e those of 1800 and 1806; the
latter, I believe, edited by Edward Du Bois. The folio of 1676 is, in all
probability, an exact reprint of that of 1651, which certainly differs
considerably from those of an earlier date. Henry Cripps, the publisher of
the edition of 1651, has the following notice:

"_To the Reader._

Be pleased to know (courteous Reader) that since the last impression of
this Book, the ingenuous author of it is deceased, leaving a copy of it
exactly corrected, with several considerable additions by his own hand.
This copy he committed to my care and custody, with directions to have
those additions inserted in the next edition; which, in order to his
command and the publicke good, is faithfully performed in this last
impression.

H. C."

Modern writers have been deeply indebted to old Robert Burton; but he, in
his turn, was equally indebted to earlier writers. Dr. Dibdin remarks:

"I suspect that Burton, the author of the _Anatomy of Melancholy_, was
intimately acquainted with Boiastuan's book as translated by Alday; for
there are passages in Burton's 'Love Melancholy' (the most
extraordinary and amusing part of his work), which bear a very strong
resemblance to many in the 'Gests and Countenances ridiculous of
Lovers,' at p. 195 of Boiastuan's _Theatre, or Rule of the World_."

The title of the curious book mentioned in this extract is--

"Theatrum Mundi. Theatre, or Rule of the World: Wherein may bee seene
the running Race and Course of everie Mannes Lyfe, as touching Miserie
and Felicitie: whereunto is added a learned Worke of the excellencie of
Man. Written in French by Peter Boiastuan. Translated by John Alday.
Printed by Thomas East, for John Wright, 8vo. 1582."

But Burton was more indebted to another work, very similar in title and
matter to his own; I mean Dr. Bright's curious little volume, of which I
transcribe the title-page in full:

"A Treatise of Melancholy: contayning the Causes thereof, and reasons
of the strange Effects it worketh in our Minds and Bodies; with the
Phisicke Cure, and Spirituall Consolation for such as have thereto
adjoyned afflicted Conscience. The difference betwixt it and
Melancholy, with diverse philosophical Discourses touching Actions, and
Affections of Soule, Spirit, and Body: the Particulars whereof are to
be seene before the Booke. By T. Bright, Doct