INDEX OF PERSONS OR AUTHORS

MENTIONED IN JONSON'S CONVERSATIONS.

LONDON:

F. SHOBERL, JUN., 51, RUPERT STREET, HAYMARKET,

PRINTER TO H. R. H. PRINCE ALBERT.

HELD ON THE 26th APRIL, 1842, AT THE ROOMS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE, No. 4, ST. MARTIN'S PLACE, CHARING CROSS.

At the close of the duties of the first Council of the Shakespeare Society, it may be proper to state briefly the object of the association, that it may be seen how far that object has been attained.

The illustration of the Life and Writings of our great Dramatist was the primary design in the formation of the Shakespeare Society; and in the original Prospectus it was stated that "every thing, whether derived from manuscript or printed sources, that would throw light on our Early Dramatic Literature and Stage," would also come within its purpose. With this view it was proposed not merely to print works which would directly elucidate some point in the biography of Shakespeare, or in the history of his productions, which works must necessarily be of comparatively rare occurrence, but others which would indirectly come in aid of such an undertaking. Thus, Old Plays, by the predecessors or contemporaries of Shakespeare, were pointed out as peculiarly appropriate: it was considered indisputable that few Tracts of the time by rival authors, adverting to existing manners and opinions, would fail in various respects to explain Shakespeare's character, plays, or poems; and the early publications, friendly or hostile to the

progress of Theatrical Amusements, would, of course, afford information in connection with the rise and progress of our Stage, and with its condition at the time when Shakespeare became an author and an actor.

The mention of the Works already issued by the Society will tend to shew in what manner and to what extent the Council has carried into effect the intention of its establishment; but it may be right, in the first place, to remark that the funds of an association of the kind must, in the outset, be unavoidably limited. When the full number of One Thousand Subscribers shall have been attained, it is obvious that the Council will be able to accomplish more, than in the present year they have had the means of attempting.

The volumes already issued are seven in number, making in the whole more than 1300 octavo pages; but it is to be observed that the last volume is not included in the first year's subscription. The following are the titles of the Publications of the Society, in the order in which they have come from the press.

1. MEMOIRS OF EDWARD ALLEYN, the Actor, Founder of Dulwich College, from original sources: with new information respecting Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Lodge, Dekker, Marston, and other contemporary Dramatists and Actors. By J. PAYNE COLLIER, ESQ., F.S.A.

2. THE SCHOOL OF ABUSE: containing a pleasant Invective against Poets, Pipers, Players, Jesters, &c. By STEPHEN GOSSON.. From the edition of 1579, compared with the impression of 1587.

3. AN APOLOGY FOR ACTORS, &c. By THOMAS HEYWOOD. From the edition printed by Nicholas Okes in 1612, compared with Cartwright's edition printed during the Civil Wars.

4. LUDUS COVENTRIÆ: a Collection of Mysteries, formerly represented at Coventry on the Feast of Corpus Christi. From a MS. in the British Museum of the Reign of Edward IV. Edited by JAMES

ORCHARD HALLIWELL, ESQ., F.R.S., F.S.A., &c.

5. THE DEBATE BETWEEN PRIDE AND LOWLINESS, pleaded in an Issue of Assize, &c. by FRANCIS THYNN. Imprinted at London by

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John Charlwood, &c. n.d. B.L. 8vo. This work is in verse, and is the original from which Robert Greene, the Dramatist, took his Quip for an Upstart Courtier," 1592, 4to.

6. THE PLEASANT COMEDY OF PATIENT GRISSELL. BY THOMAS DEKKER, HENRY CHETTLE, and WILLIAM HAUGHTON. 1603. With an introduction on the origin of the story, and its application to the Stage in various countries of Europe.

7. EXTRACTS FROM THE ACCOUNTS OF THE REVELS AT COURT IN THE REIGNS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH AND KING JAMES I., from the original Office Books of the Masters and Yeomen. duction and Notes, by PETER CUNNINGHAM, Esq.

With an Intro

Upon the manner in which these publications contribute, both immediately and incidentally, to the illustration of the Life and Writings of Shakespeare, it is unnecessary to enlarge; and to the preceding enumeration of Works already delivered to Members, may be added a list of those at present in the printer's hands, or which the Council has ordered for press, without more delay than is consistent with the convenience of the respective Editors.

1. NOTES OF BEN JONSON'S CONVERSATIONS WITH DRUMMOND OF HAWTHORNDEN, in the year 1619. Edited by DAVID LAING, Esq., F.S.A.

2. THE OLD PLAY OF TIMON OF ATHENS, which preceded that of Shakespeare, and from which he adopted the banquet scene, and other circumstances in his drama. from the original manuscript in his possession.

Edited by the Rev. ALEX. DYCE,

3. A COLLECTION OF ALL THE DOCUMENTS which have reference to the Events of Shakespeare's Life. The Will edited by SIR FREDERICK MADDEN, F.R.S., F.S.A., Keeper of the MSS. in the British Museum, with Fac-similes of the Signatures. The Marriage Licence, transcripts from the Registers at Stratford-upon-Avon, and all the other Documents, edited by JOHN BRUCE, Esq., F.S.A.

4. THE FIRST SKETCH OF SHAKESPEARE'S MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, printed in 1602, 4to., which has never been reprinted. To which will be added a collection of early tales, upon which the play is supposed to have been founded. Edited, with an introduction and notes, by J. O. HALLIWELL, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A., &c.