61H
HISTORY OF PRINTING.
t
1719. It is gfenerally supposed that the first edition of Robimon Crutoe, by De Foe, appeared in this year, in two volumes, 8vo., whica cer- tainly is its first appearance in the form of a book; but it is nevertheless true, says Dr. Dib- din, in his Library Companion, that this en- chanting and domestic romance first greeted the public eye in the pages of the original London Pott; or, Heathcote'i Intelligencer; from No. 125 to No. 289 inclusive; the latter dated Oct. 7, 1719.
Robinson Crusoe must be allowed by the most rigid moralist, to be one of those novels which one may read, not only with pleasure, but also with profit. It breathes throughout a spirit of piety and benevolence; it sets in a very striking light the importance of the mechanical arts, which they who do not know what it is to be without them are so apt to undervalue; it fixes in the mind a lively iaea of the horrors of soli- tude, and consequently, of the sweets of social life, and of the blessings we derive from con- versation and mutual aid ; and it shows how, by labouring with ones own hands, we may secure independence, and open for ourselves many sources of health and amusement.
Rousseau says that Robinson Crusoe is one of the best books that can be put into the hands of children. The style is plain, but not elegant, nor perfectly grammatical ; and the second part of the storr is tiresome.
Dr. Blatr in his Lectures says, that no fiction in any language was ever better supported than the Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. While it is carried on with the appearance of truth and simplicity, which takes a strong hold of the imagination of its readers, it suggests, at the same time, very useful instruction, by showing how much the native powers of man may be exerted, for surmounting the difficulties of any external situation.
Mr. William Taylor, the bookseller, at the Black Swan, in Patemoster-row, who purchased the manuscript after every other bookseller had refused it,is said to have gained £1000 by the sale.
The following controversy concerning the copy- right of Robinson Crusoe, may be an acceptable literary anecdote: — "Whereas Mr. William Taylor, in Patemoster-row, has in many of the public newspapers falsely charged T. Cox, at the Amsterdam coffee-house, with printing an abridgment of a book pretended to be 7%e Life and strange surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, &c. which action the author in his preface to the second volume has rendered as heinous as robbing on the highway, or breaking open a house, and challenges any to show him the difference ; and promises, as highwaymen and robbers, that notning shall be wanting on his part to do them justice : This therefore is to inform the world, that, when the said book was published I was on my journey to Scotland; neither had I directly or indirectly any concern in the said book, nor knew any thing more of it than this, 'that a certain person, a few days before I left London, came to me with a part of
a sheet as a specimen of the paper and print, and desired me to buy some of them ; and at the same time told me there had been a wrangling between Mr. Taylor and the author about copy- money for the second volume;' upon which I immediately concluded that the author had done it himself in revenge to Mr. Taylor, because be could not bring bim to his own terms ; and, if I have been mistaken in this one point, I pre- sume those gentlemen who are better acquainted with the author will very readily forgive me. — As soon as I came to London, I went to Mr. Taylor, and gave him all the satisfaction 1 pos- sibly could, tnat I had not so much as seen ot sold one of the said books; and promised him at the same time, if he would approve himself to much a man of honour and honesty as to do me justice in some other advertisement, that I wonU acquaint him who was the person that brongfat me the specimen ; but being denied, with only a promise that he would stop the prosecution of a bill in chancery he had taken out agaiitst me, I thought I was obliged to offer thus much to justify myself. Had that good maxim which one of them was pleased to remind me of in a letter to Edinburgh (that " Honesty is the best policy") buta due influence on their own condn<d, I am persuaded it would increase the number of fair traders, and convert one of the most pnxti- tuted pens in the whole world more steadily to the service of religion and the best of gorem- ments.
" N.B. If Mr. Taylor or the author of Cru- soe's Don-Quixotism [Daniel De Foe] should make any farther steps to insinuate that I was the proprietor of that abridgement, I assure the publick that, in justice to myself, I shall publish some secrets as yet unknown to the world ; and prove that there is as little sinceri^ and honesty in exposing me, both in bookseller and author, as there is truth in Robinson Crusoe.
"T. Cox."
It is computed that within forty years fnsD the first appearance of the original work, no left than forty-one different editions of Robintait Crusoe appeared, besides fifteen other imitations.
1719, June 17. Died, Joseph Addison, one of the most illustrious ornaments of his time, and the first of our English prose writers who employed wit on the side of virtue and religion ; — who restored virtue to its dignity — and taught innocence not to be ashamed. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Launcelot Addison,* dean of Lichfield, and was born May 1, 1672, at Milston, in Wiltshire, where his father was then rector. After receiving the radiments of his education, he was sent to the charter house, where he contracted an intimacy with sir Richard Steele. In 1687 he was admitted of Queen's
- Dr. Laohcclot AoDiaoN, a nwn of eontkttnUe
learning, of amiable maauen and nnaflbcted piety, died at Uchleld, AprU, 1703, a«ed seTenty-one. Steele, who was well acqaainted with the deao. has given as a oort
Uvely and c»iiiis!te picture of Ma parental and e "'-
condoct.
VjOOQ IC
