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-prison in 1672, for -which he was indebted to Dr. Sarlow, bishop of Lincoln, a violent Calrinist, lie became a preacher of the Baptist congrega- Xiou at Bedford. He also travelled into various parts of England, on which he was called bishop Bunyan. He died in London of a fever, and liis remains were interred in Bunhill Fields.
£>r. Beattie, in his Dmertatimu, Moral and Critical, thus speaks of the Pilgrim'i Progress.
- Few books have gone through so manj- editions,
in so short a time, as the Pilgrim's Progress. It has been read by persons of all ranks and capacities. The learned have not thought it 1>elow their notice ; and among the vulgar it is an universal favourite. I grant, the style is rude, and even indelicate sometimes ; that the invention is frequently extravagant ; and that, in more than one place it tends to convey erro- neous notions in theology. But the tale is amusing, though the dialogue be often low ; and some of the allegories are well contrived, and prove the author to have possessed powers of invention, which, if they had been refined by learning, might have produced something veir noble This work has been imitated, but with little success. The learned bishop Patrick* wrote the Parable of the Pilgrim : but I am not satis- fied, that the bishop borrowed the hint, as it is generally thought he did, from John Bunyan. There is no resemblance in the plan ; nor does the bishop speak a word of the Pilgrim's Pro- gress, which I think he would have done, if he had seen it. Besides, Bunvan's fable is full of incident — Patrick's is dry, didactic, verbose, and exceedingly barren in the invention."
It has been stated that Bunyan was indebted for the incidents in his work, to some of the early French romances, but more particularly to the Pilgrimage of Human Life, written by Guil- laume de Guilleville, in rhyme, about 1330, and printed bv Michael le Noir, at Paris, in 1606. This work was very favourably received at its first appearance ; and was tamed into prose at the request of Jeane de Lavac, queen of Jeru- salem and Sicily, Sec. Ant. Verard gave a new impression in prose, Paris, 1511, folio. Not only in early ages, but in later also, mankind have been found less willing to be instructed by ab- stract reasoning, than by fables or similitudes. Hence the popularitv of these old religious fictions. " The Pilgrim's Progress of our days," says Mr. Greswell, " confessedly excels all other productions of its kind ; and though some have endeavoured to trace its prototype in earlier works, it was probably, a perfectly spontaneous and original effort of its unlettered author."
1688. The Saints' Triumph ; or, the Glory of the Saints with Jesus Christ. Discoursed in a Dirine Ejaculation. By (John) B (unyan.) Printed by J. Millet, for J. Blaze, at the Look-
- Simon Patrick, bUhop of Ely, was born at Oaini.
borough, in Lincolnshire, September 8, 1618. He is well known for his valuable commentary on the Old Tettament, Moaliy published with bishop Lonth, On the Prophets, and Whitby on the New Tettament. The Imprimatur to his Pmralile of the Pilgrim is dated April 11, IWJ. He died May 31, 1797.
ing Glass on London Bridge. 1688, small 4to. A rude but characteristical wood cut portrait of Bunyan is indented in the margin of this title- page.
1688. Died, Thomas Buck, printer to the uni- versity of Cambridge. He len two legacies to Catharine Hall, where be had been a fellow, or scholar, to purchase books. He was buried in St. Mary's church on the 16th of November.
1688, Nov. 12. The first sale of books by auction, which took place in Scotland, com- menced upon this day by Andrew Andebson, jun. with the following notice: " A catalogue of excellent and rare books, especially History and Romances, for the most part in English, and the variorums, to be sold by way of auction, the 12 day of November, 1688. The books are to be seen, from the first day of November to the day of the auction, at Edinburgh, on the south side of the High-street, a little above the cross, being the close immediately above the Fish-market close, in the head of the said close, on the left hand, where a placat will be on the gate, and the catalogues are to be had there gratis. The time for sale is only in the aftemoon, from two of the clock till four. Edinburgh, printed in the year 1688 ;" only nine pages, closely printed in two columns. "He who pays not his money pre- sently, is to give earnest, to take them away and pay his money before the next day the auction begins ; or else to lose his earnest, and the books to be put to sale again. What books shall happen to be unsold at the auction, are to be had afterwards."
1688, May 9. The Weekly Test Paper; with Allowance, No. 1. Printed by G. C. [George Croom] for the author.
1688, May 12. Poor Robin's publick and pri- vote Occurrences and Remarks ,* written for Mer- riment and harmless Recreation, No. 1.
1689, May 25. A true and impartial Account of the remarkable Incidents, Casualties, and other Transactions of the like Nature, happening in City and Country, &c.
1688. Historical Account of Books and Trans- ections of the Learned World, published at Edinburgh. This was the earliest review of books in Scotland or in Great Britain.
1688, Nov. 22. Declaration of the nobility, gentry, and commonalty, at the rendezvous at Notiirtgham.
Three new papers made their appearance on the 12th of December. King James II. had abdicated on the preceding day.
1688, Dec. 12. Universal InteUigeHcer,Ho. 1. For John Wallis.
1688, Dec. 12. English Courant, No. 1.
1688, Dec. 12. London Courant, No. 1.
1688, Dec. 18. London Mercury, or Moderate Intelligencer, No. 1 . Printed by George Croom, at the Blue Ball, in Thames-street.
1688, Dec. 24. Obsenator, volume last, No.l.
1688. Orange Intelligence. Printed by George Croom.
1688, Dec. 31. Orange Gazette, with allow, ance. For Jane Curtis.
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