WARD, NATHANIEL, born between 1578-80, died 1652. He was a Puritan minister whose convictions got him into trouble with Archbishop Laud, and in 1633 he was deprived of his living. The next year he sailed for America and settled at Ipswich, and there compiled for Massachusetts the “Body of Liberties,” which was adopted in 1641. In 1645-46 he wrote “The Simple Cobbler of Aggawam in America,” a witty, stinging pamphlet, partisan and patriotic. This was published in England, and during the year 1647 four editions were sold. He returned to England and died at Shenfield, in Essex. WARNER, CHARLES DUDLEY (1829), a prolific writer of sketches and stories, through all of which runs a graceful vein of refined humour. He now does the “Editor’s Study” in _Harper’s Magazine_. His best-known books are, _My Summer in a Garden_, _Back-Log Studies_, _Mummies and Moslems_, _Baddeck_, and in collaboration with Mark Twain, _The Gilded Age_. London publishers, Sampson Low, Marston, & Co. American publishers, Houghton, Mifflin, & Co., and Henry Holt & Co. WEBB, CHARLES HENRY (1834), a successful inventor as well as writer of humorous verse and prose. Some of his earlier work was published under the _nom de guerre_ of “John Paul.” _American Humorous Verse_ (“Canterbury Poets”) contains some of his best work. WEBB, GEORGE, an Englishman by birth, contemporary of Benjamin Franklin, author of _Bachelors’ Hall_. He studied at Oxford, took to the stage, failed, and, joining the army, was sent to America, where he deserted, and worked as a printer in Philadelphia. WEEMS, MASON LOCKE (1760-1825), an eccentric character: clergyman, story-teller, fiddler, and historian and book agent. In the latter capacity, and with his fiddle always within reach, he travelled through the rural districts of America, present at every merry-making, and always pressing his wares on the people. He wrote much in the way of history, in which a little fact suffices to carry a great deal of entertaining fiction; and it is on his doubtful authority that the famous story of Washington and his hatchet has been given to the world. WHITCHER, MRS. FRANCES MIRIAM, “WIDOW BEDOTT” (1812-1852). Her “Widow Bedott” papers, although not of a high type of humour, were immensely popular in her lifetime, and are still read. WIDOW BEDOTT. _See_ WHITCHER. WILCOX, ELLA WHEELER (1845?), a prolific writer of verse; one of the chief literary women of America. Author of _Drops of Water_, _Maurine_, _Shells_, _Poems of Passion_ (which caused a great stir at the time of publication), and _Poems of Pleasure_. WILLIAMS, JOHN H., “The Norristown Herald Man.” His humorous writings were widely quoted during the “seventies.”