S., W., Gentleman, editor,
Compendious or briefe examination, A, . . . (Continued, 1.)
L8oo1
The authorship of this tract is a vexed question. Anthony 4 Wood, in Fasti Oxonienses, under a notice of William Stafford (1554-1612), says, “Besides this Will. Stafford, was another . . . before him in time, author of A compendium, or brief examination of certain ordinary complaints .” Later Farmer attributed it to the younger Stafford. But William Danbarde possessed a manuscript copy in which he wrote, “Note that this book was published in print... by one W. S. in the yeare 1581; whearas it was long since penned by St Thomas Smythe ‘as some say), or, Mr Jhon Hales (as others thinke) ... And I... have long had this copie of it which I caused to be written Sut ... 1565.” Internal evidence seems to fix 1549 as the date of the original composition.
(Continued on the next card.]
This card was printcd at the Boston & Public Library, October 22, 1919. ~