ioned by the clubs as one of their
fellows, appear to be the Sancho and Jack Pudding. Will Crofts
was a favourite with Charles II: he had been a skilful agent,
as appears in Clarendon. [In the accounts of moneys disbursed
for secret services in the reign of Charles II., published by
the Camden Society, his name appears for 200_l._, but that of
his wife repeatedly figures for large sums, "as of free
guift." In this way she receives 700_l._ with great regularity
for a series of years, until the death of Charles II.] Howell
has a poem "On some who, blending their brains together,
plotted how to bespatter one of the Muses' choicest sons, Sir
William D'Avenant."

[327] The story was current in D'Avenant's time, and it is certain he
encouraged the believers in its truth. Anthony Wood speaks of
the lady as "a very beautiful woman, of a good wit and
conversation, in which she was imitated by none of her
children but by this William." He also notes Shakspeare's
custom to lodge at the Crown Inn, Oxford, kept by her husband,
"in his journies between Warwickshire and London." Aubrey
tells the same tale, adding that D'Avenant "would sometimes,
when he was pleasant over a glass of wine with his most
intimate friends, _e.g._ Sam. Butler (author of 'Hudibras,'
&c.,) say, that it seemed to him that he writ with the very
same spirit that Shakspeare did, and was contented enough to
be thought his son;" he adds that "his mother had a very light
report." It was Pope who told Oldys the jesting story he had
obtained from Betterton, of little Will running from school to
meet Shakspeare, in one of his visits to Oxford, and being
asked where he was running, by an old townsman, replied, to
"see my godfather Shakspeare." "There's a good boy," said the
old gentleman, "but have a care that you don't take God's name
in vain."--ED.

[328] The scene where the story of "Gondibert" is placed, which the
wits sometimes pronounced _Lumber_ and _Lumbery_.

THE
PAPER-WARS OF THE CIVIL WARS.

The "Mercuries" and "Diurnals," archives of political fictions--"The
Diurnals," in the pay of the Parliament, described by BUTLER and
CLEVELAND--Sir JOHN BIRKENHEAD excels in sarcasm, with specimens
of hi