113
HISTORY OF PRINTING.
this gumptuons oollectioo, and the index of which was made by Whethai]istede,the celebrated abbot of St. Albans. As the duke patronized, in a particular manner, the abbey of St. Albans,many of the abbots paid their court to him, by sending him presents of books, beautifully executed, ana adorned with the most exquisite paintings, which seem to have constituted a part of his gift to the library at Oxford. In the libraryof Oriel college, at Oword, there w a manuscript Commentary on GenetU, written by John Capgrave. In the su- perb initial letter of the dedicatory epistle, is a curious illumination of the author, humblv pre- senting his book to his patron, who is seated, and covered with a sort of hat. At the end is this entry, in the hand-writing of the duke himself: " Ce livreett a may Humphrey due de Gloueettre du don de frere Jehan Capgrave, guy le me Jit
presenter a man manoyre de Pemherat le
jour de V an MCCCXXXVIII." [pro- bably, says Warton, MCCCCXXXVIII] j. e. " Tiiis book belongs to me, HumphreT duke of Gloucester, the gift of brother John Capgrave, who presented it to me at my manor of Pens-
hurs^ the ——^— day of in the year
1438." This valuable collection of books, which, from their ornamental bindings, looked like mis- sals, conveyed ideas of popish superstition, were destroyed or removed by the pious visitors of the university in the reign of Edward VI. whose zeal was equalled only by (heir ignorance, or perhaps by their avarice.
It was at the recommendation and command of this munificent prince, and under his protec- tion and superintendence, that Lydgate translated Boccacio'streatiserfeC<m4t«F«roru»i/Wtu<num. The duke's condescension in conversing with learned ecclesiastics, and his diligence in study, are highly applauded by the translator, by whom his natron is compared to Julius Ctesar, who amidst all the cares of state, was not ashamed to enter the rhetorical school of Cicero at Rome. Duke Humphrev's patronage was not confined to the scholars alone of his own country. Titus Livius, a learned Italian, was his poet laureat. The most celebrated writers of France and Italy solicited his favour, and experienced his liberality, many of whom dedicated works to him ; and it appears from their encomiums, that he was dis- tinguished by an ardent attachment to books of all kinds, and by the eagerness with which he cultivated every branch of knowledge. He also retained in his ser^'ice a number of learned foreigners, for the express purpose of transcrib- ing and translating ancient manuscripts. The duke hath been represented as aD author ; but it is a false supposition that he wrote an astrono- mical tract, entitled Tabula Directorum. There is, however, in the library of Gresham college, a scheme of calculations which bears his name. Gilbert Kymer, physician to King Henry VI. among other ecclesiastic promotions, dean of Salisbury, and chancellor of the university of Oxford, inscribed to duke Humphrey his famous medical system Diaetarium de tamlatit cuttodia. To the same noble encourager of learning, Petnis
Candidus, the friend of Laurentius Valla, and secretary to the great Cosmo duke of Milan, in. scribed by the advice of the archbishop of Milan, a Latin version of Plato's Rejmhlic. An illumi- nated manuscript of this translation is in the British museum. Humphrey was brother to Henry V. and the duke of Bedford ; and un<;1e to Henry VI. during whose minority he occa- sionally administered the affairs of the kingdon:, as regent. It is lamentable to record that this great Jlnd good prince was murdered at St Allans, February 28, 1447.*
1440. The first book on Heraldry in Enghind, was written by Nicholas Upton, a native of Devonshire.
1440. In this year Coster, printed an edition of the Speculum Salvationu, which is perhaps the first specimen of two difiierent coloured inks being used on the same page. The one is in- tensely black on the two columns of text; die other is bistre, and applied to two subjects en- graved on wood to resemble pen and ink draw- ings at the top of each page. — Savage.
1440. i>ted Laurentius Coster, who has ac- quired a name in the annals of printing, the Dutch afiirming him to be the inventor of the art about 1430, but which claim is obetinatelj doubted. He was born at Haerlem, about the year 1370, and executed several departments of ma- gistracy in that city. Those wnters are mistaken who assign to him the surname of Coster, or as- sert that the office of eedituus was hereditaiy in his family. In a diploma of Albert of Baraiia, in 1380, m which, among other citizens of Haer- lem, Laurentius' father is mentioned by the name of Joannes Laurentii filius. Beroldus is called icdituus, who was surely of another family ; and in 1396, and 1398, Henricus a Lunen enjoyed that office; after his resignation. Count Albeit conferring on the citizens the privilege of electing their aedituus, they then chose Laurentius; who was afterwards called Coster from his office, and not from his family name, as he was descended from an illegitimate branch of the Gens Brede- rodia. The elegance of his house may testify that he was a man of property. His works were printed on separate moveable wooden types fas- tened together by threads. It may be tnoughi improbable, that so ingenious a man should not have proceeded farther than the invention of wooden types ; it may be answered, he printed for gain, 'not for reputation ; for wooden types could be made sooner and cheaper than metal. His press was shaped like the common wine- presses. He printed some copies of all his boob on paper and vellum. It has been erroneously stated, that he quitted the -profes-sion, and died broken hearted : but it is certain, that he did not live to see the art brought to perfection. He died at the age of 70 ; and was either succeetled by his son-in-law Thomas Peter, or by their i^lm^ diate descendants, Peter, Andrew, and Thomas ; who were old enough to conduct the business,
- From the above account of Humphrey iakt of do"-
ce«ter. It will appear In the Cavonr, and do honour to tho€« penoof who are ftaqoently compdled to dine with Uiti.
LjOOQ IC
