languages was not sufficiently extended to make it the interest of the first printers to publish the classics. Besides, the attention of the whole reading world was pre-occupied by the more splendid and marvellous tales of chivalry; not to mention the superstition which pervaded all ranks, and which rendered such books as ordinals, confessionals, and particularly such as tended to encourage the liberal contributions of the faithful, more grateful to holy church, than the prophane lore of heathen authors.

Yet, even the illiteracy of the times was a circumstance favourable to English literature: for the multiplication of English books necessarily multiplied English readers; and these again produced more vernacular writers.

The reason why none of the existing translations of the Old and New Testament were printed, is explained by a passage of sir Thomas More; who says, "That on account of the penalties ordered by archbishop Arundel's constitution, though the old translations that were before Wicliffe's days, remained lawful, and were in some folks hands, had and read,

yet (he thought) no printer would lightly be so hot to put any bible in print, at his own charge, and then hang upon a doubtful trial, whether the first copy of his translation was made before Wicliffe's days, or since: for (says he,) if it be made since, it must be approved before the printing." This approbation, however; sir Thomas himself intimates, was not to be obtained.

FABIAN

ROBERT FABIAN, or FABYAN, was born in London, though in what particular year is not mentioned. Being brought up to trade, he became an opulent merchant, was ultimately chosen one of the aldermen of the city, and in the 9th of Henry VII. had the honour of being elected one of the sheriffs. He died in

1512.

For the period in which he florished, he was a man of some learning. In his knowledge of the Latin, he was excelled by no layman of his time. He likewise wrote poetry in English, Latin, and French; but his favourite pursuit was the study of history; and he compiled a Chronicle, by which his name has descended to posterity. Of this Chronicle, stiled, "The

Concordaunce of Stories," the following ac count is given in the Biographia Britannica:

"It was first printed in London, in 1516, fol. by R. Pynson, and afterwards by William Rastell, 1533, fol. in neat and small black types, and on good paper. At the conclusion of each part, there is a hymn to the Virgin Mary, (omitted in the following editions.) And at the end of all, Thus endeth Fabian's Chronicle. Printed by William Rastell, and fynyshed the laste daye of December, in the yere of our Lorde, M. V. C. and xxxiii.' There are also at the end five leaves, which bring down the hisfory to the beginning of king Henry VIII. but åre omitted in subsequent editions, particularly in one of the year 1559, now before us. The whole work is divided into two volumes: whereof the first begins at Brute, and ends at the death of our Henry II. and Philip II. king of France. The second volume, which is the most valuable of the two, contains the Chronicles of England and of France, from the beginning of the reign of king Richard I. until the end of the reign of Charles IX. of France; that is, till the year 1504, the 20th of king Henry VII. And it appears by the conclusion,