806
HISTORY OF PRINTING.
The following list will shew the number and increase of newspapers, and the amount of duty:
17SS 7^11,757 1779 U,i06,S*i
ir«0 9,46«.790 1780 I4,»)7.S7I
1774 11,300,000 1790 U,035,(^
177s 12,680,000 1791 U,794>><1
177(1 13,830,000 1791 14,794,198
1777 13,150,543 179s 17,073,641
1778 13,340,059
1798. TttenmnberofnewsiMipenseiitthroiightbe Loudon IXMt- oace daring this year, was 8,600,000.
1797. Stamps on newspapers : Ensrland,jf 144,940 14«.10rf. —Scotland, ieg,tai lu. gd.— Total, d:iu,ti3 71.?<<■
1798. The net duty received on advertisements in the Cnlted Kingdom was, for newspapers, j£'83,104; on pam- phlets, ^15.1 i for stamps on newspapers, j^'154,433; Eng- land, jm5,154| Scotland, 15,521; Ireland, ^6,103.*
1799. Advertisements in newspapers paid ^103,9901 in pamphlets, 1^168; stamps on newspapers, j£'180,340i England, j^!00,83l; Scotland, ^17,694; Ireland, ^4,873.
1800. Advertisements in newspapers, j^79,S08; inpam- pUets, .^333; stamps on newspapers, jf 184,304 1 England, .^338,817; Scotland, .^18,754; Ireland,;«6,873.
1600. The number and cost of all the new puUicattons pnblished in London daring this year amoonted to 693, and the cost of a single copy of each work, in boards, was .affS30 5s.
Having recorded the most particular events connected with the press of Great Britain during the eighteenth century, and given, however im- perfectly, the progress which has been made in liberty and knowledge, we cannot refrain.in the first place, of drawing the attention of the young typographer to those names which shine so con- spicuously in the annals of the press of this very important period. Though our limits have compelled us to be brief, regarding those worthy men, still they stand forth as bright examples, worthy of imitation, and excite him to pursue the same honourable course, which will, unless un- foreseen misfortune and severe ill health inter- vene, lead to the same results : — that industry, perseverance, and integrity, will be rewarded with honour, wealth, and distinction.f
"I have always considered," says Goldsmith, "the press as the protector of our freedom; as a watchful guardian, capable of anitingthe weak against the encroachment of power. What con- cerns the public most properly admits of public discussion." How dinerent are the sentiments here expressed, to those of men, whose minds be- ing warped by ignorance or prejudice, contend against the liberty of the press, or the education of the people : who vindicate and support that dark brooding bigotry that would chain down human intellect to creeds and systems devised in times of barbarity, and demonstrate bow
- Prior to 181 7 no acconnt was recorded In Ireland, bat
the stamp receipts on newspapers were united with all other branches.
t The following entmieration of printers, booksellers, and stationers, who acquired honour and wealth during the past centniy, may not be unacceptable :
Siembert of Parliament : — Chorchill, Gay, Longman, Simmons, William Strahan, Andrew Strahan and Tonson.
Lardllanmt of London :— Barber, Boydell, Gill,Jansen, and Wright.
Authon :— Almon, Bage,Binxle7,Bowyer,Brice, Dodsley, Donton, Franklin, Goadby, Henry, Jones, Nichols, Palmer, Richardson, Ruddiman, Russell, Smellie, Towers, Watson, Wynne, and many others.
ITeaM* .-—Basket. Bowyers, Cadell, Cave, ChnrcliiUs, Caslon, Davis, Dodsley, Franklin, Gill, Guy,JackBoo,Knox, Untots, Longman, Lonnds, Millar, Osborne, Simmons, Strahans, Tonsons, and Wright.
truly, even in the present day, the abettors of them are the tyrants and hypocrites they are said to be. They will not erase a single letter from the exploded dogrmas of their ancestors; they will not unclose one solitary link of the iron chain of rule which their predecessors wielded. They tremble at the thought of retributive jus- tice, but they have to contend with
" Jfm, high-minded men With powers as lar above dull bmta endued.
In forest, brake, or den. As t)easts excel cold rocks and brambles rode;
Men who their duHea know. But know their rigkU; and knowing dare maintaia*
Prevent the long-aimed blow. And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain."
Sir WiUiam Jomf.*
In whatever country the freedom of the press
has been tolerated, the intellectual improve- ment of society has advanced equally with national prosperity. Man has become a more free, a more industrious, a more rational, and a more happy creature. His comforts have become more abundant and less savage as his knowledge has extended. In proportion us the curb has been removed fiwm bis tongue, and the expan- sion of bis mental faculties encouraged, in the same ratio has he become more useful to himself, and more beueficial to his fellow-creature. A^en will the stale doctrines of the convent be exploded? When will the mind be left tm- fettered, and the veil of ignorance be withdrawn by the hand of despotism? When will the rulers of the earth grow wise, and give their subjects the exercise of their own minds? It is true, they give them leave to think, but they must not communicate, they must not advise; they may abhor in their hearts, but their lips must not g^ve the semblance of utterance to the strong reprobation they feel. In reference to our own country, Sheridan, in one of his im- passioned moments, once said : — ^" Give me a tyrant king — give me a hostile house of lords — give me a corrupt house of commons — ytet me the preu and 1 will overturn them all!"
- Sir William Jones was born .in London, in 1748, and
educated at Oxford, where to his classical pursuits be added the study of the Persic and Arabic, and also the Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. In 1770, he entered oa the study of the law at the Temple. In 1783 he obtained the appointment ofa Judge of the supreme court at Calcutta, and the honour of knighthood on this occasion, and mar- ried Anna Maria Shepley, daughter of the bishop of St. Asaph. In April of that year he embarked for Inma, and on Uie voyage projected the establishment of a society In Bengal, for the purpose of iUastrating oriental antiquities and literature. The volumes of its transactions are inesti- mable, and are enriched by several valuable productiOBS ftom his pen. As Judge he was indefatigable and impar- tial. He studied the native laws of the country, and be- came so versed in the Sanscrit and the codes of the Brah- mins, as to gain the admiration of the most learned men in that country. Though eminent as an oriental scholar, sir William also wrote some lyric pieces of great beauty, which are mnch admired, and have added to our current phraseology a few hif^hly energetic and beautiftil czprcs. Bions. His Ode in Imitation of Alctnu, is a heart- Stirling effusion of patriotism. This excellent man died in India, April 3, 1794. His works were collected and published In 6 vols. 4to. 1799, and his Lift, written by sir John Shore, lord Teignmonth, in one voU 4to. in 1804. A beautiAil monnment has been erected to his memory in St. Paul's I cathedral, by the East India company.
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