Græcum, ad fidem Græcorum solùm Codicum MSS.
expressum, adstipulante Joanne Jacobo Wetstenio;

work, besides giving a full account of Mr. Bowyer, contains the
lives of nearly all the men of Literature who have flourished dur-
ing the present century. It is, in fact, the History of Learning
for a period of more than seventy years. So large a body of
biographical materials hath not been collected together for a
long time.
Mr. Nichols may be considered as the Anthony
Wood of the age, but not in petulance and bigotry. It is only
in the excellencies of Wood that the resemblance holds: in
diligence of collection, and in an ardent zeal to perpetuate the
memory of our English writers."

To this hour I know not the Author of the following critique: "The life of a private Tradesman, however distinguished as a Scholar, cannot be expected to abound with adventure. Our industrious Biographer is fully aware of the objections that may be made to his undertaking, from the want of curious and important incidents in the life of a man of so retired a character; and acknowledges that the Anecdotes of Mr. Bowyer are few, when compared to the many that are introduced of his learned Friends. Without the latter, the former would have afforded little information, and less entertainment, as the Anecdotes which more immediately respect Mr. Bowyer consist chiefly of details relating to the trade of publication, which are calculated to afford amusement but to a very small class of readers. The principal figure of the piece stands, however, every where foremost on the canvass; and the other persons, of whom anecdotes are occasionally introduced, were connected with him by the ties of friendship or of business. In this view the work before us acquires some degree of consequence; is curious and amusing and contains a vast store of literary and biographical information...... From this immense storehouse we are at a loss what to make choice of for the amusement and information of our Readers. We have anecdotes on anecdotes: for it is the disposition of the indefatigable Compiler of these Memoirs rather to give too much than too little; and, to gratify a hungry hunter of Biography with all the sport he can desire, starts more game than a person less keen in the chace hath any inclination to pursue, or any appetite to partake of. Amidst a multitude of curious and original papers relating to the Literature of the Eighteenth Century, we are presented with Anecdotes of some of the most distinguished Authors who have figured in it: - the bare recital of whose names would fill many pages of our Review.... Mr. Nichols's resources have been very numerous, and very respectable. He tells us, that he had once an intention of giving an alphabetical List of all the Friends who have afforded him assistance in this elaborate undertaking; but, says he, they are now so numerous, that to name them would certainly be considered as ostentation; and to some of them (to Sir John Pringle, Dr. Richardson, Dr. Fothergill, and Mr. Costard) those thanks would

juxta Sectiones Jo. Alberti Bengelii divisum ; et novâ Interpunctione sæpiùs illustratium. Editio secunda.

would come too late, which to the surviving Contributors are nevertheless very cordially paid.' Some anachronisms have unavoidably arisen from the Work's having been so long passing through the press. Many of them, however, are corrected in an Appendix, which is exceedingly copious, and abounds with fresh stores of literary information and entertainment; and in which the Author chooses rather to appear triflingly minute, than to suffer articles to remain which it was in his power to correct or improve. From the multifarious matter which lies before us, we will select, for the amusement of our Readers, the account given of that truly great Scholar, and original Writer, Dr. Warburton, the late Bishop of Gloucester."- In a subsequent number the Reviewer thus proceeds: "Having given a brief view of the materials of which this elaborate work is composed, and of the various kinds of entertainment and information which it will afford to the curious and inquisitive Reader, we now proceed to the specimens of Literary History promised in our last. The first of these specimens is the account here given of that very eminent writer, the late Bishop Warburton [which is accordingly given]." We are informed by Mr. Nichols, that a complete and elegant Edition of this learned Prelate's Writings is intended for the Publick, by his all-accomplished friend, the Bishop of Worcester. A tribute due to such distinguished merit and we doubt not but that it will be discharged in a manner every way worthy of the memory of one great Prelate, and the abilities of another. Nor is this only the tribute of justice to learning, but of gratitude to friendship.-We shall conclude our extracts of this Work with the account which the Editor hath given us of two persons of far different fame; viz. William Lauder and Auditor Benson-both of them Editors of Johnston the old Scotch Physician's Latin Version of David's Psalms the former immortalized by his own infamy, and the latter by Pope's Dunciad."-"The Author is entitled to the thanks of the curious for the pains he takes to gratify them in matters which lie out of the reach of common instruction; and we wish him success and encouragement in his future enquiries and pursuits." Monthly Review, 1782, vol. LXVII. pp. 270—339. I shall subjoin a short Letter or two from Mr. Walpole:

"

:

April.. 1782. As it is said to be so much desired, the Author consents to let the whole of the Letter on Chatterton be printed in the Gentleman's Magazine; but not in a separate pamphlet." "SIR, Berkeley-square, June 19, 1782. [This was Mr. Walpole's Letter on Chatterton; originally printed at Strawberry Hill. See it in Gent. Mag. vol. LII. pp. 189.247.300. 347.]

"Just this moment, on opening your fifth volume of Miscellaneous Poems, I find the Translation of Cato's Speech into Latin, attributed (by common fame) to Bishop Atterbury. I

can

Londini, Curâ,Typis,et SumptibusJohannis Nichols." "Reverendo doctissimoque Viro, Henrico Owen, S. T. P. hanc Editionem, ipsius auxilio concinnatam, Amicitiæ & Gratitudinis ergô, dat, dicat, dedicatque J. Nichols."

In the same year was published, a small pamphlet, intituled, "An Apology for Mr. Hooke's Observations concerning the Roman Senate; with an Index to the Observations *; by Mr. Bowyer."

In 1785, a quarto volume was published, under the title of "Miscellaneous Tracts, by the late William Bowyer, Printer, F. S. A. and several of his learned Friends; including Letters on Literary Subjects, by Mr. Markland, Mr. Clarke, &c. &c. Collected and illustrated with occasional Notes, by John Nichols, Printer, F. S. A. Edinb. 1785.

can most positively assure you, that that Translation was the work of Dr. Henry Bland, afterwards Head-master of Eton School, Provost of the College there, and Dean of Durham. I have more than once heard my father Sir Robert Walpole say, that it was he himself who gave that Translation to Mr. Addison, who was extremely surprized at the fidelity and beauty of it. It may be worth while, Sir, on some future occasion, to mention this fact in some one of your valuable and curious publications. I am, Sir, with great regard, HOR. WALPOLE."

"June 30. "Mr. Walpole is much obliged to Mr. Nichols for the prints, and will beg another of Mr. Bowyer for his Collection of Heads, as he shall put the one he has received to Mr. Bowyer's Life. Mr. Walpole has no objection to being named for the anecdote of Dr. Bland's translation, as it is right to authenticate it." "Strawberry Hill, Aug. 18, 1782.

"Mr. Walpole is extremely obliged to Mr. Nichols for the books and prints; and begs, when he sees Mr. Gough, to thank him for his obliging present of Mr. Brown's tract."

*"Nichols, Typographus Anglus, successor celeberrimi Bowyeri, cui neque artis peritia neque doctrinâ & diligentiâ impar est, edidit Bowyeri Apologiam Opinionum Hookii quoad Senatum Romanum, & Anecdota Literaria de Bowyero." ̄ Annales Literarii, Helmstad, by Bruns, June 1783, p. 571.

"Little is necessary to be said to introduce a Collection of 'Miscellanies which claim for their author the last of learned Printers. The Publick have been sufficiently apprized of Mr. Bowyer's early attention to every department of Literature, and to every book which came under his Father's or his own press, while finishing a learned education at the University, and while applying the store of knowledge there treasured up, to improve the classic authors which he printed, or to criticize those pub

"To perpetuate, as far as these pages may extend, the well-earned fame of the most learned Printer of his age, these remaining testimonies of Mr. Bowyer's industry and abilities are selected by J. Nichols, in grateful remembrance of an early friend and generous benefactor *. Hic Cestus Artemque reponit." lished by his friends. Mr. Bowyer's Life is the best illustration of his Miscellanies; and the Editor of them thinks he could not do him greater credit than in leaving him to speak for himself in the various forms of Author, Commentator, Critic, and Correspondent, on and with some of the first Literati of his age. His Commentary on the New Testament is a copious memorial of his critical talents; and though it needs not to be set off by any lesser work, we trust the loose notes, from the margins of his interleaved Classics, will not be deemed unworthy to follow it. . . . . . . . If the publication of marginal notes on books stand in need of any apology, the Editor cannot make a better than by referring to those multifarious and learned notes which compose the two volumes of "Miscellaneous Observations," by Dr. Jortin and his friends. Let it not be supposed, however, though this volume is professedly a collection of fragments-that it contains the gleanings of Mr. Bowyer's library. An ample harvest yet remains on the margins of many of his books, which, though they may be too minute perhaps for extraction in the present mode, would be of no small utility to future Editors; and they shall be communicated to any gentleman who may in future be engaged in the task of publication. Were even the several indexes which Mr. Bowyer drew up to various books for his own use proper subjects for detached or collective publication, the Editor is persuaded he should obtain the thanks of the most superficial, as well as of the most attentive Reader. How many books would be benefited by an index made out by such an hand, which would at once be a glossary, a syllabus, and a table of corrections! Nor was our learned Printer so devoted to the ancient Classics as not to pay a proper regard to those of his own country. But, after all, should this tribute of private gratitude be deemed uninteresting to the literary publick, the Editor, while he indulges his own feelings, will not regret that he has introduced to the world the correspondence with Mr. Bowyer's friends, and such illustrious names in the Republick of Letters as close this volume, and form at least a third part of it." Preface, pp. vii. ix.

"Perhaps the grateful remembrance of his early Patron and liberal Benefactor may have too much biassed the judgment of Mr. Nichols in behalf of some pieces in this collection, which in our opinion are unworthy of a liberal mind or an enlightened understanding. But, says the Editor, after Garrick (who also spoke of the god of his idolatry"),

It is my pride, my joy, my only plan,
To lose no drop of this immortal man.

The

The Volume is thus inscribed:

"To Richard Gough, Esq. these remains of Mr. Bowyer, whom he valued as a friend, and respected as a scholar, are inscribed by the Editor, in acknowledgement of many literary favours conferred on his predecessor and himself."

The motive does honour to his feelings; and if we had no praise to bestow on this collection, we should have sufficient reason to commend the principle that gave birth to it. These Tracts are the production of the late learned Mr. Bowyer and his Friends; particularly of Gale, Clarke, and Markland: extracts from the correspondence with the two last form a considerable part of the volume. Of the learning and abilities of Mr. Bowyer, the Publick have had frequent and ample proofs, in his various productions, which have illustrated and adorned almost every department of Literature. The materials of the present volume (though of unequal merit and importance) would confirm the received opinion of his talents and erudition, if the fame of Mr. Bowyer stood in need of any additional confirmation. Many of the articles in this Miscellany seem to have been written amidst the haste and fatigue of his profession; and that which in others would have been the result of laborious study, was nothing more than a relaxation to his vigorous and well-furnished mind. His Remarks on Kennett's Roman Antiquities; Bladen's translation of Cæsar; on the Roman history, commerce, and coin; and the Notes on Middleton's Life of Cicero, display his accurate knowledge of Roman learning and customs. Various errors and mistakes in the last celebrated work are pointed out and corrected: -these, and indeed the greater part of his criticisms, are written with so much candour and moderation, that, while his learning and abilities command our respect, his urbanity and benevolence conciliate our esteem. This liberal conduct of the learned Printer is particularly deserving of praise, when we consider that few very few examples of it were afforded him by his contemporaries, who took the lead in criticism and controversy :that he lived when the Republick of Letters was disgraced by the strife of literary gladiators; and when the contest concerning the Epistles of Phalaris had been agitated with all the powers of ridicule, invective, and slander. The Publick are indebted to the care and gratitude of Mr. Nichols for this collection of the remains of his early Friend, whom he styles, in a short and sensible Preface," the last of learned Printers." The accuracy, however, of the present publication, and the other labours of our Editor, bear respectable testimony that at least the love of learning, and a desire to promote its interest, is not yet extinguished among the Printers of this 'Country." M. Review, vol. LXXIV. pp. 167–175.

ESSAYS