began a periodical publication, called the Analytical Review. Mr. Johnson was a man remarkably superior to mercenary views. He often proposed and entered into the reprint of books, which he considered as conducive to the best interests of his species, without the possibility of being reimbursed but in a very long time, and probably not at all. He often purchased the manuscripts of worthy persons in distress, when he had no intention ever to send them to the press. His benevolent actions are much too numerous to be related in such a work as this. His mind was of so admirable a temper, as almost never to be worn out with importunity; and he was not to be turned aside by the ingratitude of those he benefitted from doing that which he judged to be right in his latter years, Mr. Johnson was uncommonly reduced by a series of infirmities; he walked with difficulty; his frame was worn to a shadow; and, having mentioned on some occasion, that it was his desire to be borne to his grave by four poor men; he added, that in reality two would do, for, "they would have nothing to carry." Yet his faculties, and his power of conversation remained; and he scarcely remitted his attention to business, and not at all his disposition to be serviceable to others. He was always found an advocate on the side of human nature and human virtue; recommending that line of conduct which springs from disinterestedness and a liberal feeling, and maintaining its practicability.
A handsome monument, in the north-east corner of Fulham church, is thus inscribed:
Here lies the remains of
Joseph Johnson, late of Saint Paul's, London,
who departed this life on the 20th day of December, 1809,
aged 72 years.
A man equally distinguished by probity, industry, and disinterestedness in his intercourse with the public, and every domestic and social virtue in private life; beneficent with-out ostentation, ever ready to produce merit, and to relieve distress; unassuming in prosperity, not appalled by misfortune; inexorable to his own, indulgent to the wants of others; resigned and cheerful under the torture of a malady which he saw gradually destroy his life.
1809. There were sixty-three newspapers published in London: ninety-three in the country: twenty-four in Scotland: and fifty-seven in Ireland: making a total of 217 newspapers in the united kingdom.
1809, March 15. The Moderator. A periodical published in London, and written with elegance and candour.—Drake.
1809, April. The Quarterly Review, No. 1, edited by William Gifford,[1] and published by Murray, Albemarle-street, London.
1809. Sept. 30, Manchester Exchange Herald, No. 1, printed and published by Joseph Aston.
1809. The Antigallican. This newspaper was established by Lewis Goldsmith, notary public.
1808-9. The Librarian; being an account of scarce, valuable, and useful English Books, Manuscripts, Libraries, Public Records, &c.[2] By James Savage, London, three vols. 8vo.
1809. Bibliomania; or, Book Madness; containing some account of the history, symptoms, and cure of this fatal disease, in an epistle to Richard Heber, esq. London, 87 pages. By the rev. Thomas Frognal Dibdin.
1809. The Bibliomania, an espistle to Richard Heber, esq. by John Ferriar, M. D. London, 4to. This little poem very lightly touches the subject; and, to the regret of the reader, concludes almost as soon as begun.—Horne.
1809, Bibliosophia; or, Book Wisdom; containing some account of that glorious avocation book collecting, fc. 8vo. By an Aspirant. The author was the rev. James Beresford, fellow of Merton college, Oxford.
1809. Elements of General Knowledge, introductory to useful books in the principal branches of Literature and Science, with lists of the most approved authors, including the best editions of the classics. By Henry Kett,[3] B. D. 7th edit. London, two vols. 8vo.
1809. The Political Register, Sunday newspaper, began by Francis William Blagdon, in avowed opposition to that of William Cobbett.
1810, March 31. Died, John Wilkes, of Ave Maria-lane, London, proprietor of the Encyclopedia Londinensis[4] and formerly a bookseller at Winchester.
1810. Died, Robert Clerk, many years a bookseller and publisher in Parliament-square, Edinburgh. His father, John Clerk, a printer, was said to have been descended from Alexander Clerke, lord provost of the city of Edinburgh at the commencement of the seventeenth century. Mr. Clerk was born in 1738; and, about the age of seventeen, after finishing his apprenticeship, married Barbara, daughter of John Williamson, farmer at Bellside, near Linlithgow; and with her it is believed he obtained a small portion, which enabled him to commence bookseller on his own account.[5] Although at the period the book trade of Edinburgh was comparatively limited, he succeeded in establishing a profitable business—having a good many bookbinders employed, and latterly engaging in several fortunate speculations as a publisher.[6] In the course of a few years he purchased a house in the Cowgate, called "Kincaid's Land," where he resided some time. In 1782, he bought a property at Newhaven, known from its size by the name of the Whale. In 1809, having sold off his stock, and the Whale being without a tenant, Mr. Clerk let his house in Edinburgh, and retired to Newhaven. Here he continued for several years,
- ↑ At Mr. Gifford's death, in 1825, he requested his executors to destroy all confidential papers, especially those relating to the Review; so that the illustrated Quarterly, in which the names of the authors, and the prices paid for each article, are said to have been inserted, will never see the light. Amongst the contributors to the early numbers of the Quarterly, may be noticed Southey, Heber, Milman, Canning, Croker, Barrow, and others.
- ↑ The British Librarian: on abstract of scarce books in all languages. By William Oldys: London, 1738, 8vo.
- ↑ The Rev. Henry Kett was drowned at Stanwell, June 30, 1835.
- ↑ The Encyclopedia Londinensis began 1776.
- ↑ They had eight sons, six of whom died in infancy. Robert, the eldest, died in 1786; and Alexander, the only remaining son, is a solicitor-at-law, in Edinburgh.
- ↑ Among other works published by Mr. Clerk, was the Builder's Jewel, a book of considerable note in those days.
