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APPENDIX.

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HE idea of the old English jest-book, Jacke of Dover His Questof Inquirie, or His Privy Searchfor the Veriest Foole in England( London: 1604), may perhaps have beensuggested by such popular tales as those ofthe man going about in quest of three greaterfools than his wife, father- in- law, and mother-in- law. It is, however, simply a collection ofhumorous anecdotes, not specially examplesof folly or stupidity, most of which are foundin earlier jest- books. The introduction is

rather curious:

" When merry Jacke of Dover had madehis privy search for the Foole of all Fooles,and making his inquirie in most of theprincipal places in England, at his returnhome he was adjudged to be the fool him-self; but now wearied with the motley cox-combe, he hath undertaken in some place orother to find a verier foole than himself. But