A copy which I possess of Vesalius's great anatomical work (Basil, 1555) has the book-plate of a former Duke of Mecklenburg pasted inside the cover. It is a woodcut, ten inches by six and a half, representing the ducal arms, surrounded by an ornamented border. Beneath are the date and inscription:
15 E 75 H. G. V. V. G. VLRICH H. Z. ME- CKELNBVRG.
I do not know what the first six letters stand for, nor is it worth inquiring. The latter part of the inscription--"Ulrich Herzog zu Mecklenburg"--identifies the former possessor of the volume.
"_World without end_" (Vol. vi., p. 434.).--Besides the places named by F. A., this phrase occurs in the authorised version of the Bible, in Is. xlv. 17., Ep. iii. 21. There is no doubt it is idiomatic, and is even now occasionally used in conversation. Our translators render at least three Hebrew words "world," and as many Greek ones. One of the latter, and two of the former, properly refer to _time_, like the Latin _ævum sæculum_; and this also { 27} appears to have been the original meaning of "world," as it is one which it certainly has frequently in the Scriptures. "World without end" is the idiomatic rendering, equivalent to "in sæcula sæculorum," which is a literal following of an idiom common in both the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, and to be found in the Chaldee of the Book of Daniel. "World without end" does not occur, so far as I am aware, in the modern European languages, which generally either follow the Latin "in sæcula sæculorum;" or the German, and say, "eternally to eternity."
_Gloucester Ballads_ (Vol. iv., p. 311.).--Since I inserted these ballads, I have been informed, that the one entitled a "Gloucester Ditty" was from the pen of Charles Dibdin, who, paying a visit to the "fair city," was pressed by some friends to leave them a memento of such. Of my own knowledge, I cannot vouch for the truth of this story; my informant's veracity is, however, unquestionable. I have recently obtained another copy; like the former, it is without a date, but bears the well-known imprint, "Raikes, Southgate Street."
The "Old Harry" is intended for one "Harry Hudman, King of the Island," a low district in Gloucester, a mock officer chosen by the lower orders. Harry kept the throne many years, but was at length outvoted; but resolving to retain by stratagem what he could not by free choice, invited his competitor to a glass; and while the latter was taking his draught, Harry jumped into his seat, was chaired through the island, and was thus king another year. There was a ballad relating to this worthy, commencing--