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
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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.

    268/408 (page 60)
    §§ 37> 38- Since these sections were printed I have acquired a copy ot the 1596 edition of A. T.’s book: A Rich Store-houfe or Treafury for the Difeafed. All things considered it is in good condition, and it has the advantage over the Museum copy of being perfect. But I have got besides an edition of 1601, which is not in the British Museum, and which may, therefore, be more fully considered, in view of the universal catalogue of English books that is to be compiled some day: A 1 rich store HO VSE, | or | Treafurie for the Difeafed. | wherein, are many appro- 1 ued Medicines for diuers and fundry 1 Difeafes, which haue bin long hidden, and not | come to light before this time. | first set foorth for the | great Benefit and Comfort of the | poorer fort of People that are not of abilli- | tie to go to the Phifitions, by A. T. | And now newly Corrected, augmented and inlarged, by | G. W. Practicioner in Phificke and Chirurgerie. | [Device.] H at London, | Printed by Ralph Blower. 1601. Small 4to. A2, B to Y in fours, Z2 ; or ff. [10] 78. Black letter, but the title, Epistle Dedicatorie, head-lines, titles of sections and chapters, and technical words are in roman. The device is a clenched right hand with the motto : EX avaritiA BELLVM. There are numerous florid capitals, and typographical ornaments between the main sections. As the first edition appeared in 1596, and the fourth in 1607, the question arises whether this of 1601 is the second edition or the third. Judging by the date and allowing for the usual interval of about four or five years for an edition, this might be either the second or third, though more likely the third, for the reason that the second was possibly or pro- bably issued by the author himself immediately after the first, after which the work may have fallen into the hands of G. W. This view seems to be confirmed by the rate at which additions were made successively to the book, as is shown by the following table : 1596. 1 st Edition 1601. 1607. 4th „ 1612. 5th „ 1631. nth „ 341 Chapters. 604 689 „ 784 795 The problem, then, which can be solved only by the discovery of the other edition between the first and the fourth, is, whether it is a mere reissue of