PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION*, IN 1782.

"To preserve the memory of those who have been in any way serviceable to mankind, hath been always looked upon as discharging a debt which we owe to our benefactors ; and it is but reasonable that they who contribute so much to the immortality of others, should have some share in it themselves." OLDISWORTH.

THOUGH it would be improper to begin with

an ill-timed excuse for the manner in which this Work has been executed, it is necessary to observe, that the volume has been more than four years in the press; and during that period many new and unexpected informations have swelled it to the present size, and far beyond what was originally intended.

"To adjust the minute events of literary history is tedious and troublesome; it requires indeed no great force of understanding, but often depends upon enquiries which there is no opportunity of making." The researches which have produced

* That Edition was thus inscribed: "To the Presidents, VicePresidents, and Fellows, of the Royal and Antiquarian Societies of London; these Anecdotes of Mr. Bowyer, a Printer of uncommon eminence, whose talents were long and laudably exerted in their service, are, with true respect and gratitude, inscribed, by their most dutiful servant, J. NICHOLS."

↑ In 1778 a few copies of a slight sketch of it were printed in a small pamphlet, of 52 octavo pages, and given to the intimate Friends of Mr. Bowyer. See vol. III. p. 294.

Dr. Johnson, in the Life of Dryden.

these

these Anecdotes have abundantly verified this remark. Though I have applied to the most authentic sources, and in general have been favoured with the most liberal communications, some subsequent discoveries have often rendered it necessary to compile a second article, sometimes a third or fourth, concerning the same Writer*. In such cases, it becomes necessary to request the Reader's indulgence, and to refer him to the Index. There are other instances, where, after every possible enquiry, it has hardly been practicable to collect a single circumstance of private persons, though of eminence in letters, except the date of their death. "The incidents which give excellence to biography are of a volatile and evanescent kind, such as soon escape the memory, and are rarely transmitted by tradition ;" and "Lives can only be written from personal knowledge, which is growing every day less, and in a short time is lost for ever. What is known, can seldom be immediately told; and when it might be told, it is no longer known."

I had once an intention to give an alphabetical list of all the friends who have kindly assisted me with information: but they are now so numerous, that to name them would certainly be considered as ostentation; and to some of them (to Sir John

.1.

* "A man who has a deep and extensive acquaintance with a subject, often sees a connexion and importance in some smaller circumstances, which may not immediately be discerned by others; and, on that account, may have reasons for inserting them, that will escape the notice of artificial minds." KIPPIS. + Rambler, No. 60.

Dr. Johnson, in the Life of Addison.

Pringle,

Pringle, Dr. Richardson, Dr. Fothergill, and Mr. Costard) those thanks would come too late, which to the surviving contributors are nevertheless very cordially paid.

The life of a private tradesman, however distinguished as a scholar, cannot be expected to "abound in adventure * ;" and in fact the Anecdotes of Mr., Bowyer are few, when compared to the many that are introduced of his learned friends. But the principal figure of the piece stands 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.

Some anachronisms have unavoidably arisen, from the work's having been so long passing through the press: but these are obvious, and will readily be pardoned; as will also the variety of style which may be discerned throughout this performance. It was sometimes almost impossible to change the expressions in which my intelligence was received; nor was it always necessary. The volume may perhaps be not less amusing (I am sure it is more authentic) by being illustrated with the notes of my friendly correspondents, and very frequently by the genuine sentiments of the writers of whom memoirs are here exhibited.

Convinced that I am "walking upon ashes under which the fire is not extinguished," I have endea

voured to guard against every species of misrepresentation. That errors may have intruded, is highly probable-but what work of such a nature was ever perfect?-I flatter myself that many of my friends, in various parts of the kingdom, will testify, that neither trouble nor expence has been spared in my enquiries; and in the Appendix I have chosen rather to appear triflingly minute, than to suffer articles to remain which it was in my power to correct or improve.

The whole is now cheerfully submitted to the publick; with an assurance, that whatever hints may lead to the improvement of a future edition will be most thankfully received, and properly regarded.