spectful difference of opinion, and not without some augmentation. The other Extracts, given from our early writers in this volume, present indeed words and phrases, or allusions to manners and customs, though not numerous, which are not found in Chaucer. Of such the illustration has been sought by me from authentick sources. Nor may the engravings, which accompany this work and are minutely correct copies of what they represent, be unacceptable to the lovers of Gower and Chaucer. The portrait of Chaucer is copied from the Manuscript of the Canterbury Tales, belonging to the Marquis of Stafford. Of Gower's monument in the Church of St. Saviour (which formerly was the Monastery of St. Mary Overies) in Southwark, and of Chaucer's in the Abbey of Westminster, I directed the drawings to be taken on the respective spots. Of these tombs the former has witnessed the least injury. The latter is not that which Berthelet describes as existing in 1532, but that which was erected to the poet's memory in 1555 by Nicholas Brigham. To the Marquis of Stafford my thanks have been already tendered. It remains that I should acknowledge the similar liberality of the Archbishop of Canterbury, in permitting me to make such extracts from his fine collection of manuscripts as might be subservient to my design. Of this occasion I avail myself gratefully to acknowledge also, what none have experienced in a kinder manner than I have from his Grace's usual generosity, the encouragement of a prelate vigilant and zealous in the cause of lite rature. While I claim the indulgence of the candid for any inaccuracy which I may have stated, and submit with cheerfulness to the judicious reader the authentick documents which I have collected; however humble my labour has been, I shall always think that the time passed pleasantly, if not usefully, which was devoted to any illustration of those writers, by whom our language has been improved, and to whom our reformed religion is indebted. Feb. 24, 1810. HENRY J. TODD. |