EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
771
whose name appeared to theadrertisement, proved that he took an inventory of the effects, agree- ahle to his instructions, had catalogues printed, and caused an advertisement to he published, first in the Chelmsford, and afterwards in the Ipswich paper; but that, in consequence of the writ of execution being superseded, the sale of the goods did not take place. He believed that Mr. Hamilton had more horses on the road than those advertised for sale, and that the coach did not discontinue running. — ^The counsel on the part of the plaintiff opposed the admission of the evidence, on the old ground, that in cases of libel, justification of the offence is not allowable; but Uie judge very properly over-ruled their objection in this instance. In summing up the evidence, he said there was no ground for the first count, the printer having given an indis- putable authority for its publication ; but that a verdict must be given against him in the latter case, and it was their province to ascertain the quantity of damages. — After some hesitaUon, the jury brought in a verdict for the plaintiff, with £80 damages.
1790, Aug. 1. Died, Joan Knox, a bookseller of eminence, in the Strand, London ; and who devoted the fortune he acquired by his business, to the improvement of his country, in the plan- ning of a herring fishery, and the settlement of new towns on the north-east coast of Scotland. He visited and explored that kingdom sixteen times in twenty-three years, beginning 1764 ; and in two volumes, gave a systematic view of Scotland in general. A society was formed at Edinburgh, and the Highland society in London extended their plan to his views, the progress of which, and his tour through the Highlands, and Hebrides, may be seen in the Gmtlmum't Magazine, vol. LVII, pag« 704. But, Mr. Knox's patriotism did not stop here, he formed a splended design of representing his native country in its Pictureique Scenery, by the hands of such artists as Sandby, Dodd, Catton, and Farrington. His address to the public on this occasion is preserved in the Gentleman's Maga- zine, vol. LIX. page 326 ; he died at Dfdkeith. 1790, Jan. 1. The York Herald, No. 1. 1790. The Leicester Herald, commenced by Richard Phillips ; who, being of a democratic spirit, was prosecuted the following year for selling Maine's Sights of Man, and sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment in Leicester jail. In 1795, his house and printing-office were destroyed by fire, soon after which he went to London, and was enabled 1^ his political friends to set up the Monthly Magazine, which was designed to be the organ of that faction. During his residence at Leicester, sir Richard says, that on one of the evenings prior to publication, two or three columns of matter were upset; and on purpose to send off the papers to Derby, Not- tingham, Sec. by the mail, a column of pie was put into the form; some lines were printed over it, and it was headed " Dutch Mail." He re- lates that he received many communications, requesting a translation.
]790, Dec. 23. The Bee; a paper consisting of essays, philosophical, philological, and mis- cellaneous, conducted by J. Anderson, LL. D.* published weekly, at Edinburgh, and regularly continued until eighteen volumes, small, 8to. were completed, when it was relinquished ; the first number commences with cursory hints and anecdotes of thij late doctor William Cullen,t of Edinburgh.
1790. The literary fund established for the eleemosynary relief of destitute authors, through the exertions of David Williams^ for which he was rewarded by a provision out of the funds of the institution, and a residence in the house.
1790. The Holy Bible. 24mo. printed by Scatcherd and Whitaker, London.
1790. The Naturalist's Pocket Magazine. 12mo. nine vols.
1790. The Analytical Review.
1791, April 23. Died, Lockyeb Davis, a bookseller of very considerable reputation, in Holbom, opposite Gray's Inn. He succeeded to a business which had long been carried on by his uncle, Mr. Charles Davis. He was book- seller to the royal society, and nominally their printer. He was also one of the nominal' print- ers of the votes of the house of commons ; an honour at that time coveted by the profession ;
- James Anderson wu the author of nnmeroua works
on acnicnlture >nd polltlctl economy; and Ma treatisea, though they cannot beast of elegance of style, or correct Deas of language, Iwar evidence, however, to the lienevo- lence, the Information, and the Judgment of the writer. He was born in Scotland, and died, at Westham, near London, December, 1808.
t William CuUen, an eminent physician, was born at Hamilton, in Lanarkshire, Dec. II, 1711, and died at Klrknewton, Feb. 5, 1700. He served his s^inrenticeahip to a SQri;eon at Olasgow. In 1740 he took his degree of M.D., and in 1740, he was chosen lecturer in chemistry at Glasgow. In 175fi, he was elected pdrofesaor of chemis- try at Edinburgh, where, in 1766, he was chosen to tfa* medical chair, in which he raised the reputation OT that university to an unequalled height in physical sdenee.
t David Williams was born in Glamorganshire, and edu- cated at a seminary in Carmarthen, with the intention of entering the ministry among the dissenters. His first appearance in that character was at Frome, in SomerBet- shire, from whence he removed to Exeter. The levity of the i»eacher and some deviations from the line of conduct which ought to mark the Christian pastor, occasioned his dismissal and he was obliged to quit the West of England abraptly. He then settled in London, and, for a little time, acted as minister at Highgate ; but as his principles were rather free, he soon broke otT his connexion with the dis- senters, and commenced a new plan of education, which promised wonders and ended in nothing. This scheme, however, he carried on for some time at Chelsea, and had Dr. Franklin for a lodger, with whom he conceited ttte plan of establishing a deistical congregation. For some time the novelty attracted great notice, and many persons at distinction attended the lectures, but InMelity kself has few charms for the pablic, so that it is no wonder the chapel was soon deserted, and this minister of the religion of nature left to exert his wits in some other calling. His next u>pearance was in Paris, where he had been invited to assist the botchers who were busily employed in the manufacMre of constitutions ; but David WilUam, how- ever, had more good sense and Uberali^ than to join in their ferocious designs ; and he even had the courage to oppose them, for which he was denounced as a royalist. On this he returned to England, and devoted bis time to literary pursuits. In 1804 appeared the Claimt 0/ Utt. rature, or the Origin, Motira, flrc. 0/ the Societjf far the eatabliahmento/a Literary Fund. 8to. by Mr. Williams and William Boscawen, esq. a commissioner of the victoaliog oAce, and well known by his translation of Horace. Mr. Boscawen died May (I, ISII, and Mr. Williams, June 20,
I 1810.
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