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Read Ebook: The Notorious Impostor (1692); Diego Redivivus (1692) by Settle Elkanah Peterson Spiro Editor
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Editor: Spiro Peterson
THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY
ELKANAH SETTLE THE NOTORIOUS IMPOSTOR
DIEGO REDIVIVUS
Introduction by Spiro Peterson
Publication Number 68
Los Angeles William Andrews Clark Memorial Library University of California
GENERAL EDITORS
ASSISTANT EDITOR
ADVISORY EDITORS
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
INTRODUCTION
Spiro Peterson
Miami University Oxford, Ohio
Since writing the above, I have been informed by G. F. Osborn, archivist of the City of Westminster Public Libraries, that the registers of St. Clement Danes, in his keeping, have the following entry under 12 January 169-1/2: "William Morrell alias Bowier a man bur poor."
Notes to the Introduction
THE
Notorious Impostor,
Or the History of the LIFE of
William Morrell,
ALIAS
BOWYER,
Together
TO THE
SIR,
Your unknown Humble Servant.
THE
Notorious Impostor:
OR THE
HISTORY
OF THE
LIFE
The Potent Summ of a whole Half Crown to be laid out in Ale, set in our Country Youth to a hearty Carouse with the kind Hostess of the House, where the Esquires Health was over and over remembred, not forgetting the Great Man at the Great House about Three Miles off; where, as simple a Country Fellow as he was, he expected one day to be better acquainted.
Dear Brother,
Our Gallant found his Plot had taken; for he had critically observed in what most particular manner and station to a quarter of an inch he had laid his Letters; and finding all of 'em displaced more or less from the exact point he had left 'em, he plainly perceived they had all of 'em been read. Besides, in compliance to her Father's Orders, and indeed a little to her own Inclinations, he discover'd her usual Coldness to him a little diminish'd, and her Aspect more favourable, which plainly told him the Bait had taken. Whereupon one Evening finding her alone in her Garden, with a confidence more than usual, he plainly spoke home, telling her what an inestimable Blessing he should acquire in possessing so much sweetness for a Wife.
Our Squire thus every way obliged, after his due Conges all made, bids them all Farewel till tomorrow, and so prances off. Here let us leave the Father and Daughter as busy for the Credit of the Cause, as may be imagined, making all suitable Provision for tomorrow's Entertainment; the Kitchin, and Pantry, the Bed-Chamber, and the Court-Cubboard, must all appear in Splendour extraordinary.
To describe the Distress and Anguish of our present Female Sufferer, or either of her two foregoing Sisters in Affliction, being a work beyond our power, we shall e'ne do as the Painter did of old, that is, draw a Vail before the Face of sorrow, the Lineaments of true Grief being above the Pen or Pencils skill.
Well, 'tis agreed between 'em all, that they shall not stir till he comes thither, which will be in twenty four Hours at most; and all their united Vengeance, Constables, Warrants, and what not, shall be prepar'd for his Reception.
After this Escape of a Halter, what his following Adventures have been we are not informed: 'tis to be believed his Will was no ways wanting, though his power of managing such hardy Exploits might undoubtedly be a little retrencht: and therefore we have reason to conclude he fell into smaller Games, in which his Walks have lain something more obscure, and thereupon by reason of our unacquaintance with the Truth of that part of his Life, we shall over-leap some years, and bring him to his Conclusion.
His WILL.
Humphrey Wickham.
Humphrey Wickham.
Tho. Cullin.
Postscript.
The Nurse and Assistants that attended him in his sickness now call to mind, that they once or twice observed him to laugh to himself very pleasantly, which they suppose proceeded from the pleasure he took in cheating the World he was then just upon leaving.
or the
Last WILL
AND
TESTAMENT
Of the Pretended
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