1)12
HISTORV OF PRINTING.
(says Dr. Dibdin) which is worthy of the un- rivalled compositions of our great dramatic bard, will remain as long as those compositions shall be admired, an honourable testimony of the taste and skiH of the individuals who planned and conducted it to its completion.* The text was revised by G. Steevens and Isaac Reed. Mr. Bulmer possessed the proof sheets of the whole work, on which are many curious remarks by Steevens, not always of the most courteous description; also some original sonnets, a scene for a burlesque tragedy, some graphic sketches, &c." "The establishment of the Shakspeare press (continues Dr. Dibdin,) was unquestion- ably an honour both to the founders in particu- lar, and to the public at large. Our greatest poet, our greatest painter, and two of our most respectable publishers and printers, were all em- bariced in one common white-hot crucible; from which issued so pure and brilliant a flame or fvaion that it gladdened all eyes and hearts, and threw a new and revivifying lustre on the three- fold arts of painting, engraving, and printing. The nation appeared to be not less struck than astonished ; and our venerable monarch George III. felt anxious not only to give such a mag- nificent establishment evenr degree of royal support, but, infected with the matrix and puncheon mania, he had even contemplated the creation of a royal printing-office within the walls of his own palace !" One of his majesty's principal hopes and wishes was, for his own country to rival the celebrity of Parma in the productions of Bodoni ; anv Dr. Dibdin plea- santly alludes to what he calls the Bodoni Hum, — of " his majesty being completely and joy- fully taken in, by bestowing upon the efforts of Mr. Bulmer's press, that eulogy which he had supposed was due exclusively to Bodoni's." The first number of the Shakspeare appeared in Janu- ary, 1794 ; and at once established Mr. Bulmer's fame ast he first practical printer of the day. Dr. Dibdin has given (Bibliographical Decameron, ii. 384 — 395,) a curious and copious list of the "books printed at the Shakspeare press," with judicious remarks, to which we must refer our readers, noticing only such as are the most emi- nent in execution. Next to the Shakspeare, perhaps the edition of the Puetical Works of John Milton, in 3 vols, folio, 1793^1797, is the finest production of Mr. Bulmer's press. Dr. Dibdin seems to prefer this work even to the Shakspeare itself. In 1795, Mr. Bulmer printed a beautiful edition in 4to. of the Poems of Gold- smith and Pamell, one copy on white satin, and
- Mr. Nicol's conne:[ion with the Messrs. Boydell was
prodactive of one of the largest literary speculations ever embarlced in In this coonlry. The well known Boydell edition of oar immortal bard ori^nated with Mr. Nicole in a conversation that took place in the year 1/97, as ap- pears by a paper, written and printed by Mt. Nicol, gtving an account of what he had done for the improvement of printing in tills country. The fate of that national under- taking, the "Shakspeare Gallery," in Pall Mall, was un- fortunate; it cost the proprietors above j^lOO,000. It was adjoining to Mr. Nicol's hoose, and Intended for the ex- hibition of the original paintings. The great object of the undertaking was to establish an English school ofhistorlcal painting.
three on vellum. The volume is dedicated lo the founders of the Shakspeare printing-office, Messrs. Boydells and Nicol. " The present volume," says Mr. Bulmer, in his advertisement, "in addition to the Shakspeare, the Milton, and many other valuable works of elegance, which have already been given to the world through the medium of the Shakspeare press, are [is] par- ticularly meant to combine the various beauties of printing, type-founding, engraving, and paper making ; as well with a view to ascertain the near approach to perfection which those arts have attained to this country, as to invite a fair competition with the best typographical prodnc- tions of other nations. How far the (ufferent artists who have contributed their exertions to this great object, have succeeded in the attempt, the public will now be fully able to judge. Much pains have been bestowed on the prewDt publication to render it a complete specimen of the arts of type and block-printing. The ornaments are all engraved on blocks of wood, by nnr earliest acquaintances, Messrs. Bewicks, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and London, after designs from the most interesting passages of the poems they embellish. They have been executed with great care, and I may venture to say, without being supposed to be influenced bj ancient friendship, tnat they form the most extraordinary effort of the art of engraving upon wood, that ever was produced in any age, or any country. Indeed, it seems almost impossible that such delicate effects could be obtained from blocks of wood.* 'Of the paper it is only neces- sary to say, that it comes from the mauufactoij of Mr. Whatman." Besides the wood-cuts, the work was embellished with eight very superior vignettes. — The biographical sketches of Gold- smith and Pamell, prefixed to the work, were by Isaac Reed. — This volume was highly appre- ciated by the public ; two editions of it, in 4ui. were sold, and they produced a profit to die ingenious printer, after payment of all expenses, of £1,900. Stimulated by the great success of the work, Mr. Bulmer, in 1796, was induced to prepare an embellished quai-to edition of Sva- ervilU^s Chase. Three copies were printed on vellum. It is thus dedicated,
" To the Patrons of fine Printing :" " When the exertions of an individual to im- prove his profession are crowned with success, it is certainly the highest gratification his feelings can experience. The very distinguished appro- bation that attended the publication of Gold- smith's Traveller, Deserted Village, and Pamell's Hermit, which was last year offered to the public, as a specimen of the improved state of typogra- phy in this country, demands my warmest ac- knowledgments ; and is no less satisikctoiy to the different artists who contributed their efforts towards the completion of the work. The Chase, by Somerville, is now given as a com-
- It is said that George III. entertained so gieata doubt
on the subject, that he ordered his bookseller, Mr. Niool, to procure the blocks from Mr. Bulmer for bis inspcctiaD, that be might convince himself of the fact.
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