The life of Thomas Fuller, with notices of his books, his kinsmen, and his friends

Front matter

LIBRARY

OF THE

Theological Seminary,

Preface

UAINT OLD FULLER" are the epithets commonly applied to this prolific and entertaining writer. But they are not over-exact; for wit, and not quaintness, was, as Coleridge has said, " the stuff and substance of F idler's intellect; " and "old" must be taken as a fond or familiar expression (as in the phrase " Venerable Bede "), rather than in relation to his birthyear. As to the associations of the word "Fuller," there is scarcely an instance among the eminent Churchmen of his eventful age of a name which so rapidly passed out of view, and of which in our own day the otherwise well-informed have so vague a conception.

The present work " remembers the forgotten." It is the result of the study and research of the leisure hours of many years ; having given a subject for many a pleasant evening, and supplied a purpose to many a summer's holiday. It was originally undertaken out of admiration of the Life and Character of the very remarkable Man whom it concerns. The gradual accession of fresh material from neglected sources, has increased an unpretending memoir, as originally projected, to the present well-filled volume. It is now issued in the hope of modifying in some degree an assertion often justly made, — that the present age knows but little of the Life and Writings of one of our worthiest Worthies.

Born in the same year in which the patriot-poet Milton, and the historian Clarendon first saw the light, Fuller died immediately after the Restoration ; and his reputation was thus left to an age that in the main was at variance with the principles which he had advocated, he himself being branded as a Time-server, and his works, in common viii

PREFACE.

with his children and connections, passing out of notice. The attempts of those who have endeavoured, by their careful but imperfect Biographies and by the republication of some of his Works, to restore Fuller to the place he once occupied as a man of no mean honesty and as one of the most original Writers of his time, are respectively recorded in the Introductory Note {page xix. seq.) and in the Bibliography {page 713 seq.). In the former will be found the raison d'etre of the present Life ; for, notwithstanding the issue of three memoirs of F idler in three successive centuries, a full and adequate biography is a desideratum ; and there is ground for regret that some Cambridge scholar as well-beneficed, as kindly -witted, and as zealously antiquarian as the famous Cavalier Parson, has not given to the Church a worthy record of one of its illustrious ornaments.

The present attempted Life differs from all that have preceded it, in that it is for the most part autobiographic. The perusal of Fidler's charming Works, as voluminous as weighty, as witty as wise, indicated that in them the foundation of the Memoir must be laid. From his Good Thoughts in Bad Times, 1645, down to his Appeal of Injured Innocence, 1659, ^iave accordingly been derived numerous and important biographical facts, omitted in former memoirs, but now arranged in connection with the story of his life. Copious extracts are given from some of the lesser known or unique productions of his pen. Among the former are the Sermons Of Assurance {page 419 seq.), Of Contentment {page 422 seq.), &c, and the tract Truth Maintained {page 286 seq.), — pieces as happy and as characteristic as his better -known works. Of the unique pieces, the most noteworthy is the historically - important sermon preached at Oxford in 1644 before Charles I. and the Prince {published by special command), entitled Jacob's Vow, in reference to the famous Vow of the King to restore the Church lands {page 326 seq.).

Amongst the pamphlets deemed worthy of being printed verbatim is Fuller's terse political tract, An Alarum to the Counties of England and Wales, 1659 {page 657 seq.), which, though passing through three editions, is omitted, with much more of Fidler's literary work, from former biographies and bibliographies. Collateral documents of equal interest, such as the Petition of the Citie of Westminster to the King at Oxford, printed 1643 {page 267 seq.);

PREFACE.

ix the very rare Elegy on Fuller, by James Heathy 1661 {page 692), &c, have also found a place.

Other sources of information have been carefully and successfully examined. Tradition, parochial and episcopal registers, funeral monuments, and wills, have in turn furnished additional material for the Biography ; while the national archives at the State Paper Office, the Registers of Stationers' Hall, and the MS. collections at the British Museum, the Bodleian, the Cambridge University Library, &c, have, by informative documents ad rem, tended further to increase the interest and add to the freshness of the record. To the learned Custodians of these valuable literary stores, as well as of other public libraries in London, Manchester, and elsewhere, the Author expresses his thanks for ready access, as also for obliging attention on the part of the gentlemen connected with them.

A multiplicity of biographical items and details have also been derived from a diligent examination of contemporary literature, not the least important of which are the poems or letters addressed to Fuller by Barksdale (p. 502), by one of the Authors of Choyce Drollery (p. 553, discovered by W. H. Turner, Esq., of the Bodleian), by Robert Baillie (p. 492), by Thomas Forde {p. 585), &c. There have also been added other new items not heretofore mentioned in connection with the Life of F idler — as, e.g., the part he played in the Convocation of 1640 (chap, viii.); his intercourse with the Savoy and other London parishes (chap. ix. et seq.); his resort to Basing House (chap, xi.) and to Exeter (chap xii.) ; his literary rivalry with Lightfoot (p. 489) ; the censure passed on him by Fox the Quaker {p. 522) ; Barnard's droll notice of his interview with the Lord Keeper Fiennes (p. 570) ; his conversation with Izaak Walton about the wit in the Church-History {p. 581 seq.) ; the lengthy and recognisable mention of him in Dr. South's speech as Terrae-fdius at the Oxford Act of 1657 {p. 611 seq.); &c. &c.

The new light which has been thrown upon Fuller's life unravels the curious relation which " that stout Church- and-King man Tom Fuller" {Coleridge), after an active military service in Cavalier armies and garrisons, bore to the Governments of the Interregnum while yet he maintained his ground amongst the Royalists.

Fidler's Works are passed under review in special chapters, the commendations or censures of the Critics not being overlooked. The full

X

PREFACE.

and novel Bibliography contains important corrections and additions, with further brief criticisms.

On the principle that Noscitur e sociis, great attention has been paid to the many celebrated Scholars who, as the friends or associates of F idler, were in his day connected with Cambridge, London, and the diocese of Sarum. The work also contains full notices of other friends : in particular, of Sir Ralph Hopton, of Sir John D'Anvers and his family, of Dr. Heylyn, and of the noblemen by whom Fuller was patronised.

In consequence of the mistakes that have frequently been made in regard to the personality of Fuller, it has been thought necessary to bring into prominence his kinsmen and namesakes. Among them will be found accounts of Nicholas Fuller, the Biblical critic (with some interesting inedited family letters from the Bodleian) ; of Nicholas Fuller, the Lawyer ; of Dr. William Fuller, the Dean of Ely ; of Dr. William Fuller, the Bishop of Lincoln; of Dr. Thomas Fuller, the A rchbishop of Cashel ; of Dr. Thomas Fuller, of Christ's College, Cambridge, &c. &c; with family notes. Fuller's uncle, Bp. Tounson, is referred to at length; as also is Dr. Davenant, Fuller's uncle and patron, whose will {given in extenso at p. 214) is curiously illustrative of his care lest he should deny the faith, and be thought worse than an infidel (1 Tim. v. 8).

The very full and exact pedigree of the Davenant-F idler -Tounson families is mainly the work of that laborious and skilful herald Colonel Chester, who, besides searching his collections for the missing marriage-register of Thomas Fuller, and the death-register of his father, gave the benefit of his advice on other matters.

There only remains the pleasing duty of expressing my hearty acknowledgments to all who have given their aid in the project. In Fuller I found everywhere a talisman which brought forth favoured communications and treasured volumes. I refer with gratitude elsewhere to those whose co-operation has helped to clear up particidar points. More general thanks are due to others. From Geo. W. Napier, Esq., of Alderley Edge, I have from the first received the kindest encouragement. To his exact knowledge of the Literature and History of the seventeenth century, no less than to his .valuable library, the present work owes much. B. H. Beedham, Esq., of Kimbolton, the author of the interesting Notices of

PREFACE.

XI

Archbishop Williams, and the Editor of the Correspondence between Williams and the Marquis of Ormond, has also displayed the kindliest interest in the work. Through his valuable suggestions and well-directed inquiries, many obscure matters have been made clear. Copies of the rarest of Fuller's tracts have been courteously intrusted to me from the library of Edward Riggall, Esq., of Bayswater, who has also benefited the Memoir in many other ways. Professor Mayor, of Cambridge, who is not more exact in antiquarian lore than generous in imparting it, gave me a budget of useful notes, I also express my indebtedness for several favours at tfc hands of the worthy President of the Chetham Society, whose name, as the author of the valuable Essay on Fuller in The Retrospective Review, has been omitted by Lowndes, Allibone, &c. Mr. W. H. Turner, of the Bodleian, the careful Editor of the Harleian Visitations of Oxfordshire, discovered many important items brought forward in the Biography ; and to the keen interest he has evinced in the subject, as well as to his professional skill and knowledge of the past, I am greatly indebted.

A special value has been imparted to the Bibliography from the fact that it has been in the hands of many who, possessing copies of Ftriler's rare works, have examined the articles descriptive of them. In this connection it would be ungrateful to omit to mention the carefid attention the matter has received from B. H. Beedham, Esq.; E. Riggall, Esq. ; H. H. Gibbs, Esq. ; the Rev. T. L. 0. Davies, M.A . ; Mr. Thomas Kerslake ; Dr. Laing, of the Signet Library ; H. A. Whitney, Esq., of Boston, U.S.; G. W. Napier, Esq.; and Mr. B. M. Pickering.

Special acknowledgments are due to the Misses Allport, who kindly lent the two plates from which have been taken the portraits of Bishop Davenant, a Prelate whose memory was held in great veneration by their father, the late Rev. Josiah Allport. The frontispiece of 11 the great Tom Fuller''' is due to the courtesy of Lord Fitz-Hardinge, at whose mansion the original is still preserved. His lordship kindly permitted the painting to be copied for the purpose required ; and the drawing was made under the care of Mr. C. F. Kell, who also executed the tinted chalk drawings and the greater portion of the other plates. My friend R. H. Watt, Esq., of Manchester, sketched the artistic drawings of the churches of xii

PREFACE.

Aldwincle St. Peter's (page 23), Broadwindsor, and Waltham Abbey; and J. F. F idler, Esq., of Dublin, whose successful researches into the heraldry of the family constitute him an authority on that subject, contributed the view of Aldwincle St. Peter's Church at page 27.

I am further under feelings of obligation to many Heads of Colleges for courtesies in reference to extracts from Registers, &c. ; to the Delegates of the Clarendon Press for permission to use three initial armorial letters from their edition of Fuller's Church- History; to the Stationers' Company, and to their clerk, Mr. J. Greenhill, for permission to examine their Registers for the dates, &c. of Fuller's works ; to the Rev. H. R. Luard, M.A., for fac-similes of Fidler's signatures at the Cambridge Registry ; and to James Hussey, Esq., who examined the marriage-registers at Salisbury. I am also a debtor for divers other favours from the Rev. F. G. Batho, M.A . ; Professor J. S. Brewer, the Editor of Fuller's Church-History; the present and former Editors of Notes and Queries, and to many of its contributors ; the Rev. H. W. Hickes, M.A., Rector of Cranford ; the Rev. W. J. Hall, M.A., of St. Clement's, Eastcheap ; the Rev. F. P. Napier, B.A., of Richmond ; Professors Wilkins and Ward, of the Owens College ; the Rev. A. T. Russell, B.C.L.; the Rev. W. D. Macray, M.A.; W. H. Overall, Esq., F.S.A. ; Professor Newth, of the Withington College; the Rev. A. B. Grosart ; Wm. Booth, Esq., of Cornbrook; the Rev. H. T. Ellacombe, M.A.; W. C. Hazlitt, Esq.; W. Winters, Esq. ; and W. P. Courtney, Esq., of Westminster. I was greatly assisted in the preparation of the indices, &c. by my very kind friend, Mr. A. B. Garside. Finally, the work has been throughout furthered in no small degree by the co-operation of my devoted wife.

Should any new facts in relation to Fuller's Life come to light, they shall be added in an abridged Memoir of Fuller appended to the Edition of his collected Sermons, in two vols., now in preparation. The names of subscribers to these volumes will be received by the Publishers.

J. E. B.

Stretford, Manchester, August, 1874.

Contents

xix xxiii i

PAGE

Preface vii

Fuller's Biographers

Fuller's Critics

Chap. I. The Fuller Kindred

II. The Aldwincles and the Parson of St. Peter"s. (1602-15)

III. Fullers Boyhood. (1616-21)

Note : Robert Brown

IV. Student Life : Queens' College, Camb. (162 1-9) 73

V. Student Life : Sydney-Sussex College. First

VI. " Matches with the Muses." Advancement in

VII. Country Parson. "The Holy War." (1634-39)... 152

VIII. Clerk in Convocation. Family Events. (1640-41) 182 Note : Bishop Davenant's Will 214

IX. "The Holy State." Sermons at the Savoy, &c.

Note : The Petition for Peace 267

X. Refugee at Oxford. "Truth Maintained." (1643) 270

XI. Cavalier Parson. Basing House and Oxford.

XII. The Siege of Exeter. "Good Thoughts in Bad

XIII. "Good Thoughts in Worse Times." (June 1646— xiv CONTENTS.

PAGE

Chap. XIV. Wandering Divine. (1647-49) 4°4

XV. Curate of Waltham Abbey. (1649-50) 438

Note : The Fullers of Stebbing (Essex), &c 462

XVI. " A PlSGAH-SlGHT OF PALESTINE," " ABEL REDEVIVUS,"

XVII. Lecturer at London. Minor Works. (1651-54) 508

Note A : The Fullers of Kerry, &c 547

Note B: Wm. Fuller the Informer and Impostor ... 550

XVIII. "The Church-History of Britain." (1655) ... 552

XIX. " Serving the Time" a°rd " Serving the Lord."

(1655-58) 589

Note A: Wm. Fuller, Bishop of Lincoln 622

Note B: The Fuller Family in 1659 624

XX. " The Appeal of Iniured Innocence." (1659) ••• 625

XXI. "Contemplations in Better Times." Fuller's

XXII. "The Worthies of England." (1662) 697

XXIII. Bibliography 713

Appendix 763

Indices 779

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Dr. Thomas Fuller, after the original painting in possession of Lord Fitz-

Hardinge To face Title-page.

Arms of Nicholas Fuller, Counsellor-at-law io

Arms of Douse Fuller of Hampshire vii. and 1 1

Book-plate of J. F. Fuller, Esq., showing the Fuller Arms 14

Portrait of Thomas Fuller, M.D to face 16

Arms of Hamond Ward, and Richard Fuller of London 17

Aldwincle St. Peter's Church. R. H. Watt, Esq to face 23

Ditto, West View. J. F. Fuller, Esq ,, 27

Ditto, Plan of the Glebe, Church, &c. Jos. Wood, Esq „ 31

Portrait of John Foxe. From Fuller's Abel Redevivus 54

Monument to Mrs. Davenant at Aldwincle St. Peter's to face 56

Arms of Bishop Tounson 66

Bishop Davenant, after the picture formerly in possession of the late Rev. J.

Allport to face 77

Autograph of Fuller in 1624-5 88

Ditto (supposed) in 1660 or 1661 108

St. Bene't's Church, Cambridge. Two views to face 115

Monument to Mrs. Tounson at Salisbury Cathedral „ 146

Broadwindsor Church, Dorsetshire. R. H. Watt, Esq ,, 155

Autograph of Fuller in 1635 161

Monument to Denys Rolle, Esq., at Bicton Church to face 164

Arms of Richard Seymere 170

Fac-simile of the Title-page of Fuller's " History of the Holy

War" to face 174

Monument to Bishop Davenant at Salisbury Cathedral ,, 207

XVI

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Bishop Davenant, after the original picture in Queens' College, Cambridge

to face 210

The Savoy Chapel, London

Fac-simile of Hollar's View of Basing House, Hampshire

Ditto of Fuller's Petition for Composition in 1646

Ditto of the Plan of Jerusalem in the " Pisgah-Sight "

Waltham Abbey Church. R. H. Watt, Esq

Fac-simile of the Title-page of the "Pisgah-Sight"

Ditto of the Plate of Arms in the "Pisgah-Sight" ...

Portrait of Fuller, from " Abel Redevivus," 1651

Portrait of William Fuller, the Impostor

Cranford Church, Middlesex

Portrait of Fuller, from Tegg's Reprints

Ditto FROM THE ANONYMOUS " LlFE," l66l-2 to face

Seal of Bishop William Fuller ... .»

Autograph of Bishop William Fuller

Monument to Fuller in Cranford Church to face

Fac-simile page of the "Holy State," with Portrait of Camden ,,

*## The pedigree (4 pp.) is to be inserted between pp. 34 and 35.

ERRATA, ETC.

3^

" Far be it from me to pretend my dimme eyes more quick sighted than St. Bernard's."

{Worthies, chap. xxv. p. 78.)

PAGE

2 line 6 : for "dusty " read " dus/£y."

6 last line of text: for "fatal" Southey has "fat*/." (See his amusing chapter

on the matter, Doctor, p. 291, and infrh, 619.) 10 line 5 from bottom: "hospitable" should be "hospita/" as in orig. The

modern editor made the alteration. 12 note, 2nd col., line 3 : for " 1636 " read " March 23, 1636-7." 26 note, 1st col., line 8 : for " Hantingdon " read " Huntingdon." 29 line 5 : for "Ti/chmarsh" read "Tichmarsh."

34, 37. As will be seen from the Pedigree, Judith and Margaret Davenant were both very young widows at the time of their marriages with Thomas Fuller the elder, and Dr. Tounson, respectively.

35 line 13: for "Tryer" (so given by Russell) read "Frear," as in the pedigree,

36 seq. : the more correct spelling of the Townson surname is To?mson, which is

followed in the pedigree and index.

46 The baptism of Thomas Fuller is already noted at p. 36.

47 note, 1st col., line 9 : for " quadrennium" read " quadr/ennium," and delete' the

comma in the last line.

56 lines 23, 24 : delete from " those" to " Bray." Qy. whose arms are indicated? The lions on the monument are red.

67 line 16: for "1609" read "1620 {Reg. Abbot, and Composition for First-fruits)."

76 line 13 from bottom : for "Abbot/" read "Abbot."

79 line 26 : delete the inverted commas.

82 note, 2nd col., line 4 : for "abshrd" read " absz^rd."

94 line 3 from bottom ; p. 95, line 4 ; and in the pedigree, p. 135 : for " Lacham " read " Lac-£ham."

104 line 20 : this Dr. Reynolds is Dr. Reynolds of the Abel Redevivus. See infra,

p. 494, and Index, § I. 107 line 3 of note : for " Duke " read " Earl." no line 5 : for "-renter" read "-renter." in line 21 : for "brother" read "son."

in line 26 : after " chaplains " read : " who is mentioned in the Worthies (§ Yorksh. p. 213) with Fuller's commendations." The remaining part of the sentence belongs to Jeremy White, also Cromwell's chaplain. See pp. 468, 469.

112 line 35 : for "affected" read "wrote."

xviii ERRATA, ETC.

PAGE

116 line 6 : the "Cambridge Camden Soc." is meant. The bell-inscription in the next few lines is given with variations in Raven's Church Bells of Cambridgeshire, p. 7 of Inscriptions. 120 line 7 from bottom : for " Cantabrigia " read " Cantabrigwr." 132 line 13: Horace's words are " Naturam expellas furca tamen usque recurret:" " Drive Nature forth by force, she'll turn and rout The false refinements that would keep her out."

Epis. I. x. 24.

135 line 5 : for " Henry Lord Mountagu, " &c. read " Henry Baron Kimbolton." 139 line 17 : for "poem" read "pun."

143 last line of note : for "wrote" read " translated Thorius's poem." 148 lines 13 to 15 : after "name." delete the three lines. 180 line 5 : delete the comma between Nicetas and Choniates. 187 last line ; and 280 line 1 : for "Lyttleton" read "Littleton." 191 line 3 from bottom : for " Mr." read " Rev. T." 223 line 7 : for " Sunday" read " Sundry."

258 line 9 from bottom : this date is given wrongly on Fuller's title-pages ; it should

be July 26th. See p. 721. 305 line 15 : for "turned" read "tuned."

325 lines 15 and 17 : for "fact " and " is" read " facts " and " are."

387 line 15: for "county" read "country."

405 line 9 from bottom : delete "of" before "my."

417 line 10 from bottom : place the first bracket after "he."

437 last line but one of note : before " or " add "t;"

443 line 11 : insert "friend" before "Master." The reference is at page 221.

466 line 10 from bottom ; and 731 last line but one : for "Beadham" read "Be<?dham."

496 note, last line : for " Noo " read " Two."

514 line 6 from bottom : for " Hackett " read " Hacket."

543 line 4 : for "secret" read "secrete."

614 line 20 : delete "we see."

629 line 26 : This Dr. Bernard is Nicholas Bernard, D.D., mentioned at page 648. He had been ordained by Ussher, in whose defence he wrote.

758 add : % 29 "Epigrams by Mr. Tho : ffuller" on blank pages (pp. 73-96) of a 2nd. Edition of Crashaw's Steps to the Temple, 1648 ; now in possession of H. H. Gibbs, Esq. The Epigrams are in manuscript, but not in Fuller's handwriting. (See The Life, pp. 132-3.)

In the early chapters there are a few errors in the foot-references to one or two of the later chapters, it having been found necessary in printing to displace parts of the latter.

E R R A T A

E T C

XIX line 12 : for " Granville " read " Granville. "

346 lines 14 and 15 : omit the sentence about White and the Wesleys. It was the

daughter of John White, the Ceniurist, who married Westley. 558 line 5 : add inverted commas after " more."

575 add, in reference to Selden : "From whom I have, with the children of the Prophets, not only borrowed an axe, but most of the tools and timber wherewith the structure of this our Jewish Pantheon is erected." — Fuller's Pisgah-Sighl, iv. 136.

595 note 5 : dele "numbered 2 and 3," and insert "in line 17, and in line 6 from

bottom."

762 The Rev. Tho. Hunter, of the Dr. Williams Library, London, has obligingly informed me that the collection under his care contains several of Fuller's rare pieces, viz. : § 1, 2 (ist ed.), 3, 4 (2nd ed.), 5, 6, 7, 11, 15 (2nd ed.), &c.

787 third col., line 20 from bottom : add " 9)."

791 first col., line 29 : for " 455 " read " 445."

797 second col., line 19 : for "criticism" read "critism."

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

FULLER'S BIOGRAPHERS.

The first or anonymous biography of Fuller passed through the following editions : —

IT i. 1661 : London Edition : €f)e Lift Of Cfmt IRetiCtCnD

Otime, and Learned Historian, Dr. Thomas Fuller. ' Si Post Fata venit Gloria, sic propcro,1 Mart. London, Printed for J. W. H. B. and H. M. 1661. i2mo. Port. pp. vi. + 106 + vi.— G. W. Napier, Esq. (with autograph, " Tobias Parnell ex dono Dm Richard Kinsey, Clerici. Maii x. 1662.") ; Bodl. (Wood, 292, without portrait) ; Brit. Mus. (Granville Lib.).

1662 : Oxford Edition : The Life and Death of That Reverend Divine and Excellent Historian, Doctor Thomas Fvller. ' Si post Fata venit Gloria, sic propter] Mart. Oxford : Printed and are to be sold at the Royall Exchange and Westminster-Hall, 1662. With a deep mourning border. Pp. as before. Bodl. (Tanner 637, with autograph, " Thorn. Tanner " ; no portrait).

1662: Another edition of foregoing, "propter" being altered to " propero." Oxford: Printed for R. Hopton, and are to be Sold at the Royal Exchange, Westminster Hall, and Fleet Street. 1662. Pp. as before. Bodl. (no portrait). This tract, according to the preface, u pretends not to be any of his least and inconsiderable Relique, and it doth alike justifie it self from being his Legend; meerly the worth of so deserving a person (which no pen hath yet undertook or attempted) for civilities sake, hath obliged this essay." It was issued anonymously, and was evidently the work of an ardent admirer of

b

XX

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

Fuller ; one, moreover, who must have attached himself to Fuller during the latter part of his life, since the early part is inaccurately told. Though we may apply the writer's own words — " mass and indigestedness " — to many parts of his production, it yet contains numerous minute particulars, such as the sketch of Fullers person and character, not elsewhere recorded ; and it has formed the basis of all subsequent memoirs. It is usually set down at " fancy " prices in the book-catalogues, the addition of a coarsely-executed portrait, given in fac-simile at page 621 infra, greatly enhancing its value.

The " Life " has only once been reprinted, viz. : —

1845 : Oxford : In The Church-History (pp. i.-lii.), edited by Rev. J. S. Brewer. With notes. The last-mentioned edition was followed.

"It was thought that a biography, written by a contemporary, was likely to be more interesting to the reader, than any more recent memoir, notwithstanding its numerous affectations and occasional obscurity of style. Besides its value, as an accurate summary of events, it is important in this respect, as showing the estimation in which Fuller was held by some of his contemporaries ; and how little that estimation was affected by the disparaging remarks of his opponents." (Preface.)

" It has served as the treasury to which all succeeding writers have resorted : it was evidently written by one who knew and valued him, and many minute traits of his character are related in a pleasant naive manner." (Knight, Cabinet Port. Galiery, § Life of Fuller, vol. vii. p. 59.)

11 2. 1750 : The Life of Fuller in the IBtOjrapfria TStttatV'

niCft > or the Lives of the most Eminent Persons of Great Britain and Ireland. 1747-66. Fol. seven vols. A new edition was issued in 1777-93, but five volumes only were printed, which did not reach Fuller's name. This Life (vol. iii. 2049-69) was one of the twenty-two lives contributed by the laborious Oldys. It is mainly founded on the anonymous Life. Many dates were added ; and passages quoted show that the writer took the trouble to read carefully Fuller's chief works — a labour that procured Fuller the affectionate regard of his biographer, who thus concludes the Life : " As our author bestowed so much time and pains in illustrating so many lives and characters of others ; thus much, at least, we hope cannot be here thought redundant by candid and grateful readers in commemoration of himself." In a small volume of collected lives, &c. described (in N. &= Q., 3rd Ser. ii. 381) as once Oldys's, two of them, viz. a Life of Milton and the Anonymous Life of Fuller, have the antiquary's notes. The editor of N. &r* O. says : " The notes on the Anonymous Life of the latter facetious historian have been used by Oldys in his article contributed to the Biogra-

FULLER 'S BIOGRAPHERS.

xxi phia Britannic a. On the back of the title-page is the following MS. note : 1 This life finished for the Biog. Brit, in June 1750, printed 25 June by Rich. Reily. — W. O.'" Of the article itself, Bolton Corney {Disraeli's Cicr. of Lit. Illustrated, p. 124), observes : "The account of Fuller is compiled with peculiar care ; and affords a remarkable proof of the extent to which the writings of an author may be made contributive to his biography."

" Oldys has given everything which his utmost diligence could discover : it is a full honest piece of joinery, but terribly dull." (Knight, ut anted).

" A good Life of Tom Fuller would be an acquisition to our biographical literature. Oldys, no doubt, made the most of his materials in the Biog. Brit." {Notes and Queries, 1854, 1st Ser. x. 245.)

At the end of the Malone (Bodleian) copy of the Worthies (which, § Dorset, p. 290, contains a pedigree of the Oldys family) are Oldys's notes of books to be consulted for writing the life of Fuller, about two dozen sources of information being indicated. All of them have been examined for the present biography. Father Courayer's Validity of the English Ordination, one of the books named, does not seem to refer to Fuller. Oldys shrewdly notes, as one source of information, " Extracts concerning himself in his own writings ; " and another authority is " My addition of the dates of all his works in the catalogue of them, printed at the end of his Life in i2mo. as I have inserted them in my copy."