(translator of Thucydides), render his author from the French openly and without shame, he consulted the French as well as the Latin, and fared rather the worse therefor.
If for a judgment of Adlington the writer there is ample material, of Adlington the man we know nothing more than he vouchsafes himself. That six editions appeared in some seventy years is proof of the book's popularity. But its only mention is in the Register of the Stationers' Company, where it figures 'In the enterynge of Coopyes"' between the 22nd July 1565 and the 22nd July 1566—something earlier than the date of the dedication. ' Wekes. Recevyd of henry wekes," thus it runs, 'for his lycense for pryntinge of a boke intituled the hole boke of lucious apelious of ye golden asse, viijd." The epistle dedicatory to Thomas, Earle of Sussex, is dated 'from University College in Oxenford, the xviii. of September, 1566.[1] But whether or no he was a graduate of that seat of learning is still uncertain. His name does not appear in the Register of the University, and in vain you consult the common sources of information. He presents his book to his patron in the customary terms of extravagant eulogy: 'The which if your honourable Lordship shall accept, writes he of his Apuleius, 'and take in good part, I shall not only thinke my small travell and labour well employed, but shall also receive a further comfort to attempt some more serious matter.' If the serious matter were ever attempted, its very gravity has sunk it out of know-
- ↑ The first edition was ' imprinted at London in Fleet streate at the signe of the Oliphante by Henry Wykes, Anno 1566.' Other editions appeared in 1571, 1582 (the rarest), 1596, 1600, 1639.
