In what part of the kingdom he was born, and what became of him after he quitted the University, are all circumstances alike unknown. That no memorials should remain of a person to whom the world is obliged for a performance of so much merit as "Albumazar" is allowed to possess, cannot but create surprise, and at the same time will demonstrate that genius is not always sufficient to excite the attention of contemporaries or the curiosity of posterity. Dryden [whose ignorance of our earlier literature is well known] not only seems to have been unaware to whom the world owed this piece, but also the time in which it was first represented. He has without any authority asserted that Ben Jonson-- "Chose this As the best model of his masterpiece. _Subtle_ was got by our _Albumazar_, That _Alchymist_ by this _Astrologer;_ Here he was fashion'd, and, we may suppose, He lik'd the fashion well who wore the cloaths." But in this particular he was certainly mistaken. The "Alchemist" was printed in 1612, and "Albumazar" was not performed until the year 1614, as will appear from the following particulars:-- "King James," says a writer in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for May 1756, p. 224, "made a progress to Cambridge and other parts in the winter of the year 1614, as is particularly taken notice of by Rapin, vol. ii. p. 156, who observes that the play called 'Ignoramus' was then acted before his Majesty at Cambridge, and gave him infinite pleasure. I found in the library of Sir Edward Deering a minute in manuscript of what passed at Cambridge for the five days the king stayed there, which I shall here transcribe, for it accords perfectly with the account given by the historian, both of the king's progress and the play entitled "Ignoramus," and at the same time will afford us the best light to the matter in hand:-- "On Tuesday the 7th of March 1614, was acted before the King, in Trinity College Hall-- "1. Æmilia: A Latin Comedy, made by Mr Cecill Johannis. "On Wednesday night-- "2. Ignoramus the Lawyer[220]: Latine and part English. Composed by Mr Ruggle Clarensis. "On Thursday-- "3. Albumazar the Astronomer, in English. By Mr Tomkis, Trinit. "On Friday-- "4. Melanthe[221]: A Latin Pastoral. Made by Mr [S.] Brookes (mox doctor) Trinitatis. "On the next Monday-- "5. The Piscatory, an English Comedy, was acted before the University, in King's College, which Master Fletcher[222] of that College had provided, if the King should have tarried another night."