EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
791
by Millar Ritchie, Albion-buildings, Bartholo- mew-close, London. Mr. Ritchie, may justly be considered the father of English fine printing, and the specimen which he gave in this bible renders him worthy of the title. A curious cir- cumstance attended the printing of it ; when it was far advanced towards conclusion, the two unirersities, and the king's printer, obtained an injunction to prevent its progress ; just at this period some person was printing a bible at Dub- lin, under the title of Jachton't Family Bible, widiout notes. Mr. W. Jackson, the university printer, at Oxford, brought an action against the Irish printer. It was solemnly argued, and the Irish court determined that a restriction upon printing authentic copies of the scriptures was not good, and the bible was proceeded with. Upon this,- Mr. Ritchie also took the liberty to proceed with his bible, and no more was heard of the injunetion. Two unique copies, upon India paper, printed on one side only, were taken. It was printed for John Parsons, Paternoster-row.
1796, March 1. Died, George Swindells, printer, in Hanging-bridge, Manchester, at the early age of thirty-six. He was a native of Disley, in Cheshire. Mr. Swindells was one of of the earliest publishers of works in nuinbers in that town ; and be also established an extensive business in ballads, Christmas carols, &c. which is still carried on by his eldest son, John.
1796, March 22. In an edict published at Erfurt, in Germany, for the instructions of the censors, or licensers of the press, provision is made, that those who publisn poems shall pay doable price per sheet for the writings they sub- mit to official examination.
Ktre an instance in wtiich he exceeded a dab of wits io tbat Dice airUr.
Mr. W ST, cutter in wood, made all the cats for The
Man in M« Uovn," ftc., and all sacb as I wanted for AthenM, Stc. Mr. W— «t did the curious flowers for Sal- mon's Herbal^ and exceeds all the town for cutting: in wood. He has ^t a habit of melting: his penny, and once a month is as great as a king ; but abating that reelinz vice, w— St is an honest man, and has about liim all that unaflbcted neglect of pomp in clothes, lodging, fumitoie, which agrees with Ills sedentary course of life.
Mr. , I fbrget lUs name, but I thiniL I can describe
his person and qualities, so as any bookseller may know liim. His person is tail and slender, his eyes quick and sparkling, and his features flourish in an oval form. So much for his body. As to his qualities, he is very pious, just, humble, modest, sincere, and the care he takes of his aged father will bring a blessing on all he has. Bat I need not enlarge ; for he tbat will read the character (Psalm xr) of "an inhabitant of that holy hill" will there read his true and most pure character.
Matthbw Wotton, a very cooiteons obliging man. His trade lies much among lawyers. He is so just to his word, that, if he was immonal, it would be altogether as good dependence as his bond. I hear he is a rising man ; and I am heartly glad of It, for the goods of this life can scarce fall into the hands of one who is better disposed to ose them well.
[Thomas Wotton, son of the above, acquired great re- putation both as an author and bookseller, lived many years at the Three Daggers and Queen's Head, against St. Donstan's church, where he succeeded his father, and where ha published, in 1727, the earliest history that we have of the English BaroneU^ being a Qenealogicat and HUtorieat AeeomU 0/ their Families, three vols. I2mo. — 1741, enlarged to Ave vols. Svo. Mr. Wotton was the pub- lisher of many worlcs of very considerable merit. He was master of the company ol stationers in 1757; and after having long retired from business, died at Point Pleasant, Sorry, April 1, 1789.]— WfcAoli.
1796, April. Died, Theophilus Thornton, bookseller, Southampton-street, Covent-garden. He was possessed of considerable talents; par- ticularly conversant in rare tracts and scarce portraits, but unfortunately had a very slender constitution; and was for some year; very in- firm. He was the son of the rev. Abume Tbom- ton, of East Bergholt, Suffolk, who died in December, 1772. Young Thornton was born about 1759 ; and in 1773 was placed in his ser- vice till 1784, when he commenced business on his own account. He lost his wife and only child in 1787, which so deeplyaffected his spirits that he never thoroughly recovered ; and died at his ]odgings,in Kentish Town, aged thirty-seven.
1796, May. Died, John Bilbv, son of the rev. Mr. Bilby, who had been bred a printer, of which be became so much enamoured, that he worked regularly a few hours a-day, gratii, for the period of fifty years. He died at Nottingham.
1796, May 6. Died, JoBV Binns, bookseller, of Leeds, in Yorkshire, was the eldest son of Nathaniel Binns, bookseller, Halifax, who died at an advanced age, in January, 1801. He was taught the art of bookbinding. Sec. under his father. About the age of twenty he went to London, and was employed by Mr. Crowder, bookseller, much to the satisfaction of his em- ployer. From thence be removed to Leeds, where he commenced business on his own account, and where he prosecuted it with avidity and singular success. Mr. Binns published his first catalogue in 1767; and continued to publish one for some time, every two or three years ; but for several years previous to his decease he pub- lished a catalogue annually. Mr. Binns was in business about thirty years. He died at Gran- tham, on a journey from London, at the age of fifty-two years. ' He was interred in St. Peter's church, Leeds^where a handsome marble monu- ment is erected to his memory. He was twice married. He was most indefatigable in business ; and his bibliographical knowledge was excelled by few. He was a partner in the Leeds Com- mercial Bank, under the firm of Scott, Binns, Nicholson, and Smith, from its commencement till his death. Mr. Binns was a very respectable amateur in the science of music; and about his eighteenth year be compiled a Dictionary of Mutic, whicn in a few years was published under the name of Hoyle. Mr. Binns was twice mar- ried, and left two sons and three daughters. He was immediately succeeded in the business by bis eldest son John ;* but he, being of a delicate constitution, died in a few years. The second son, Thomas, then entered upon the business, who, as well as his brother, engaged John Hea- ton to superintend and take the executive part of the business, and who succeeded them in the
- In 171)4, the property of the Leeds Mercury was trans-
ferred by James Bowling, the proprietor and editor, to Messrs. John Binns and George Brown, in whose hands it continued till March 7, 1801, when Uie copyright was purchased by Edward Baines, i>y whom, in conjunction with his son, Edward, the Mercury Is still conducted, and now ranks as one of the first provincial newspapers, in point of circulation, in the three kingdoms.
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