those of foreign nations, began from that time to be highly prized; and the exportation of them became a valuable article of commerce. Having done so much for the art of engraving, he resolved to direct his efforts to encouraging the art of painting in this country. To this effect he attempted that undertaking, the salutary effects of which have proved incalculably great, and which exhibited to an astonished and delighted age—the Shakspeare gallery. What with his engraving of prints at an unusual expense, and his labouring to establish this first British school of historical painting, he expended something more than three hundred and fifty thousand pounds.
Reflecting on the exertions of alderman Boydell, one cannot but regret that the property which his industry had so richly acquired was subject to its reverses. Owing to the French revolution, and the consequent war, this worthy man experienced such losses as to be under the necessity of procuring an act of parliament for leave to dispose of the paintings, &c. by lottery. The good old man had the satisfaction of living to see the act passed through both houses of parliament, and of being cheered in its progress the eulogium of several individual members.[1] It was rather singular that he should have just lived long enough to see the Shakspeare lottery disposed of; for, on the day he paid the debt of nature, not a ticket remained unsold. To every benevolent institution alderman Boydell was a generous benefactor and an attentive guardian. His remains were interred in great funeral state, in the afternoon of the 19th of December, in the church of St. Olave Jewry.[2]
Invincible determination seems to have been one of the constitutional qualities of alderman Boydell. Having once formed the resolution to become an engraver, nothing could divert him from pursuing his design. Indefatigability is requisite to successfulness. Boydell has shown, to those who desire to pursue his steps, that industry, patience, and perseverance, united to talents, and joined with conduct,[3] are, humanly speaking, certain to surmount all difficulties or impediments. Josiah Boydell, nephew to the above, was an alderman of the city of London, and also eminent as an engraver.
1804, Jan. Censura Literaria Restituta, by sir Egerton Brydges, bart.
1804. The Galvanist, by Hydra Polycephalus, esq. extends but to eleven numbers; and the greater part of these are employed in ridiculing and correcting the follies and vices of academical life. In a moral point of view, they deserve much praise. The metrical paraphrase of Ossian,[4] in No. 8, is beautiful.—Drake.
1804. The Intruder. A periodical paper published at Aberdeen; and which, notwithstanding the local nature of part of its contents, possesses sufficient merit, both in style and matter, to instruct the general reader.
1804, July. The Repertory of Arts and Manufactures, No. 1.
1804, April 23. The Miniature, No. I. The essays under this title, the joint production, it is said, of four very young men, the sons of the marquis Wellesley, of Dr. Rennell, of Mr. Knight, and Mr. Canning, form the second periodical paper which issued from the college of Eton. The first edition consists of thirty-four numbers, forming an 8vo. volume, which was dedicated to Dr. Joseph Goodall, head master of Eton college. The second edition, in two vols. 12mo, consists of forty numbers. The Miniature, both in literary merit and knowledge of life and manners, is inferior to the Microcosm.
1804. Imperial Review.
1804. The Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, published by Archibald Constable. It was continued till 1826, and was throughout a successful publication.
1805, March 20. Died, William Rose, a printer and bookseller at Lincoln, aged fifty-one years. His father had also been a respectable printer and bookseller there.
1805, July 2. Died, Richard Bond, aged eighty years. He had been a master printer of some eminence at Gloucester, but his business failed, and he was employed as a compositor, in the service of William Bowyer, jun., in London. In 1792 he was elected to enjoy Mr. Bowyer's liberal bequest; being the fourth person who had been elected.
1805, July 5. Died, Samuel Brookes, a deserving journeyman printer, whose modest merit justifies his being particularly noticed. Mild, unassuming, and courteous in his demeanour, he constantly gave satisfaction to his employers; and cheerfully toiled through life, for the maintenance of a numerous young family, two of whom he brought up to his own profession. He possessed an understanding of a superior cast; and had the honour of being frequently consulted by the right hon. George Rose,
- ↑ In a sermon preached before the corporation of London, Jan 18, 1804, by the rev. John Perring, a very high panegyric is paid to the labours of alderman Boydell.
- ↑ In 1779, he presented to the stationers' company Mr. West's celebrated painting of Alfred the Great dividing his last loaf with the stranger. This painting is placed over the master's chair in the court-room of the company. On the right hand of the chimney-place there is a whole-length portrait, inscribed, "Portrait of John Boydell, esq., lord mayor of the city of London; painted by Mr. Graham, and presented by him to the company of stationers, June 8, 1792." In the council-chamber of Guildhall are displayed both his patriotism and his ardour for the advancement of the arts. He presented to the corporation of the city of London, several valuable pictures.
- ↑ How different was the conduct of his companion, Chatelaine, who in the same workshop was etching and engraving at one shilling an hour, frequently would ask for sixpence at the end of the first half hour, and retire to the ale-house to spend it.
- ↑ A translation of the poems of Ossian, the son of Flagal, appeared in 1762. This performance of James Macpherson, exited a long and acrimonious controversy, in which Dr. Hugh Blair early distinguished himself. It produced some severe animadversions from Dr. Johnson, which the author resented, and added to his resentment some menacing expressions, which produced from the doctor that very spirited and intrepid letter which Boswell has published in his Memoirs. James Macpherson was born at Ruthven, in the county of Inverness, July 3, 1728, and died Feb. 17, 1796. For a defence of lord North's administration, he obtained a place and a seat in the house of commons.
