Collection, "Wit's never good till 'tis bought," being sung to the tune
of "Basse's Carreere." Mr. Collier has reprinted this in his elegant
_Book of Roxburghe Ballads_, 4to. 1847, p. 264., and says:--

"The tune to which is sung, 'Basse's Carreere,' means of course,
the tune mentioned in Walton's _Angler_, 'The Hunter in his
Career,' composed, as he states by William Basse."

I have a distant recollection of having seen other pieces in some of our
early musical works, composed by Basse. Sir Harris Nicolas, also, in the
"Life of Walton," prefixed to his edition of _The Complete Angler_, p.
cxx., says:--

"He (Walton) appears to have been fond of poetry and music....
and was intimate with _Basse, an eminent composer_, in whose
science he took great interest."

I fear that these notices of William Basse, thus collected together from
scattered sources, will not afford much information to Mr. Collier,
beyond what he is already possessed of; but they may possibly interest
others, who may not be quite so conversant with our early writers as
that gentleman is known to be. I shall feel much gratified and obliged
if he or any other of your correspondents will add any further notices
or communications respecting one who may possibly have been personally
known to Shakspeare, but whose name, at all events, will be handed down
to posterity in connection with that of our immortal bard.

THOMAS CORSER,

Stand Rectory, Feb. 22. 1850.