EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
765
and is ceitainl j not the last in importance of that distinguished pleader's speeches. This trial may be termed the case of libels, and the doctrine maintained and expounded by Mr. Erskine is the foundation of that liberty which the press enjoys in this country. When the house of com- mons ordered the impeachment of Wanen Hast- ings,* the articles weie drawn np by Mr. Borice, who infused into them all that fervour of thought and expression which ever characterized his com- positions. The articles, so piepared, instead of being confined to the records of the house until they were carried up to the lords for trial, were printed and allowed to be sold in erety booksel- Ws shop in the kingdom, before the accused was placed upon his trial; and undoubtedly, from the style and manner of their composition, made a deep and general impression upon the public mind against Mr. Hastings. To repel or neu- tralize theeffectof thepublication of the charges, Mr. Logan, one of the ministers of Leith, wrote a pamphlet, which Stockdale published, con- taining sereial severe and unguarded reflections upon the conduct of the managers of the im- peachments, which the house of commons deem- ed highly contemptuous and libellous. The |>ablisher was accordingly tried, on an informa- tion filed by the attorney-general, and the jury after two hoars' deliberation, found Mr. StocW- dale Nor cniLrr. In the speech delirered by Mr. Ersldne upon this occasion, be has recorded his name as the most consummate advocate of the age. It was " amidst the blaze of passion and prejudice" that he extorted that veraict, which rescued his client from the punishment which a whole people seemed interested in awarding against the reriler of its collective majesty.
1790, Feb. 3. The printer of the Tima news- paper, fined £100 for a libel on the prince of
- Wairen Hutlngs had been gorernor-genenl of Ben-
gal, in the East Indies, and upon hii letnm to England was Impeached by tlie honae of commons. The trial com- moiced in Westminster hall, Feb. is, 1788, and terminated with the aoqnittal of Mr. Hastings, April at, 17ts. He died Aogost 22, ISIS.
Hie proeecaUon and trial of Warren Hastings originated with Edmond Bml^ei and he was the anthorof the Rq>ort 0/ (ke Committee on the Trial 0/ hatiingt, 179*. Edmond Bnrke was born in Dnblin, Jan. I, 1730, educated at Tri- nitv College in tluit aniToiltv, and in 17<0, was entered as a law student at the Temple, London ; but liis thoughts were entirely tmned to literature and politics, and he be- gan to write in the newspapers and other periodical worlu. in 1765, on the aoceatlon to powerof the marquis of Rock- ingham, he was appointed by that minister his private se- cretary, and brought Into parliament for the borough of Wendorer. His opposition to the inftitnated measures which led to and pndonged the contest with America— his advocacy of the freedom of the press — of an improved libel law — of Catliolic emancipation — of economical reform — of the abolition of tiie slave-trade— his impeachment of Mt. Hastings — and his denouncement of the French revo- lution — are some of the most memorable passages of his political course. Burke, as an eloquent and pUlosophic writer, stands alone. His mental digestion was so enor- mous, that he could draw nutriment from a mass of ma- terials which few other men could have swallowed. His intellect was at once exact, minute, and comprehensive, and his imagination rich and vigorous. No matter wliat tofic started, wbetlier architecture, antiquities, ecclesias- UoBl history, the revenues, persecntions, or the lives of the early ornaments of the church— he touched upon them all with the readiness and accuracy of a master. Hr. Burke died on the 8th of July, 1797. in the sixty- eighth year of bis age.
Wales and the dnlce of York, and the like sum for one on the duke of Clarence.
1790. Feb. 21. Died, James Bdcklamd, for more than fifty years a bookseller of eminence at the comer of St Paul's-court, in Pater- noster-row, London, particulailr amongst the dissenters, and was a remarkable gentlemanly looking personage, in the dress of ueorge II.'s days. He was respected for simplici^ of masr ners, and irreproacoable integrity. He kept up the custom which at one time was common with all the best booksellers, of having a long board himg at the side of his door way, inscribed with the names of distinguished authors, whose works were to be found in his shop : he died at the age of seventy-nine years. The name of James Buckland is found associated with those of Longman, Robinson, Baldwyn, Rivington, and other great booksellers in the title pages of most of the theological works of his Ume. Mr. Dawson, who was bookseller to the university of Oxford, was opposite to Mr. Buckland.
1790. William Nicholson took out a patent for certain improvements in printing, the speci- fication of wnich clearly shows, uiat to him belongs the first suggestion of printing from cvlinders. This patent was never acted upon. " 1790, March 27. 7^ Speculator, by Nathan Drake, M. D. and Edward Ash, M. D. published weekly, consisting of twenn-six numbos.
1790. At Chester, in the beginning of this year, a reputable farmer, on the evening of s market-day, called at the shop of Mr. Foole, bookseller, and, desiring to speak with him at the door, put a shilling into his hand, telling him, " he had owed it to him for a manv years." The latter asked, for what ? To which the farmer replied, that " When a bov, in buy- ing a book-almanack at his shop, he had stolen another — ^the refiection of which had frequently given him much uneasiness." If any one who sees this ever wronged his neighbour, let him be encouraged by the courage of the former of Chester, to make repsiRition in like manner, and so make clean his conscience ; thus proving the old adage : Ifi never too late tomend.
1790. T%e Holy Bible, with various render- ings of all the other translations into English, pwillel texts, and notes by bishop Wilson ; six vols, folio. Bath. Of the above grand edition of the English fliife,only twelve copies were printed on this paper, all intended as presents to royal libraries ; and it is the most complete library Bible, that has yet appeared in any language. The type is beautiful ; and, to avoid interruption in Uie narrative, the verses are not made differ- ent paragraphs, though they are marked in the margin. Under the text are all the parallels ; and below, are the variations of each English version ; the date is at the head of every page, and the objects are marked in the margin.
1790. The Holy Bible, printed on writing paper, with upwards of four hundred designs, by various masters ; engraved by Martin. Two vols, folio, Cambridge. This is a fine work, superbly executed.
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