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HI8T0RY OF PRINTING

to tbe society for promoting Christian knowledge; and been unifonniy patronized by the episcopal bench, and the higher order of the clergy. The family of Mr. Charles Rivington have always been much connected with the company of stationers. At one time his father, two uncles, and their brothers were, with himself, liverymen of the company. His youngest brother, Henry Rivington, died clerk of the company, June 9, 1829. He left a nephew and four sons, livery- men of the company, and four daughters. The character of Mr. Rivington, through life, left the wannest sentiments of regret among his numerous friends and connexions. He was dis- tinguished for mildness of temper, and his con- versation was enlivened by the recital of lite- rary history and anecdote. His death was sud- den, having died, it is supposed, whilst dressing himself, in his seventy-seventh year.

18S\,JiU]f 17. DiedjJoati Price, for many years proprietor, editor, and printer of the Lei- cester Jowmal, in the old tory school of politics. Mr. Price died at Leicester, respected by a large circle of acquaintance, aged seventy years.

1831, Aug. 11. Died, Mr. Leigh, bookseller, in the Strand, London. He put an end to his existence by cutting his throat.

1831, Avg. 25. Died, Amdbew Straban, printer to his majesty. This estimable character was the third son of William Strahan, esq. many years his majesty's printer, who died July 9, 1786. It is acknowledged by all who knew him, that he inherited his father's professional emi- nence, his political attachments, his consistency of public conduct, and his private virtues, and by these secured a reputation which will not soon be forgotten. Like nis father, too, he acquired great literary property and influence in the learned world, by purchasing the copyrights of the most celebrated authors of his time ; fre- quently in connexion with his friend, Mr. alder- man Cadell. By his generous encouragement of genius, Mr. Andrew Strahan soon attained the very highest rank of his profession, and became equally eminent for the correctness of his typo- graphy, and the liberality of his dealings. Benevolence was a striking feature in his charac- ter. In 1822, he presented jElOOO, three per cents, to the literary fund; and byhis will he bequeathed £1000 each to six other charitable institutions. During Mr. Strahan's long and active life he filled various offices and situations, and in all his conduct was exemplary. In 1797 he was elected representative for Newport, in Hampshire, in 1802 and 1806forWaxdiam,in 1807 for Carlow, in 1812 for Aldeborough, and satin parliament until 1818, when he retired from public life in consequence of his advanced age (71). In 1804, he was elected on the court of assistants of the stationers' company, but declined the honourable degrees of office. In 1815, he transferred to the company £1225 four per cents, for the benefit of printers. From the age to which he had arrived, and the company to which he bad been accus- tomed, joined to the happiest powers of memory and recollection, his conversation was replete

with literary anecdote, which he related in a manner that had all the charms of good humour, and all the security of the strictest veracity. In all his intercourse with his friends and professional brethren, he evinced an uncommon vigour of mind, which he retained to the last. His futhfol friend and active partner.William Preston,* died before him. He med at his bouse, in New-street, near Fleet-street, London, in the eighty4hird year of his age, and wajs interred at Headly, in Surry, on Friday, Sept. 2. He left property to the amount of more than a million of money, and was succeeded in the office of king's printer by his nephewSjAndrew & Robert Spottiswoode.f The company of stationersplaced a portrait of Mr. Strahan 4: by the late William Owen, RA , at their expense, about the time he became a benefactor.

1831, Sept. I. Died, George Fulton, author of an improved system of education, one of the four teachers of English appointed by the town council, under the patronage of the city corpora- tion of Edinburgh, and for more than twenty years eminent as a teacher of youth. He was bom Feb. 3, 1752, served his apprenticeshin to a printer at Glasgow, and aflerwards worked as a journeyman with Mr. Willison of Edinburgh. He also practised his profession at Dumfries. During the long course of his profesdonal life he was indefatigable in his endeavours to impiore the method which be had invented, and simplify his notation; and the result of his studies was embodied in a Pronouncing Dictionary, which has been introduced into almost all the schools in the kingdom. Mr. Fulton was an eminent instance of the union of talent with frugal and virtuous habits. Having realized a considerable fortune by teaching, he resigned his school to his nephew, Mr. Andrew Knight, and for the last twenty years of his life, enjoyed otium cum digni- tate, at a pleasant villa called Summerficld,neat Newhaven, which he purchased in 1806. He was twice married, but had no children. He died in tlie eightieth year of his age.

• yraUam PrestoD was born tt BdiDbni^h, Julr S8, \7Vt, and received his education at the unlversitf of that dtjr. Be served an apprenticeship to the printing bntiiHis under Walter Ruddiman, after which, in 1760, he pro- ceeded to London, and obtained a situation as a composi- tor in the office of Mr. William Strahan ; he was aooo promoted to the reader's desk, then to the superintendence of that vast concem, and finally as a partner with Andrew Strahan, whose confidence and Mendshlp he maintained dnringr life. Mr. Preston very early became a meat. ber of the fhitemity of freemasons, instituted the Fm- nuuon't Calmdar, and at one time acted as the editor. He published J catalogue of Thmnat BtuUanan'i hookt, Sro. llbatmHoM of Matoitrp, ISmo. I772, of which twdw editions were published. Mr. Preston died April ;, 18)8, and was buried in St. Panl's.

t Robert Spottlswoode, esq., died at Carlisle, Sept !, I83S, aged foity-one. He was the youngest son cf John Spottlswoode, esq.of 8potttowoode,by the youngest dangli- ter of William Strahan, esq. king's printer. From reqwct to his private worth and public qualifications, be had been recently elected by his brother Uverymen one of the stodi keepers of the stationers' company ; and from his abilities and activity, his death was a great loss to that most eitea- sive establishment, the king's i»inting house.

» The rev. George Strahan, D.D., elder brother of Andrew, prebendary of Rochester, and for upwards of fiftr years vicar of St Mary's, Islington, died May IS, I6J<, sged eighty-one years.

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