of uniformity by requesting each to conform so far as his taste and historical conscience might permit to a common but elastic outline of method previously prepared. If the attempt has succeeded, there has been gained something of continuity and scientific value for the series. The presence, at the same time, of an occasional personal element in the several articles of the history will enhance its value for our dear friend, the good old-fashioned reader, who sets no store by literary science, but judges books by his liking, and likes to read such judgments of them. The texts of the comedies presented are, to the best ability of their respective editors, faithful reprints of the best originals; where possible, those published during the authors' lives. Spelling and language have been preserved as they were; but for the convenience of readers, the punctuation and the style of capitals and letters, such as _i_, _j_, _u_, _v_, _s_, have been, unless otherwise specified, conformed to the modern custom. The general editor regrets that it has not been feasible to preface the series with some of the still earlier experiments in comedy, but he indulges the hope that such a volume may later be added, and, also, that it may soon be possible to publish in its proper proportions the materials which have been condensed into the _Historical View_ here submitted. He takes this opportunity to express his appreciation of the courtesy of the scholars who have engaged with him in this undertaking, and especially to thank Mr. Pollard of the British Museum, and Mr. E. W. B. Nicholson of the Bodleian Library, Professor Gummere, Professor Dowden, and the Master of Peterhouse for assistance, encouragement, and counsel which have contributed to make this labour a delight. Other volumes of this series are well under way, and will follow with all reasonable celerity. CHARLES MILLS GAYLEY. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, February 3, 1903. CONTENTS Page I. AN HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE BEGINNINGS OF ENGLISH COMEDY By Charles Mills Gayley _Of the University of California_ xi II. JOHN HEYWOOD: Critical Essay. Alfred W. Pollard _Of St. John's College, Oxford, and the British Museum_ 1 Edition of the _Play of the Wether_. The Same 19 Edition of a _Mery Play betweene Johan Johan, Tyb_, etc. The Same 61 III. NICHOLAS UDALL: Critical Essay. Ewald Flügel _Of Stanford University_ 87 Edition of _Roister Doister_. The Same 105 Appendix on Various Matters. The Same 189