Page:A dictionary of printers and printing.djvu/448

 43i»

SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

" What nnmeroas woitUes whom with lyres high stnuic

In pompons strains ftail manuscripts once sun^,

To time's abyss are with their Touchers tost.

Nor one memorial of existence boast I

But llring meilt (still, alas I oppos'd)

Now sees the gnlph of black obUTion closed i

Sees present envy Impotently rave.

And pants for honest praise beyond the grave ;

Firm and exalted o'er its wayward fate.

Sees the folr pace for ftme's impression wait.

And safe, in jnst posterity's reward.

Consigns its glory to the future bard.

The brave and good, prepared to live in death.

With unreluctant smiles shall yield their breath.

While latest times Nkwton entire shall boast.

Nor mottm a Bacon, Locks, or Milton lost."

TttB influence of literature on the destiny of man is of unquestionable impoitance. Bool^ are the best, the noblest monuments of all nations ; and ages cannot transmit to ages any inheritance so valuable as the thoughts and productions of men of talent. Knowledge is that which, next to virtue, truly and essentially raises one man above another : it finishes one half of the human soul : it makes existence pleasant to us, and adminis* ters a perpetual senes of gratification. It gives ease to solitude, and grace to retirement. Dr. Aiken says, "in books we have the choicest Uioughts of the ablest men in tbeir best dress. We can at pleasure exclude dulness and imper- tinence, and open our doors to wit and good sense alone." " In a polite age," says Goldsmith, " almost every person becomes a reader, and re- ceives more instruction from the press than the pulpit."

" I acknowledge," says M.Wendebom, " that abuses are sometimes committed in consequence of the unrestrained freedom of the press ; but after the observation of many years, I am con- fident that the advantages infinitely preponde- rate. The public is the dread tribunal before which every cause is judged. Every man is beard, and is free to vindicate his conduct. Had all lands such heralds, whose loud voice might awaken shame and fear; were the com- mon people of every country equally eager to read the public papers; then would discord, oppression, and bigotry, soon be banished from their borders, by a great majority of votes, and men that can read, and dare to write, would soon cease to be slaves."

Henry IV.* of France, read every book with pleasure that was published concerning his

ISS3) ascended the Ftench throne, August 3, issg; for- merly announced the Protestant (alth, at St. Denys, July 35, 1983 i published the memorable edict of toleration of Nantz, April ig, isge, which was revoked by Lonia XIV. in I8ss ; received bis death (Tom the hand of the fanatical assassin Ravaillac, who stabbed him. May U, lOlo.
 * Henry IV. was born at Pau, In Beme, December IS,

operations; for under his reign everr person enjoyed free liberty of speaking, writing, and printing ; and truth, which be sought after everywhere, came in her turn, even in her turn to seek him. The greatest compliment which can be paid to kingi, ii to believe them worthy to attend to her voice. Unhappy must that reign be where the history of it is obliged to conc^ its author. L'Etoile relates that Henry having read the book called the Anti-Soldier, asked his secretary of state, Villeroy, if he had seen this work, and upon his replying in the negative, " It is right you should see it," said he, " for it is a book which takes me finely to task, but it is still more severe on you." He was desired to punish an author who had written some severe satires upon the court : " it would be against my conscience," said this good prince, " to trouble an honest man for having told the truth."

1601, i^ei. 25. Robert Deverenx, earl of Essex, beheaded. He was the son of Walter, earl of Essex, and born at Netherwood, November 10, 1567. He served in many important expedi- tions in difi°erent parts of Europe, and rose very high in the favour of queen Elizabeth. In 1597 he was made earl marshal of England, and on the death of lord Burleigh, chancellor of Cam- bridge. About this time he incurred the queen's displeasure in a remarkable manner. At a private council held respecting the appointment of a proper person to govern Ireland, he had the impnidence to oppose her majesty with rudeness, on which she gave him a box on the ear. The violent earl instantly laid his hand on his sword, and swore he would not have taken such treat- ment even from her father. At length a recon- ciliation took place, and he was sent to Ireland, where he met with bad success. His enemies in the meantime turned the mind of the queen against him, and he returned to England, and again fell into disgrace, and was imprisoned. In 1600 he regained his liberty, but did not make

VjOOQ IC