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 SIXTEENTH CENTURY'.

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biated printer of ConstuntiDopIe, published the Hebrew Pentateurk, Megilloth, and Haphtaroth* with the Taiyunu and Jewitk CommentarUi, in foUo. In 1546, a Polyglott PmUiteuch, in fol. -was printed in the same city, by Eliezer Berab Gerson Soncinatis. It contained the Hebrew text, the Targum of Onkelos, the Persic version of R. Jacob F. Joseph Tavos, or Tusensis, the Arabic Tetsion of Saadias Gaon, and the rab- binical Commentary of Rashi, or R. Solomon ben Jaichi. The book of Exodus of this Poly- glott, bears date 1545. In 1547, there was anodieT Polyglott Pentateuch published from the same press, with the Hebrew text; the old Spanisn version for the refug^ee Spanish Jews ; the modern Greek, as used by the Cara'ites of Constantinople, who do not understand Hebrew; and the Targum and Commentary, as in the former editions. In 1516, the Pentateuch and Megilloth, in Hebrew, with the Targum and Rabbinical Commentary, v/ere printed at Tlies.sa- lonica; in 1517, Job, in Hebrew and Chaldee; in 1522, and several times subsequently, the Ptalmt, in Hebrew, with Rabbinical Commen- tmriet; and in 1535 the Prior Prophets, (as the Jews denominate Joshua, Judf^es, Samuel, and Kings, with the Commentary of R. Kimchi. Le Long (edit. Match) mentions some few other portions of the Hebrew Scriptures pub- lished by the Jews of Constantinople and Thes- salonica, about the same time.

1554, July. A goodly letter sent too thefayeth- fuU in London, Newcastell, Barwyke, and to all other within the realme of England, that love the comminge of oure Lorde Jesus, bu Jhon Knox. Imprinted at Rome before the castle of S. Angel, at the signofsainct Peter, in the moneth of July, tn the year of our Lord 1554. A confession and declaration of praiers added thereto, by Jhon Knox. H. Singleton's rebus at the end. 12mo. In the saniie year we find an admonition by M. John Knox to the faithful!, tainted at Ralykow, the 20lh day of July. Cum privilejio, ad imprimendum solum. Twelves.

1554. We have already noticed (page 83, ante) that by the authority of the lord mayor and court of aldermen, the stationers were formed into a guild, or fraternity, and had their ordinances made for their good government of the fellowship, as appears by a memorial pre- sented by the company to the lord mayor and conn of aldermen, in 1645; in which they state that their brotherhood, or corporation, had then been governed by wholesome ordinances for the space of two hundred and forty years. Thus constituted, they regularly assembled under the

portion of the sacred writings which includes Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Lamentattons, and Solomon's Son^ , the Haphtaroth are flfty.four chapters or lessons selected out of the Prophets, and read in the 87na^g:ues by the Jews, on their sabbaths and other festivals. — See Kenni- eotft DistertatUnu, Diss. 9, pp. bl7, Slg.
 * The Megilloth U the term applied by the Jews to that

t This book of Knox's must tuve been printed abroad, and not in Scotland, for he was not then In the lungdom, nor durst he have printed It there at that time. This place Raljrliow, seems to be fictltions.

government of a master and two wardens. Their first hall was in Milk-street;* but in 1550, it appears that the company had begun to turn their thoughts to a removal of their hall, and to a more substantial incorporation, for in that year the following memorandum stands in the front of the earliest book of these records that is preserved: "Anno, 1650, Uie 13 of Marche, Master SAo/m/f«,tof Lincolne's-inne, promised to be of counsaill with the company of station- ers, when they should conveniently' desire it."

St. Peter's colleg^e, the place fixed on for their new hall, was probably obtained for them by Mr. Seres, who occupied a part of it. The com- pany purchased the site ; and, about 1553, adapted the old building to their own purposes. The chapel was converted into an armory and a warehouse. It is supposed that Peter's college stood on the spot now occupied by the garden of the deanery of St. Paul's, at the south-west comer of the church yard.J

The fitting up of the new hall (which was a large building) was defrayed by the voluntary subscriptions of the several members. Among other benefactions, sixteen glazed windows were contributed; and also the wainscoting both of the parlour and the council-chamber.

A Benevolence was collected, in 1554, towards of money received and paid by John Cawood and Henry Cooke, from Dee. 9, 1664, to July 18, 1557," are these entries:
 * ' the charges of the hall;" and in an "Account

" Item, receyved in monye at the gevynge up of Mr. Barthelette and Mr. Bonham thayre accumpts, at the hands of the collecters, LViiM. yd. ob."

Several sums were also received for the oc- casional use of the hall for different public purposes.

1654-5. " Item, receivyd, the viii daye of Janiuiry, of the Wardmothe Inquest of Castell Bavnard Waide, for occupyinge the hall, 48." [This sum in subsequent years was 20».]

" Item, recevyd for occupyinge the hall at a wedding, 3s. 4rf.§

Another Benevolence, in 1664, towards " the Corporation;" to which Mr. Dockwra, then roaster, contributed 40*.; Mr. Cawood, 20«.; Mr. Cooke, 36».; Reginald Wolfe, 20*.; and Mrs. Toye, 20«.

The building, when fitted up, consisted of a

and three in Frtars-alley and Clement's-court, in Milk, street, built after the Hre of London, on the site of tbdr original hall.
 * The company still possess two hooses tn Wood-street,

t Ralph Cholmondly, esq. who manled EUzabeth Red- man, widow of Robert Redman, of whom see 2/6 ante.

t Stowe, speaking of this part of London, says, "Then was there the Stationera* Hall, lately boilded for them, in the place of Peter's College ; where, in the year, 1541, the 4th day of January, five men were slayne by the fall of earth upon them, digging for a well.** — Nichols.

i Many curious particulars relating to the uses made of Stationers' hall, may be found in Malone's Life of DrjideH ,- and at the commencement of the last century, concerts were frequenUy given in it, similar to those now common in Hanover-square and other places. Numben of funeral feasts and convivialmeetings hare liesldes been celebrated and held there, exclusive of those peculiar to the com. pany. — NichoU.

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