490
HISTORY OF PRINTING.
1607, June. In the Black Book of Wantick h an order of council of this date, to that corpo- ration, directing them to assist John Speed in his improvement on Saxton'i mapt of Great Britain. This book is in the possession of the corporation of Warwick, and relates to the his- tory of the reigns of Elizabeth and James I.
John Speed, though originally brought up to the business of a tailor, became eminent as a chronologist, historian, and antiquary, was born in 1555. He wrote, in folio, tbe'Hiitory of Great Britain, from Julim Ceuar to James t. and died at London, July 28, 1629.
1607. John Cowell, an English civilian, pub- lished in this year a work entitled the Interpreter, or an Explanation of Law Temu. The house of commons caused this book to be burnt, on account of its being too favourable to the regal prerogative. He was born in Devonshire, in 1654, and brought up at Cambridge, where he became a professor of civil law, and master of Trinity hall. In 1605 he wrote Inttitutet of the Laws of England. He died at Cambridge, October 11, 1611.
1607, JtUt/ 16. King James, with the queen, prince Henry, and divers lords, is entertained Dv the company of merchant tailors. Master Benjamin Jonson, the poet, " for the reputation and credit of the company," was caterer-general of the music, speeches, and inventions; "by reason that the companv doubt that their school- master and schoUeres be not acquainted with such kind of entertainments." Dr. John Bull,* chamber musician to the king, was free of that company, says Stowe, " being in a citizen's gown, cap, and hood; and while his majesty was at table, the doctor played a most excellent melody upon a single pair of organs, placed there for that purpose only." It was upon this occasion, says Mr. Clark, that the national anthem of Crod save the Kinff\^ was first performed for the purpose of celebrating the king's escape from the gunpowder plot.
- JohnBollwuacelebratedinaiiciaii.bomaboat isSs,
in Somersetshire. His master in music wuWillianiBUthe- man, organist of the cbajiel royal of queen Elizabeth, in which capacity he was much distingnisbed. Boll, on the death of his master, in isgi, was appointed his succes- sor. In 1509, he was created doctor in the unlTersity of Cambridge; and in 1590, at the recommendation of her majesty, he was made professor of music to Gresham col- lege, wUch situation be resigned in 1607. After the death of Elizabeth, Bull was appointed chamber mosidan to king James. In 1613, he finally quitted England, and entered into the service of the archduke, in the Nether- lands. He afterwards seems to have settled at Lubec, from which many of his comixwitions are dated, and are as late as 1623, the supposed year of his decease. He seems to have been praised at home more than re- warded. It is a misfortuoe to Dr. Bull's fame, that he left little evidence of liis great jxiwers, except the transcen- dently magnificent anthem of Ooi save the King.
This anthem has been attributed, but erroneously, to Henry Carey, a musical composer and |x>et, who was an illegitimate son of SavUle, marquis of Halifax. He put an end to his existence in 1744.
t An account of the national anthem, entitled, Ood •oM Me King, with authorities, taken from Slon College Ubrary, the entered records of the merchant tailors' com- pany, the old cheque book of bis ma^iesty's chapel, &c. Selected, edited, and arranged by Richard Clark, gent, of his majesty's Chapel, &c. London, isaj, 8vo. with plates and music.
1607. John Wkbittoun, a printer of Edia- burgh, printed an edition of Shakspeare's Venue and Adonis, which must be considered as an in- dubitable proof, that at a very early period the Scotch knew and admired the genius of that great poet. The following is its title-page.
"Venos and Adonis.
VlUa mlretnr valgus, mlhi flavus Apollo, Pocola Castalia plena miniatret aqua."
Beneath is a Phoenix in the midst of flames.
" Edinburgh. Printed by John Wreittoun, and are to bee sold in his Shop, a little beneath the SaltTrone. 1607."
1607. 7%« commendation of Cocke and Cock- fighting. Wherein is shewn that Cocktfighting was before the coming of Christ. London, printed for Henrie Tomes, and are to he sold at hu shop, over against Grates Inne Gate, in Holhume.
This is in black letter, and I do not remember to have seen an earlier publication than this on the subject of this barbarous sport. — Beloe.
1608. John Franckton is first noticed as a printer in the city of Dublin, where in this year he executed the Common Prayer, in Irish cha- racter, folio, translated and printed at the ex- pense of William archbishop of Tuam,* and dedicated to sir Arthur Chichester, knight, lord deputy general. Though the book is dated 1608, the dedication is dated October 20, 1609.
It is said in the dedication, " Though this kingdom were sometimes called Scotia, that is, in Greek darkness — and now may justly recover the ancient title of Scotia major, (being in greater darkness) &c."
In 1615, a work on the Reports of the Courts in Ireland, was printed in Dublin for sir John Davies,t attorney-general in Ireland.
In 1617 John Franckton was printer to the king for Ireland, and printed in this year A compendious collection, and bretfe abstract of all the auncient English statutes. Sic. Cum gratia et privitegio. How long he continued to ex- ercise the art, or when he died is unknown.
Bonham Norton and John Bill, were also printers to the king for Ireland, in 1618.
Felix Kingston was deputy printer to the king at Dublin, in I6I9 and 1620.
The company of stationers of London were printers to the king's most excellent majesty at Dublin, who set forth John Franckton's nght to print allmanner of Books, Statutes, Grammars^ Almanacks, Acts of Parliament, Proclamations, Injunctions, Bibles, and Books of the New Testament, forbidding all others of what nation soever, but him, Felix Kingston, and Thomas Downs. The prices of boolu, as settled by the assignees and patentees for the stationers' com-
- William Daniel, or 6 Oonel. was bora at KUkcDny 1
and was one of the first fellows of Trinity college, Dub- lin. He was con flecrated archbishop of Tuam, in August, Ifiog. He waswell acquainted with the Hebrew and Greek tongues, from the latter of which be translated the Wev Testament. He also translated the Liturgp out of EngUA Into Irish. He died at Tuam, July 11, Ifi^ and was buried in Us cathedral.
t For an account of sir John Davies, see KM, post.
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