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HISTORY OF PRINTING.

Archibald Constable, bookseller, Edinburgh, un- fortunately declined the publication of his poems, though onered for a very small sum.

To those unacquainted with literaiy history, these statements may seem wonderful, that any difficulties should have been experienced in the first attempt to publish many works which now adorn the republic of letters ; yet another in- stance must be recorded in that exquisite poem, the Pletuum of Hope of Thomas Campbell,* and nothing can be better authenticated than the bet of its having been offered, in vain, to every respectable bookseller both in Glasgow and Edin- burgh. Not one of them could be prevailed upon to risk even paper and printing upon the chance of its success ; and at last, it was with considerable reluctance, that Messrs. Mundell and Son, printers to the imiversity of Glasgow, undertook its publication, with the very lioeral condition, that the author should be allowed fifty copies at the trade price, and in the event of its reaching a second edition, a further gratuity of jGIO. It was published in 1799.

In the above slight enumeration of the ob- stacles which the fine compositions of genius, and the elaborate labours of erudition are doom- ed to encounter in the road to fame, we may raise our regret; but how often are we astonished to find that works of another, and often of an inferior description are rewarded in the most princely manner, some instances of which will be given in another part of this work.

1738, Jan. 6. The Literary Courier of Grub- ilreet. No. 1, edited by Eph. Quibus.

1739, Jan. It appears tnat several editors of newspapers in the country had formed the idea of inserting short essays upon various subjects, for the amusement or information of the more learned part of their readers. In the Gloucester Journal the essays were to be entitled Country Common Seme, "but the greater portion of its readers were offended at the introduction of the essays as infringing upon the news of the week, that Mr. Ridkes was actually compelled to abandon his design. Mr. Abree, proprietor of the Canterbunf News Letter, was not so easily

• There can be so doubt that the treatment which Mr. Campbell receiTed on thii occasion, auDk deep into 111* mind ) for an anecdote la told of him which proves how strong the feeling of resentment, at the injustice he had experienced, had taken possession of his mind. A few yeais afterwards, on being asked, at a large dinner party, tat a toast, he, wtthoot hesitation, to the astonishment of ererx one present, proposed the health of " Bonaparte," who was then In the plenitude of his power. The excla- mation of Oh I oh I resounded from every side of the table, when the feelings of the company were instantly mollified by the poet exclaiming, " Yes, gentlemen, here is Bona- parte, in the character of esteitumer of booksellers I" It hqipened that only a few days previous, there had arrived in London the news of the judicial murder of Palm, a bookseller of Norembnrg, In Germany, who had been shot by an express order of Napoleon, for oontraTening one of hu decrees respecting the press at that country.

Thomas Campbell was born at Glasgow, in the year 1 777, and studied in the university of that city. When only twenty-two years of age, the above poem was published, which immediately took its rank as one of the finest sen- timental poems in the language. OertnuU of Wfomine, a tale in the Spenccrian stanza, appeared in 1809 ; Theo- driCf a tale, in 1 834, and soide lyrical poems of great beauty, complete the list of Mr. Campbell's poetical productions.

intimidated, but proceeded with his essays ia spite of all opposition, which at last were wdl received by ail parties.

1739, March 13. Died, John Osbokme, a noted bookseller in Fatemoster-row. In 1734, whilst upper warden, Mr. Osborne gave £20 to the company of stationers, which was disposed of for the purchase of a branch for illuminating the hall on public occasions ; it was put np at the expense of Mr. William Monat, master. Mr. Osborne was master of the company in 17S5. There were at this time three others of the name of Osborne on the liveiy.

1739. Died, Jacob Robinson, bookseller, near the Temple-gate, Fleet-street. Dunton says— " Mr. Robinson, a man verv ingenious, smd of very quick parts. His religion has not destroyed the goodness of his humour, for his tempa is easy and unruffled, setting on the great pot tat them. Dr. Bates made choice of him for one of his booksellers. He published the Comforaa^s Plea for the Nonconformists, and is Dr. Edwards's boolueller." Mr. Robinson* was on terms of intimacT with Pope, who appointed him his bookseller.

1739, June 14. An act for prohibiting the im- portation of books, first composed and printed k Great Britain ; and for repealing so much of the act of 25th Henry VIlI. chap. xv. sec. 4, granting to the lord chancellor, lord treasnnt, ue two chief justices, the power of regalatiB^ the prices of books ; and likewise so much of the 8 Anne as relates to the same.

1739, June. Died, Abthur Beiteswobtb, a wealthy bookseller of Patemoster-row. He left a legacy of twenty guineas to the statimes' company, to be applied to the purchase of a pair of silver candlesticks.

1739, Oct. 14. Died, Paul Vaillani, boA- seller in the foreign trade, aged 67 years.

1739, April 7. The Newcastle Journal, Na I. printed and published by Isaac Thompson and William Cuihbert. This paper was contimud until the death of Mr. Thompson, which hap- pened January 6, 1776.

1739. The Scot's Magazine, printed andpnb- lished by Messrs. Murray and Cochrane, £di»- burgh. This magazine kept a conspicuous statioa in the literary world from its commencement till 1817, when it was disposed of by auction.

1739, iVo«. 15. The Champion, No. I. The greater part of this work was written by the celebrated Henry Fielding, and was published thrice a week, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Satur- day. The last number appeared Jime 19, 1740, making ninety-four numbers, or two volumes. 12mo. The work has undergone three editkios.

1740. The first circulating library establkhed in London, was in this year, by a bookseller d the name of Wright, at No. 133, in the Strand.

ticeship with Mr. Robinson : ** If Trim Tnm have aay truth in it, Mr. Wyat is an honest and iugenioiis boefe- seller : bat. Indeed, it is character enough f^ him« tbathe was Mr. Robinson's apprentice. He prints Mr. Darring- ton's books. However, a bookseller is not always t table for the errors and bigotry of his authors."
 * Dimton mentions a Mr. Wyat, who served an 1