EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
766
This worthy typographer was born at Edinlrargh, in April, 1716. His father, who had a small appointment in the costoms, eave his son the education which erery lad of decent rank then lecerred in a country where the avenues to leaning were easy, and open to men of the most moderate circumstances. After having passed through the tuition of a grammar-school, he was put apprentice to a printer; and, when a very young man, removed to a wider sphere, and went to ibUow his trade in London, where he appears to hare worked for some time as a journeyman. He married, early in life, a sister of Mr. James Elpbinston,* a schoolmaster of some reputation, and translator of Martial. Sober, diligent, and attenUve, while his emoluments were very scanty, he contrived to lire rather within than beyond his income ; and though he married early, and without such a provision as prudence might have looked for in the establishment of a family, be continued to thrive, and to better his circum- stances. This he would often mention as an en- oonragement to early matrimony, and used to say, that he never had a child born that provi- doice did not send some increase of income to provide for the increase of his household. With sufficient vigour of mind, he had that happy flow of animal spirits that is not easily dis- conraged by unpromising appearances. By him who can look with firmness upon difficulties, their conquest is already half achieved ; but the man on whose hearts and spirits they lie heavy, will scarcely be able to bear up against their pressure. The forecast of timid, or the disgust of too delicate minds, are very unfortunate at- tendants for men of business, who, to be success- ful, must often push improbabilities, and bear witii mortifications. His abilities in his profes- aon, accompanied with perfect integrity and un- ahating diligence, enabled him, alter the first difficulties were overcome, to get on with rapid success. And he was one of the most flourish- ing men in the trade, when, in the vear 1770, he purchased a share of the patent for king's printer of Mr. Eyre, with whom he maintained the most cordial intimacy during all the rest of his life. Besides the emoluments arising from this ap- pointment, as well as from a very extensive pri- vate business, he now drew largely from a field which required some degree of speculative sagacity to cultivate ; it was that great literary property which he acquired by purchasing the copyrights of some of the most celebrated authors of the time. In this his liberality kept equal pace with his prudence, and in some cases went perhaps rather beyond it. Never had such re- wards been given to the labours of literary men, as now were received from him and his associates in those purchases of copyrights from authors.
- Junes Sptainaton wms born at Bdintmrgta, Nov. 89,
I7S1> uid died at Hammenmith, Oct. 8, I8O9 ; Mr. Stralian had left bim if 100 a-year, if 100 in ready monCT, and twenty Kidneasformooming. Mrs. Stiahan gnrvlved ber hus- band aboot a montb, and by her will left her brother ^IQO a-year more. It is said of Mr. Elpbinston, that a more ■odal and affectionate heart was never bestowed upon
Having now attained the first great object of business — wealth, Mr. Strahan looked with a very allowable ambition on the stations of politi- cal rank and eminence. Politics had long occu- pied his active mind, which he had for many years pursued as his favourite amusement, by corresponding on that subject with some of the first characters of the age. Mr. Strahan's queries to Dr.Franklin, in the year 1769, respect- ing the discontents of the Americans, published in the London Chronicle of 28th July, 1778, show the just conception he entertained of the important consequences of that dispute, and his anxiety, as a good subject, to investigate, at that early period, the proper means by which their grievances might bie removed, and a perma- nent harmonyrestored between the two countries. In the year 1776, he was elected a member of parliament for the borough of Malmsbury, in Wiltshire, with a very illustrious colleague, the hon. C. J. Fox; and in the succeeding parlia- ment, for Wotton Basset, in the same county. He was a steady supporter of that party who were turned out of administration in spring, 1784, and lost his seat in the house of commons by the dissolution of parliament, with which that change was followed ; a situation which he did not show any desire to resume on the return of the new parliament. Of riches acquired by in- dustry, the disposal is often ruled by caprice, as if the owners wished to show their uncontrolled power over that wealth which their own exer- tions had attained, by a whimsical allotment of it after their death. In this, as in other particu- lars, Mr. Strahan's discretion and good sense were apparent : he bequeathed his fortune in the most rational manner ; and of that portion which was not left to his wife and children, the distri- bution was equally prudent and benevolent His principal study seems to have been to miti- gate the affliction of those who were more imme- diately dependent on his bounty ; and to not a few who were under this description, who would otherwise have severely felt the drying up of so rich a fountain of benevolence, he gave liberal annuities for their lives ; and, after the example of his old friend and neighbour Mr. Bowyer, be- bequeatbed jClOOO to the company of stationers for charitable purposes.* He had been master of the company in 1774. Endued with much natural sagacity, and an attentive observation of life, he owed his rise to that station of opulence and respect which he attained, rather to his own talents and exertion, than to any accidental oc- currence of favourable or fortunate circumstan- ces. His mind, though not deeply tinctured with learning, was not uninformed by letters.
- He gave to the company of stationers if lOOO opoa
trust, hau the interest of which to be divided yearly In the week after Christmas day, to Ave poor Jonmeymen prin. ters, natives of England and Wain, being^ftaemen of the stationers' company ; the other half to Ave poor Jonmey- men printers, natives of Scotland, without regard to tlu^ being freemen or non-Aeemen of the company of station- ers; among many other generoos legacies Mr. Strahan gave also tSlM to the poor of the parish of St. Bride's, in which he had many years resided.
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