"Choice, Chance and Change" (1606) or Glimpses of "Merry England": In the Olden Time

by Rev. Alexander B. Grosart

Overview

From the INTRODUCTION.

IN my Memorial-Introduction to the Works of NICHOLAS BRETON I thus wrote: - "An anonymous book that internally seems out-and-out Bretonese is the following: - "Choice, Chance and Change: or Conceits in their Colours." 1606. As I read and re-read this singularly brilliant and unforgettable manners-painting book, I felt here was the 'fine Roman hand' of Breton. But seeing that there is no external authority for giving it to him, I reluctantly decided not to include it among his Works, but rather perhaps find a place for it among my Occasional Issues." (Vol. i., pp. lxxiii-iv.)

I still think that there are phrases and turns of expression and allusions and recurring words, that point to Breton as the author of Choice, Chance, and Change. But I am bound to add, that the general style is less formed and the specific wording less finished than Breton's; while the playing on - Will of Wit and other well-known phrases (pp. 29, 32, 50) may be accounted for by his popularity and influence on the Writer. It is assigned to Breton in the BODLEIAN CATALOGUE; but without an authority being given.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781663512727
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	06/04/2020
Pages:	94
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.23(d)

About the Author

Rev. Alexander B.Grosart (18 June 1827 – 16 March 1899) was a Scottish clergyman and literary editor. He is chiefly remembered for reprinting much rare Elizabethan literature, a work which he undertook because of his interest in Puritan theology. His Occasional Issues of Unique and Very Rare Books (1875–1881) included among other things the Annalia Dubrensia of Robert Dover. In 1876 still another series, known as the “Chertsey Worthies Library,” was begun. It included editions of the works of Nicholas Breton, Francis Quarles, Dr Joseph Beaumont, Abraham Cowley, Henry More and John Davies of Hereford. The two last-named series were being produced simultaneously until 1881, and no sooner had they been completed than Grosart began the “Huth Library,” so-called from the bibliophile Henry Huth, who possessed the originals of many of the reprints.