Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 43.djvu/433

  Fraser's Mag. 1850, xlii. 591; Royal Society's Cat. of Scientific Papers; Weld's Descriptive Cat. of Portraits, p. 55.] 

PARTINGTON, CHARLES FREDERICK (d. 1857?), scientific writer, was a professor of mechanical philosophy who, on the titles of his books, always designated himself as ‘of the London Institution.’ He was a lecturer on modern improvements in mechanics and on other subjects at mechanics' institutions, and edited and wrote many works treating on the sciences and on the practical working of various trades. In 1825 he brought out ‘Lectures on Select Subjects in Mechanics and Hydrostatics, by J. Ferguson, F.R.S., adapted to the present state of science.’ In the same year he published ‘The Century of Inventions, by the Marquis of Worcester, with Notes and a Biographical Memoir.’ He likewise commenced editing ‘The Scientific Gazette, or Library of Mechanical Philosophy, Chemistry, and Discovery,’ which only ran from July 1825 to 4 Feb. 1826. In conjunction with William Newton, civil engineer, he edited and partly wrote the second series of ‘The London Journal of Arts and Sciences, containing descriptions of every new patent; also original communications on science and philosophy;’ this periodical went to nine volumes, 1834–42. In 1835, ‘assisted by authors of eminence in the various branches of science,’ he edited ‘The British Cyclopædia of Arts and Sciences, Literature, History, Geography, Law and Politics, Natural History and Biography,’ of which the tenth and last volume appeared in 1837. In this work he himself wrote division i. parts i.–xxv., division ii. parts i.–xxiv., division iii. parts i.–xi. In 1833–4 he edited a work which came out in eighteen parts, entitled ‘National History and Views of London and its Environs, from original drawings by eminent artists,’ 2 vols.; 2nd edit. 1835–7, 2 vols. He was likewise the author of the following: 1. ‘An Historical and Descriptive Account of the Steam Engine, comprising a General View of the Various Modes of employing Elastic Vapour as a Prime Mover in Mechanics,’ 1822; 3rd. edit. 1826. 2. ‘A Brief Account of the Royal Gardens, Vauxhall,’ 1822. 3. ‘The Printers' Complete Guide, containing a Sketch of the History and Progress of Printing,’ 1825. 4. ‘The Mechanics' Gallery of Science and Art,’ 1825, vol. i.; no more printed. 5. ‘The Shipbuilder's Complete Guide,’ 1825. 6. ‘The Clock and Watchmaker's Complete Guide,’ 1825. 7. ‘The Engraver's Complete Guide,’ 1825. 8. ‘A Course of Lectures on the Steam Engine, to which is subjoined a copy of the Work on Steam Navigation published by J. Hulls,’ 1826. 9. ‘A Manual of Natural and Experimental Philosophy,’ 1828, 2 vols. 10. ‘Introduction to the Science of Botany, illustrated by a series of highly finished delineations of the plants, coloured to represent Nature,’ 1835. 11. ‘An Account of Steam Engines,’ 1835. 12. ‘The Builder's Complete Guide,’ 1852. 13. ‘Introductory Account of Messrs. Muir and Company's Machinery for the Manufacture of Rifle Sights,’ 1857.

[Catalogue of Library of the Patent Office, 1881, i. 491; Allibone's English Literature, 1871, ii. 1518.] 

PARTRIDGE, JOHN (fl. 1566), translator and poet, was author of: 1. ‘The worthie Hystorie of the most noble and valiaunt knight Plasidas, otherwise called Eustas, who was martyred for the profession of Jesus Christ. Gathered in English by John Partridge in the yere of our Lord 1566. Imprinted at London by Henrye Denham, for Thomas Hacket,’ 8vo, pp. 70, b.l. This is a versification, in fourteen-syllable verse, of a story found in Caxton's ‘Golden Legend’ (fo. 331 verso, 1st ed.), and in the ‘Gesta Romanorum’ (ch. cx., Roxburghe Club ed.). A prose letter is prefixed to ‘Arthur Dwabene, Marchaunt venturer,’ by ‘his servaunte and dayly oratour John Partridge.’ The poem has been edited by J. P. Collier in vol. iii. of his ‘Illustrations of Old English Literature,’ privately printed in 1866, and by H. G. Gibbs in 1873 for the Roxburghe Club in the ‘Hystorie of the Moste Noble knight Plasidas and other rare pieces: collected into one book by Samuel Pepys, and forming part of the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge.’ The book consists of several tracts bound together by Pepys. 2. ‘The notable Hystorie of two famous Princes of the worlde, Astianax and Polixena: wherin is set forth the cursed treason of Caulcas. Very pleasaunt and delectable to reade. Gathered in English verse by John Partridge in the yeare 1566. Imprinted at London by Henry Denham for Thomas Hacket. Mensis Maii. 7,’ 8vo, b.l. 3. ‘The most famouse and worthie Historie of the worthy Lady Pandavola, daughter to the mighty Paynim the greate Turke. Imprinted at London by Thomas Purfoote,’ 1566, 8vo, b.l. An inserted ‘Song made by the Translator’ proves this a translation, as is implied also in verses at the end of the poem addressed to ‘Thomas Baynam, his friende,’ by the author. The poem is in fourteen-syllable verse, and is included in the volume of Pepys already mentioned. 4. ‘The Ende and Confession of John Felton the rank Traytor, who