Volume 2

Bibliographical notes on histories of inventions and books of secrets : Six papers read to the Archæological society of Glasgow April 1882-January 1888 / by John Ferguson.

John Ferguson

Date:: 1895-1915

Credit: Bibliographical notes on histories of inventions and books of secrets : Six papers read to the Archæological society of Glasgow April 1882-January 1888 / by John Ferguson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

265/408 (page 57)

$The editions of this work in the Museum are the following: [B.M. 1037. e. 1. (2.)] the I WIDDOWES | Treafure. \ Plentifully furnifhed with fundry | precious and ap- proued fecrets in Phi- | ficke and Chirurgery, for the | health and pleafure of | Mankinde. | Heereunto are adioyned, fundry prit- [ tie practifes and conclufions of Coo- | kerie, with many profitable and ivholfome | Medicines, for fundrie difeafes in | Caltell. | at LONDON, | Printed by I. Roberts for Edward | White. 1595. | Small 8°. A to F in eights. No pagination. Black letter, except the title, the address, the running title, and headings of the receipts, in roman. The address to the reader is such an excellent example of how to avoid giving a clear explanation about any matter, and is couched in such quaint language, that, at the cost of prolixity, I reproduce it in full: To the Curteous Reader. This Pamphlet being written (not many yeeres past as it should seeme) at the earnest request and sute of a Gentlewoman in the Countrie for her priuate vse, which by these singuler practises hath obtained such fame, that her name shal be remembered for euer to the posteritie. The originall Copie (by great chaunce) was lent me by an especiall friend of mine, in the perusing whereof I found it so furnished with such rare experiments and prittie conceites, as the like are not to my knowledge extant in the English tongue. I thought it my dutie for the health and pleasure of many my friends, to set them forth to the view of the world, to be practised, especially of those that take delight in such matter, or hath any occasion through their defects to vse them for their healthes sake. This I dare presume to reporte of the worke that there are heerein included very many secrets, that I knowe by the Widdowes owne practise, to be most singuler & approued, and though perhappes they are not orderly set downe as many of better skill might have done : I desire you to consider that this was of the collection of such a one as neuer once thought to have made them common, but onely to his good friend M. R. This caueat she also giueth by the way, to reade them aduisedly & practise with discretion, and as you finde comend : and so with all humilitie conclud- ing, I dedicate vnto you this her Treasure and cheife Iewell, desiring you to be a defence aswell for her as for me, from all such as shall in your hearing scorne her, or me for disclosing such profitable experiments. Farwell. From the wording of this address the writer of it is apparently the responsible editor, but not the author, of the book. Nor is it clear if the Gentlewoman was identical with the Widdow, or if the Widdow wrote it$