686
HISTORY OF PRINTING.
ing to their sizes upon their appropriate shelves, amounting to full 260,000 Toluines in number.
1763. Died, Andrew Joseph Panckoucke, a celebrated bookseller of Lisle, where he was bom in the year 1700. He was a person of very considerable learning and talent, and the author of a number of works on subjects of philosophy, history, and belles lettres.
1763, Sept. 14. The case of Samuel Richard- son, of London, printer, on the invasion of his property in the History of Sir Charles Grandi- son, before publication, by certain booksellers in Dublin. Mr. Richardson had intended to send the volumes of Sir Charles Grandison, as he did those of 7%e History of Clarissa HarUnce, to be printed in Ireland, before he published them himself in London. Accordingly, when he htid printed off so considerable a part of the work, as would have constantly employed the press to which he purposed to consign them, he sent over twelve sheets of the first volume to Mr. George Faulkener ; intending to follow it with the rest, as opportunity offerM. He had heard an Irish bookseller boast, some years ago, that he could procure, from any printing-office in London, sheets of any book printing in it, while it was going on, and before publication ; and Mr. Faulkner cautioning him on this subject with reg^ird to this work, he took particnlar care to prevent, as he hoped, the effects of such an infamous corruption, as it must be called, since it could not be done but by bribing the journey- men or servants of the London printers. He gave a strict charge, before he put the piece to press, to all his workmen and servants, as well in print (that it might the stronger impress them,) as by word of mouth, to be on their guard against any out-door attacks. This was the substance of the printed caution which he gave to his work- men on this occasion : "A bookseller of Dublin has assured me, that he could get the sheets of any book from any printing-house in London, before publication. I hope I may depend upon the care and circumspection of my friends, com- positois and pressmen, that no sheets of the piece I am now putting to press be carried out of the house; nor any notice taken of its being at press. It is of great consequence to me. Let no stranger be admitted into any of the work- rooms. Once more, I hope I may rely on the integrity and care of all my workmen — And let all the proofs, revises, &c. be given to Mr. Tew- ley [his foreman] to take care of." He had no reason to distrust their assurances ; most of them being persons of experienced honesty ; and was pleased with their declared abhorrence of so vile a treachery, and of all those who should attempt to corrupt them. Yet, to be still more secure, as he thought, he ordered the sheets, as they were printed off, to be deposited in a separate ware- bouse; the care of which was entrusted to one, on whom he had laid such obligations, as, if he is guilty, has made his perfidy a crime of the blackest nature. — Peter Bishop, whose business was to read proofs to the corrector, and to em- ploy his leisure hours in the warehouses ; and
who (and no other person) being entrusted with the sheets of Sir Charles dfrantlisott, aa wrought off; and to lay by three sheets of each of the twelves edition, and one of the octavo, for Mr. Richardson's sole use, had an opportunity vdiich no other man, however inclined, could have, to perpetrate this baseness. Mr. Richardson, on suspicions too well-gronnded, dismissed Bishop from fab service; and after he was gone, having reason to suspect Thomas Killingbeck, one of the compositors, as the confederate of Bishop, and by whose means, he having worked in Ireland, it was easy for him to manage this piece of treachery; and Killingbeck, on examinatiwi, gave him cause to strengthen his suspicions; yet asserting his innocence, he propoced to him the said Killingbeck to draw up nimself such an aflSdavit as he could safely take, to exculpate himself. Killingbeck made poor excuses and pretences ; but, at last, took till the next morn- ing to draw it up. The next morning he toU Mr. Richardson, that he was advised not to 6am up such an affidavit; and gave such evasive reasons, as induced eveiy body to believe hint guilty. Upon this, Mr. Richardson discbai^ him from his service. He left his honse, pie- tending, he would draw up something, as be desired; but never since came near it ; and is now applying for work elsewhere. Since writing the above, Mr. Richardson has received a letter from Bishop, on occasion uf some friend of his advising him to an ample confession; and to depend on that forgiving temper which be had before experienced; in which, among otha avowals of his innocence, he thus expresses him- self: " I never gave Mr. K. one sheet of GrasuU- son; and he must have stole them out of the warehouse ; for, upon recollection, the key of the bridge warehouse [in which were the first fire volumes], for the conveniency of Arthur [the principal warehouse keeper], who keeps his clothes there, hung upon a nail, in the one pair of stairs warehouse ; and any person putting his arm through an opening in the wainscot, and standing on the stairs, may easily reach it [a great negligence, at least, in Bishop, after sad warning, and repeated caution]; and 'tis not impossible but Mr. K. might see me take the key from thence, and make use of it at a proper opportunity. If he proves to be the villain (adds Bishop), as I have great reason to think be will, by refusing to take an oath, I hope proper care will be taken to hinder his escape, &c. — If Bishop should be innocent (against other presumptions, from which he will hardly be able to clear himself) it cannot but be observed, that the cause given to suspect unguilty persons is not one of the least mischiefs that attend the baseness of such cruel and clandestine invadeis. Having three printing-houses, he had them composed and wrought, by different workmen, and at his different houses; and took such other precautions, that the peison to whose trust he committed them, being frequently questioned by him as to the safety of the work from pirates, as frequently assured him, that it was impossible
i
