"Dost thou think because thou art virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale ?" SHAKSPEARE. A NEW EDITION. FREDERICK LONDON: WARNE AND CO. BEDFORD STREET, COVENT GARDEN. NEW YORK: SCRIBNER, WELFORD AND ARMSTRONG. 270. g. 476. ADVERTISEMENT. "MERRIE ENGLAND IN THE OLDEN TIME" having found favour with the Public in Bentley's Miscellany puts forth new attractions in the present volume. It has received numerous and important corrections and additions; the story has been illustrated by Messrs. Leech and Robert Cruikshank; and facsimiles, by Mr. Thomas Gilks, of rare and unique portraits of celebrated Players, Jesters, Conjurers, and Mountebanks, exhibit "lively sculptures" of once popular drolls and wizards that shook the sides and "astonished the nerves of our jovial-hearted and wondering forefathers. To supply the antiquarian portion of "Merrie England," a library and a collection of prints and drawings of a highly curious and recherché character have been resorted to; and, though the task of concentrating and reducing into moderate compass such ample materials has not been an easy one, "The labour we delight in physics pain." This, and a large share of public approval, have made it a "labour of love." In that part which is purely fiction the characters can best speak for themselves. CANONBURY, October, 1841. |