Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/140

 70 ttOTES BY THE WAY.

issue of the ballad ? Could some of your readers kindly supply a transcript of the title-page, size, pagination, and other bibliographical details ? Was the poem first published in a paper wrapper ? I have an early undated chap-book edition, which I suspect copies the text of the first edition, inasmuch as in many small details the ballad has since been recast, and in all instances for the better. The chap-book is entitled ' The Humourous History of John Gilpin, of Cheapside, London, to which is added, the Story of an Elephant. Printed by Howard & Evans, Long Lane, West Smithfield, London,' n.d. 16mo, pp. 24, with rude and very inappropriate cuts. It will be seen from the two sub- joined stanzas, which I have contrasted with the version of the ballad which appears in the ' Poems,' second edition, Lond., Johnson, 1786, 2 vols. 8vo, that the ballad has been considerably altered :

Chap-book. The horse, who never had before

Been handled in this kind, Affrighted fled And as he flew

Left all the world behind.

Poems, second ed., 1786. The horse, who never in that sort

Had handled been before, What thing upon his back had got

Did wonder more and more. And again :

Chap-book. The youth did ride and soon they met ;

He tried to stop John's horse By seizing fast the flowing rein ; But only made things worse.

Poems, second ed., 1786. The youth did ride, and soon did meet

John coming back amain, Whom in a trice he tried to stop

By catching at his rein."

The subject is continued by Lieut.-Col. Fergusson ; and J. 0. writes that he has a neat little volume entitled

"The Life of J. Gilpin, taken from divers MSS. in possession of the Family. To which is added, by way of Appendix, the celebrated History of the ' Journey to Edmonton,' as read by Mr. Henderson at F. Mason's Hall. Bladon printer, 1785.

Oxford Street, London, April 14, 1785. Certificate.

I do hereby certify this Publication a true and genuine Account of the Life of my deceased Relation, J. G. FRANCIS GILPIN.

" Then follows a coarse burlesque biography, ending with the journey, and dedicated to Henderson, third edition, with a frontis- piece, which last has disappeared, but another by the elder Cruik-

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