SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
397
1587, Sept. 13. As a proof of the popularity of the Italian language in England at this time, archbishop Vvhitgift permitted an edition of the Decameron of Bocace,* to be printed by Wolfe ; and the bishop of London allowed the Amorous Fiametta\ of the same author, to be printed by John Cbarlewood. In the following year, several other Italian works received a privilege to be printed.
1587, Oct. In the company of stationers' book is an an entry of a lieeiue to John Charle- woode, bv the whole consent of the assistants, that be shall liave " the only imprinting of all manner of bilU for playert; provided that if any trouble arise hereby, then Charlewood to bear the charges."
1587. The first Almanack printed in Ireland, wasby William Farmer, Dublin, 4to. Few books were as yet printed in Ireland; whatever was written there was sent to London, Douay, Paris, or Antwerp.
1588, Feh. 15. Died, John Bienne, of whose birth and origin no account has been discovered, distinguished himself not a little amongst the learned printers of Paris. Maittaire finds nis Latin impressions first mentioned in 1566. He espoused the widow of William Morel, and was put in possession of his appara- tus and establisnment. There seems to be no proof extant of his possessing the title of " Typo- graphus Regius," beyond his use of the mark hitherto peculiar to artists who enjoyed that honour. Maittaire does not attribute the dis. tinction to him, but acknowledges that he de- served it. His name is frequently found in con- junction with those of other "libraires," who occasionally share in his literary speculations, or employed his press. Chevillier attributes to him. Novum Testamentum Syriace et Grtece, cum venione interlineari Latina, 4to. 1584;" which was in fact a joint impression with Simon Prevosteau. But the chef (fteuvre of the press of Bienne, is doubtless Demoitkenes, Grace, rum scholiU Utpiani, fol. the impression of which had however been commenced by William Morel, twelve years before ; but was interrupted partly by the civil wars, partly by the domestic embarrassments of that meritorious printer, and partly by his death. Bienne had the glory of resuming and perfecting this fine volume, under the inspection and revision of Lambinus ; and the variations in the titular subscription of dif- ferent copies prove, that Jacobus Dupuys, and Michael Somnius, both participatea in the charge of the impression. Some copies exhibit
- Boccado'B Decameron is a collection of one hundred
□OTellettcs, in which he gave a degree of polish to his country's language unknown before.
t Amarotu Finmetta. Wherein ia tette downe a cata- logue of alt and singuler pattiont of love and iealotie^ tflct. deni to an enamored young gentlewoman, tvith a noble cauealfor all women to eachewe deceitfuU and wicked tove^ by an apparent example of a Neapolitan ladi/, hernpproued and long miseries, and wyth many sound deportations from the same- First wrytten in Italian, by master John Boc- eace, the learned Florentine, and Poet Laureate. And now done into English, by B. Gimuano del M. Temp Printed for llioinaa Gubbin. 4to.
the names and marks of these respective " li- braires." Reiske made this the basis of his edition. He has given a minute account of it, Prtefat. ad Demotth. and says the part executed by Morel, namely, as far as the Oratio de falsa legatione, has greatly the superiority over the latter part edited by ikmbinus: both with regard to the critical labour bestowed upon it, the cor- rectness of the typography, and even the quality of the paper.
An epigram by Scasvola Sammaranthus, seems to imply that he perished by the hands of an assassin. It is said he left a daughter, so accom- plished in Greek and Hebrew as to be able to conduct the printing of works in those languages.
1688. John Wyohte, or Wight, was a member of the worshipful company of drapers ; and although he was not a brother of the wor- shipful company of stationers, seems, on account of his profession, to have been under their juris- diction. He was once fined by them for keeping open shop on St. Luke's day ; another time, because that he had certain books, (which seem to have been Pnnt«rs,) illicitly printed, found in his custody, for this he was fined iiij/. His residence was at the sign of the Rose, at the north door of St. Paul's. He was accounted more of a bookseller than a printer; although twenty-three works bear his imprint, from the commencement of his typographical labours in 1551, and to which he fixed the annexed very handsome device.
In 1686, he printed A booke of the arte and manner how to plant and graffe altsortes of trees. Sec. translated from the French by Leonard Mascall, and dedicated to sir John Paulet, knight, lorde St. John, in which are found the following old English rules for purchasing land.
Who so wil be wise in purchasing.
Lot him consider these points following.
First see that the lands be cleare.
In title of the sellar.
And that it stand in danger.
Of no woman's dowrie.
See whether the tenure be bond or free.
And release of euerie feqfee.
See that the seller be of etge.
And that it lie not in morgage.
Whether a taile be thereof found.
And whether it stand in statute bound.
Consider what service longeth thereto.
And what quitrent thereout smut go.
And if it be come of a wedded woman.
Think thou then on couert baron.
And if you may in any wise,
Hake thy charter with warrantise.
To thee, thine heires, assignes also.
Thus should a wise purchaser do.
VjOOQ IC
