ary Cromwell, writing to his master from Antwerp,
mentions that he is 'muche desirous t'atteyne the knowlage of the Frenche
tonge,' but that he is unable to obtain a copy of the only primer which
he knows to exist. This volume, called 'L'Esclarcissement de la Langue
Francoyse,' was 'compose par Maistre Jehan Palsgraue, Angloys, natyf de
Londres et gradue de Paris,' and was printed by Pynson, though it was
finished and published by Hawkins in 1530.

Palsgrave, the author, seems to have been determined that his book should
not fall into the hands of other teachers of French (he was 'scolemaster'
to the Princess Mary, sister of Henry VIII., in 1513, at a stipend of L6
13s. 4d.); and although Vaughan writes that he 'made not a letle labour
to Mr. Palsgrave to have one of his books,' yet 'in no wise he wolde
graunt for no price.' So Vaughan entreats Thomas Cromwell to obtain a
copy for him, 'not doubtyng but though he unkyndly denyd me one, he will
not denye youe one.'

Apparently Palsgrave had entered into some kind of arrangement with the
printer, for Vaughan writes that he 'hathe willed Pynson to sell none of
them to any other person than to suche as he shall comaunde to have them,
lest his proffit by teching the Frenche tonge myght be mynished by the
sale of the same to suche persons as, besids hym, wern disposed to studye
the sayd tongue.'

From this premise it is easy to understand why 'L'Esclarcissement' is
such a rare book. Very few copies indeed are known to exist. Yet one
cannot help wondering what became of the copies that had not been
disposed of at the author's death. Possibly a very small number was
printed, and perhaps 'Johan Haukyns,' faithful to his pact, destroyed
those on hand. That the book was in high esteem may be gathered from the
fact that, in spite of his rebuff, Vaughan says: 'If I had one, I wolde
no less exteme it then a Jewell.' The letter ends with a delightful burst
of ingenuousness. 'Syr, I remember Mr. Palsgrave gave youe one of his
books, which if it please you to geve me I wer muche bounde to youe.'
Whether he obtained a copy in the end history does not relate; but if our
book-hunter is ever so fortunate as to come across one, like Vaughan he
will certainly 'no less exteme it then a Jewell.'

Very many, indeed the vast majority, of the popular jest-books which
appeared in such numbers during Queen Elizabeth's reign are now lost to
us. Some are known by later quotation of their titles, ot