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HISTORY OF PRINTING.

Tliis work will transmit the name of Ruddiman with celebrity to every age, as long as the lan- gtiap^c of Rome shall continue to be taught in the schools of Scotland. Philology had not been much cultivated in the northern parts of Britain, before Ruddiman appeared. In Chalmers' Life of Ruddiman, (Appendix No. 4,) is a chronolo- gical list, drawn up by T. Ruddiman, of such gramiitars as had been written by Scotchmen.

1714. Sept. Died, Thomas Britton, known as the musical small coal man, and for his extra ordinary acquirements in cbymistry, music, and knowledge of books. He was born at or near Higbam Ferrars, in Northamptonshire; and went to London, where he bound himself appren- tice to a small coal man, and when out of his time, set up for himself in the same line, in Clcrkenwell, and by the prudence of his deport- ment, obtained the friendship of some of the most eminent literary characters of the day.

Brittun's skill in ancient books and manu- scripts is mentioned by Heame; and in his preface to his edition of Robert of Gloucester, he refers to a curious manuscript copy of that his- torian in Britton's possession. The means used by liim and other collectors of ancient books and nianuHiripts about this time, were as follow, and these include an intimation of Britton's pursuits and connections.

About the beginning of this century, a passion for collecting old books and manuscripts reigned among the nobility. The chief of those who soup;1it after them were the duke of Devonshire, Ed«:ird, earl of Oxford, and the earls of Pem- broke, Sunderland, and Winchelsea. These per- sons ia the winter season, on Saturdays, the par- liament not sitting on that day, were used to resort to the city, and, dividing themselves, took several routs, some to Little Britain, some to Moorlields, and others to diiferent parts of the town, inhabited by booksellers: there they would inquire into the several shops as they passed alonp: for old books and manuscripts; ana some time Ijefore noon would assemble at the shop of Christopher Bateman, a bookseller, at the comer of Ave-Maria-lane,in Paternoster-row; and here tlicy were frequently met by Bagford and other persons engaged in the same pursuits, and a con\c rsation always commenced on the subject of their inquiries. Bagford informed them where any thing curious was to be seen or purchased, and they in return obliged him with a sight of what they from time to time collected. While they were engaged in this conversation, and as near as could be to the hour of twelve by St. Paul's clock, Britton, who by that time had finished his round, arrived clad in his blue frock, and pitching his sack of small coal on the bulk of Mr. Bateman's shop window, would go in and join them; and after a conversation, which generally lasted about an hour, the. noblemen above mentioned adjourned to the Mourning Bush, at Aldersgate, where they dined and spent the remainder of the day.

The singularity of his character, the course of studies, and the collections he made, induced

suspicions that Britton was not the man i seemed to be : and what Mr. Walpole says as I this particular is very true; some thought h musical assembly only a cover for sedi tons mee ings; others for magical purposes; and thi Britton himself was taken for an Atheist, Presbyterian, or a Jesuit; but these were il: grounded conjectures, for he was a plain, simpl honest man, perfectly inoffensive, and fai^ esteemed by all that knew him; and, notvritl standing the meanness of his occupation, wi called Mr. Britton; and was so much dLstij l^ished, that, when passing through the stieei in his blue linen frock, and with his sack < small coal on his back, he was frequently a< costed with the following expressions, " Thei goes the famous small coal man, who is a love of learning, a performer in music, and a compi nion for gentlemen."

Britton was in his person a short thick-«i man, with a very honest, ingenious countenano There are two pictures of him extant, bol painted by Mr. Woolaston, and from both thei are mezzotinto prints. The following lines wa written under a picture done after his death :

Tboagb mean thjr rmok, yet in thy humble cell Did gentle peace and arts nnpurchased d-weU; Well pleased ApoUo thither led his train. And music warbled in her sweetest strain. Cylennias so, as Fables tell, and Jove Came willing fpiests to poor Philemon's grove. Let aseless Pomp behold, and blnsb to find So low a station, snch a liberal mind.

His death was occasioned by a trick playe upon him by Samuel Honeyman, a blaclcsmill who was famous as a ventriloquist. This laa was introduced to Britton, by a Mr. Robe, justice, for the purpose of terrifying him, and fa succeeded in it: Honeyman, announced, as froi afar off, the death of poor Britton within a fei hours, with an intimation that the only way t avert his doom was for him to fall on his knee and say the Lord's praver. Britton did as b was bid, went home and took to his bed, and i a few davs died, leaving his friend Mr. Rob to enjoy the fruits of his mirth.

Besides his books, he left a very large coUectio of manuscript and printed music and masici instruments. His effects were sold by auction and realized a considerable sum for the heaet of his widow. Lord Somers gave £500 for hi colleetion of pamphlets; and sir Hans Sloan was also a purchaser of many curious articles.

1714, Jan. 4. Balm of GiUad, or the Healc of Divisions, No. 1, printed by J. Mayo, an sold by Frederick Burleigh, at Amen-comer.

1714. Jan. 25. Brititk Merchant, or Com merce preserved; in Answer to the Mercator, a Commerce retrieved, No. 22.

1714. The Waies of Literature. This was th first critical journal in England, and continne till the year 1722.

1714, Feb. 25. The Lover, written in Imita tion of the Tatler, by Marmaduke Myrtle, Gent This was the production of Steele, anil pubUsbe* thrice a week. It ended May 27, in 40 Nos.

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