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 NINETEENTH CENTURY.

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whom be learnt some rudiments of the gentle ciftfl. At an early age, he left his home to seek his fortune in the world, and found employ- ment at Halifax, where af^er some time spent with riotous companions, he received a strong conviction of the necessity of religibn: he abandoned bis former conrse of life, and sought every opportunity within his means of improving bis mind, and particularly with the scriptures. He soon obtained friends, who assisted him in the pursuit of knowledge, and by whose kind- ness and assistance he was sent to one of the dis- senting colleges. Here, br intense application to the studies required, and the piety which be manifested, be was soon thought sufficient to undertake the charge of a congregation. Having been called to the ministry, bis lirst permanent residence was at Pontcfract, where his income being small, be commenced the trade of a book- seller and printer. In 1807, he published a History of Pontefracl, 8vo. He now applied diligently to study the Hebrew language, which he ably accomplished, without any other assist- ance than a Hebrew Dictionary, Grammar, and Bible; with no other assistance, by dint of great exertion and perseverance, he acquired so thorough a knowledge of the language, that in 1810 he commenced the publication of a work issued in quarterly parts ,en\.\\.\eiBibliaHebraica, or the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, 4to. Upon this work, Mr. Booth- royd frequently worked at the press six or eight hours a-day, besides compiling the manuscript, and examining and correcting the proof sheets, in whieb bis compositor only knew the letters. He was also much assisted by bis wife, who compared the proofs with the manuscript, letter by letter. After this he began a translation of the whole Bible into English, the last sheet of which be corrected in the last week of bis ill- ness. Dr. Bootbroyd was forty -two years in the ministry, twenty-four of which were passed at Poutefract, and the latter eighteen at Hudders- fleld; and at the time of bis decease was sixty- eight years of age. His attainments were far from inconsiderable in many branches of learn- ing. His manners were always open and oblig- ing, and he ever maintained, with much urbanity of mind, a deep sense of religion,

1836, Sept. 15. Upon this day came into operation the reduction of the stamp duty upon newspapers, from fourpence* to one penny. If the consumption of news|Kipers increased in defiance of taxes and restrictions, how much more will they multiply now that the duty is reduced to a sum, sufficient to defray their con- veyance by post, and contributing considerably to the revenue, is shewn by an increase of about 18,000,000 upon the annual consumption; re- quiring for tneir annual supply 90,000 reams of paper. The operative and labouring classes of sociew can never read too much. Every facing that is afforded Uiem to add to theirstock of inforinaticHi, is, in a political point of view.


 * WItb an •llowanee of twenty per oent dlacomit

beneficial. The more they become acquainted with the theories and disquisitions of political writers, and the more intensely they muse over the arguments advanced in support of opposite systems, the less effect has declamation on their passions, and the less liable are they to be misled Dy, or made converts to the Utopian, but seduc- tive scliemes of fancifnl and popular authors.

1836. Sept. Mr. Price, the patentee of the Dublin Gazette, surendered his right on a super. annuation of £1500 a-y ear. He is nearly related to the Castlereagh family, and about eigbty-five years of age. No government advertisements in the Gazette are to be charged in future, and any profits over the expense of printing and manage- ment will be credited to the public.

1836, Nov. 6. Died, James Robins, many years a bookseller and publisher, in Ivy-lane, Patemosier-row, London, also the author and editor of several works, among which was the History of England during the Reign of George III., which he published under die assumed name of " Robert Scott."

1836, Nov. 9. Died, William Blanchard, esq., for nearly sixty years proprietor of the York Chronicle. Mr. Bianchard was chosen a mem- ber of the York corporation, in Feb. 1780, and served the office of sheriff for that city in 1817. He had just completed his eighty-seventh year. Mr. J. Bianchard, his youngest son and partner, died June 14, 1814, aged thirty years.*

1836, Nov. 26. Died, Thokas Cadell, an eminent bookseller of the Strand, London. He was the only son of Thomas Cadell, esq. noticed at page 804, ante. In 1793 his father retired from trade, leaving the business, which he bad made one of the first in London, to his son and Mr. William Davies, who jointly carried it on

• William Bianchard, the eminent comedian, wu a native of York, where he was bronght np by hii nnde, Mr. WUIlam Bianchard, who apprenticed him to the printiar botinen, in his own offlce. Atthe ageof Kven- teen, however, he left home, to Join a company of come- dians, at Buxton, where he made his debut under the aasamed naou of Bentiey, in the part of AUen a Dale, in Robin Hood, and a favourable reception induced him to pursue his theatrical career. Hla success continuing, he was induced after a year or two to appear in his proper name. On the 1st of October, 1800, be made his first bow to a London audience, in the character of Acres, In the Rivals, and Crack, in the Turnpike Gate. His correct delineation of the numerous characters wtiich he socoee- sively assumed in play, farce, and opera, made him an univeraal hvourite. Hr died May g, 1 83S, aged sixty -six years. He was twice married, and had several children.

" The ptlntlng-oaice,'' says a modern writer, " may almost be looked upon as the nursery of the stage. There are at least twenty actors of note, who have many a time pot in type eritidsms on others, ere they had tboee gene* raUy learned docDments directed to themselves." Amonc the most eminent on the boards at this time, oiay lie mentioned Robert Keeley ,o( the Olympic theatre, who waa bound apprentice to Luke Hansard, and with whom ha remained four years, when he evinced a predilection for the stage, and immediately obtained an engagement. Ha was 1mm In London in the year I7!KI.

George B. Davidge, the active manager and actor of I^ondon, was bora in Bristol, in the year 1793, where ka served his apprenticeship to the printing buaiaeas, and worked as a journeyman in Batii.

Mr. Wilson, the celebrated singer, was born in Bdia- burgh, December 95, 1801, waa bred a printer, and filled for several years the responsible sitnatloo of principal co r rec to r of the press in the hooseof BallantyneandOo. He made his debut In Vis native city, March 17, IBS*.

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