JOHN STOWE

In the *Gentleman's Magazine*, vol. vii., new series, p. 48., is a clever notice of the life and works of the venerable John Stowe. It says:— "The biographers have affirmed that he quitted his trade; but there is nothing to authorize that assertion in what he says himself upon the subject." In the preface to an edition of the *Summarie for the Year* 1575, now in my possession, Stowe says:— "It is nowe x yeres, since I (seeing the confuse order of our late englishe Chronicles, and the ignorant handling of aunciet affaires) leaning myne own peculiar gains, coscerated my selfe to the searche of o…