Letters and Exercises of John Conybeare. Edited by F. C.
Conybeare, M.A. (H. Frowde. 10s. 6d. net.)—John Conybeare was schoolmaster at Molten and Swinbridge, in Devonshire, in the last decades of the sixteenth century, and he left a collection of letters, orations, recipes, extracts from books, &c., which have been here printed with notes and explanations. These are naturally of very various interest. There is a testimonial from (me" H. B." in favour of Mr. Conybeare, when he was a candidate for the school, very like the documents with which some of us are familiar. Then there are some curious specimens of medical treatment. Here is one :—" To cause to sleep. A spoonfull of pure Rosewater, as much Vinegar, two spoonfulls of oil of Roses, half a handfull of Roseleaves made in powder, crumbs of leavened bread made of wheat, make a plaster, and lay it over forehead and temples." Among the things that are "ill for the sight" are "to studie after meatAs," "too much letting of blood," and "too much weeping." Then, of serious matters, there is the recantation of John Niche% who came over from Rome, and did nc)t spare his old friends. (Nieholl, after being in high favour, and receiving a " benevolence " of £50 a year from the Bishops, went to France, was arrested, and died in prison.) Not the least interesting thing in the volume is a fragment of autobiography by Dr. Conybeare, afterwards Dean of Llandaff. Ile speaks in the highest terms of Cyril Jackson, Dean of Christ Church, as t6 ablest of administrators and teachers. "My collegiate expenses did not exceed £300," says Conybeare. A very high figure, seeing that he was a simple commoner. What must the gentlemen commoners have spent ?
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