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HISTORY OF PRINTING.
some aUowance ought in fairness to be made for the difficulty nhicE a man even of superior ge- nius must hare experienced, in, year after year, forcing from his brain ideas approaching a poe- tical character, respecting subjects which in reality have nothing poetical about them. Indeed it must be acknonrleged, that the absurdity does not lie so much in the odes, as in the custom of exacting them. In this point of view. White- head himself seems to have regarded the office, for in a Pathetic Apology for all Lawreati, patt, pre$ent, and to come, which appeared in the edition of his works published alter his death, he almost redeems the serious nonsense of eight- and-twenty years, by the humour with which he ridicules t!ne envious poetasters who were in the habit of publishing rival odes.
BiM moK, obliged by sack and peniion, Witbont a labject or Invention, Most certain words in order let, Ax innocent aa a gazette i Most aome lialf-meaning half-diagniae. And ntter seitber truth nor lies. Bnt vtay wUl yoM, ye ToloDteen, In nonsenae teaae ns with yoor Jeen, Wbo might with dolneaa and her crew Secoielyalamber? WhywUlyow Sport yonr dim orha amidst her fogs ? You're not oittged—je ailly dogs I
Mr. Whitehead was the author of the Raman Father, Fatal Constancy, and Creuta, tragedies; the School for Loveri, a comedy ; and a Trip to Scotland, a farce. He was succeeded by the rev. Thomas Warton,anthor of the Hittory of English Poetry, whose lyrical genius might have been expected, if such had been at all possible, to lend a grace to even this dreary task.
1766. Died, Joachim Ibabra, printer to the king of Spain, who carried the typographic art to a degree of perfection which had been un- known in that country. His presses produced fine editions of the bible, the Mazarahic Missal, Marian's History of Spain, Don Quixote, and GrabriaTs Spanish translation of Sallust. He invented a superior kind of printing ink. He was a native of Saiagossa.
1786, May 5. Died, Thomas Daties, a book- seller, in Russel-street, Covent-garden, London. Mr. Davies was a man of uncommon strength of mind, who prided himself on being through life a companion for his superiors. He was bom in or about the year 1712, and educated at the university of Edinburgh, and became, as Dr. Johnson used to say of him, learned enough for a clergyman. He imbibed very early a taste for theatrical pursuits; and in 1736, his name appears in the bills of the Haymarket theatre. He next appeared at York, where he married Miss Yarrow, an actress, whose beauty was not more remarkable than her private character was ever unsullied and irreproachable. He also per- formed at Edinburgh, where he appears to have been the manager of the theatre. He then went to Dublin, and, with his wife, performed several characters. In 1 753, he was with his wife at Drury-lane, where they remained several years in good estimation with the town. In 1762, a few years before he finally quitted the theatre.
he resumed his fonner oocupation of a bo<^ seller, in Russel-street, and became the author, compiler, and publisher, of many useiiil works; but not meeting with that success which his atten- tion and abilities merited, Mr. Davies, in 1778, was under the disagreeable necessity of submit- ting to become a bankrupt ; when such was the regard entertained for him by his friends, that they readily consented to his re-establishment; and none, as he said himself, were more active to serve him, than those who had suffered most by his misfortunes. But all their effort* might possibly have been fruitless, if his great and good firiend Dr. Johnson had not exerted all his interest in his behalf. In 1780, by a well- timed publication, the Life of Garriek, two rolumes, which passed through four editions, he not only acquired considerable fame, but realued money. Mr. Davies was the writer of essays without number, in prose and rerse, in the St. James's Chronicle, and some other of the public newspapers. At his death he was aged about seventy-three years, and was buried by his own desire, in the vault of Sl Paul, Covent Garden ; and the following lines were written on the occasion:
Here lies the author, actor, Thomas Davies j living he shone a Terr rara miti The scenes he played life's audience must commend. He honoui'd Oamclc-^ohnion was his friend.
Mrs. Davies, his widow, died Feb. 9, 1801.
1785. The Political Herald and Revieic ; or a survey of Domestic and Foreign Politics, and Of critical account of Political and Historical Publications. This work was edited by Dr. Gilbert Stuart, late joint proprietor and editor of the Edinburgh Magaxxne, which extended we believe only to two volumes, which are now rather scarce.
1785. The Holy Bible, with the various readings and parallel texts, by Bishop Wilson, 3 Tols. — Bath.' This Bible is most beautifuUj printed on vellum paper ; the verses are marked on the sides, not to interrupt the narrative ; and it is in every respect the completest English edition for study, or the library.
1785, June 28. Died, John Rivimoton, prin- ter, in St. John's-square, London.
1785, July 2. Died, John Wilkie, book- seller, in St. Paul's church-yard, and treasurer of the company of stationers. He was much respected for his pleasant and engaging manners. Mr. Wilkie left two sons, both in ue trade. The eldest, Mr. George Wilkie, was in partnership with Mr. John iMbinson, and carriea on a rery extensive wholesale trade in Paternoster-row. Mr. Thos. Wilkie, the younger son, was settled at Salisbury, of which city he had the honour of being chief magistrate.
1765, July 9. Died, William Straban, an eminent printer, and many years printer to his majesty. The life of William Strahan affords another instance of the difficulties which may be overcome by perseverance and integrity — and without any usurpation of the rights of others, what can be achieved by a roan's own efforts.
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