[206] William Lilly gives the following account of John Booker, the person here mentioned:--He "was born in Manchester, in the year 1601; was in his youth well instructed in the Latin tongue, which he understood very well. He seemed, from his infancy, to be designed for astrology; for, from the time he had any understanding, he would be always poring on and studying almanacks. He came to London at fitting years, and served an apprenticeship to an haberdasher in Lawrence Lane, London: but either wanting stock to set up, or disliking the calling, he left his trade, and taught to write, at Hadley, in Middlesex, several scholars in that school. He wrote singularly well both secretary and Roman. In process of time he served Sir Christopher Clethero, Knight, alderman of London, as his clerk, being a city justice of peace. He also was clerk to Sir Hugh Hammersley, alderman of London: both which he served with great credit and estimation, and, by that means, became not only well known, but as well respected, of the most eminent citizens of London, even to his dying day. "He was an excellent proficient in astrology; whose excellent verses upon the twelve months, framed according to the configurations of each month, being blessed with success according to his predictions, procured him much reputation all over England. He was a very honest man; abhorred any deceit in the art he studied; had a curious fancy in judging of thefts, and as successful in resolving love-questions. He was no mean proficient in astronomy; he understood much in physic; was a great admirer of the antimonial cup; not unlearned in chymistry, which he loved well, but did not practise. He died in 1667." [207] The etymology of this word is doubted; but as it was not used in English until about the time of the Restoration, it is most probably from the French _gentil_, and not from the Teutonic.--_Collier._ [The word is sometimes, but incorrectly, spelt _jaunty_.] [208] A _bay-window_ is a [recess of a square or polygonal form, serving as a window, and is strictly distinct from a _bow_-window, the name of which indicates its character and shape; the two are often confounded.] The term frequently occurs in ancient writers. So in the "Second Part of Antonio and Melida," by Marston, act i. sc. 3-- "Three times I grasp'd at shades: And thrice deluded by erroneous sense, I forc'd my thoughts make stand; when, lo! I op'd A large _bay-window_, thorough which the night Struck terror to my soul." Again, in "Cynthia's Revels," act iv. sc. 3: "In which time (retiring myself into a _bay-window_) the beauteous lady Annabel," &c. And in "A Chast Mayd in Cheape-side," by Middleton, 1630, p. 62-- "In troth a match, wench: We are simply stock'd with cloth of tissue, cushions, To furnish out _bay-windows_." [209] So in the epilogue to "Evening Love, or the Mock Astrologer," by Dryden--