James Peele.
[514]Maister James Peele—'tis a folio, 1569:—
¶The pathewaye to perfectnes in th' accomptes of debitour and creditour, in manner of a dialogue very pleasant and profitable for merchauntes and all other that minde to frequent the same, once again set forth and very much enlarged by James Peele, citizen and salter of London, Clercke of Christes Hospitall, practiser and teacher of the same, imprinted at London in Paule's church-yard by Thomas Purfoote, dwelling at the signe of the Lucrece, Aug. 16.
He is drawne before his booke in his gowne and a cap (scilicet, like the cappes the undergraduates weare), short haire and long beard.
It is dedicated to the right worshipful master John Mershe, esq., governour, the assistants, and companie of the Merchaunte Adventurers of England.
In the dialogue between the merchant and the schoolemaster, the merchant thanks him and sayes 'It is now street time, wherfore I must begonne.' In those times, before the Royal Exchange was built by Sir Thomas Gresham, the merchants did meet in the street as now a dayes at the Exchange. The place was what we now call the old Change; but I believe the street was then broader than it is now.
In those dayes[515] they did alwaies upon the top of the first clean leafe in the inventorie booke write thus:—
'In the name of God, Amen.
1566
December the xxxi daye.'