Scraps," 2 vols. 12mo; "The Templar," a weekly paper, published by Brown, which was soon dropped; and "Speculations on Law and Lawyers, applicable to the manifest Hardships, Uncertainties, and abusive Practice of the Common Law, 1788," 8vo, occasioned by his own distresses, the consequence of imprudent speculations and a numerous family; after struggling with which, he was appointed Librarian to the first Marquis of Lansdown. On November 25, 1790, after an union of near 45 years, he lost his beloved wife, Hamilton, a granddaughter of the noble houses of Kennedy and Cochran, in North Britain, niece of the late allaccomplished Susannah Countess of Eglington, cousin-german to the Earls of Cassilis and Eglington, and in near consanguinity with several other of the most noble and illustrious families in Scotland; to wit, Hamilton and Brandon, Dundonald, Sutherland, Craufurd, Galloway, Strathmore, &c. &c. She was buried in her husband's family-vault in Covent-garden Church. His eldest son, Charles, lieutenant of marines, and student of the Academy of painting, died at the marine barracks at Chatham, in his 20th year, December 14, 1779. Two other sons, John and Samuel, respectable young men, obtained appointments as clerks in the Sun Fireoffice; and one of his daughters married Mr. Pearson, the celebrated glass-stainer. Few men of this country had so much bibliographical knowledge; and perhaps we never had a Bookseller who knew so much of the contents of books generally; and he was particularly well acquainted with our English Poets. If, in his employment of taking Catalogues, he met with a book he had not seen before, which excited his curiosity, or interested his feelings, they must be gratified, and his attendant might amuse himself as he chose. The con sequence was, that, on many occasions, Catalogues could be procured only a few hours before the sale commenced. The immediate cause of his death was was a hurt in his leg, which happened from stumbling in the dark over a small dog-kennel most absurdly left by his landlady (as servant-maids too often leave pails) at the bottom of a stair-case. The wound turned to a mortification, which soon ended fatally, November 29, 1802. THOMAS WOTTON, ESQ. who acquired great reputation both as an Author and Bookseller, lived many years at the Three Daggers and Queen's Head, against St. Dunstan's Church*; where he published in 1727 the earliest History that we have of "The English Baronets, being a Genealogical and Historical Account of their Families;" in three small but thick Volumes; which in 1741 he considerably enlarged and improved in five handsome Volumes, Svo.-" Mr. Wotton (that indefatigable labourer in the golden mines of Antiquity, whose avenues were rendered almost inaccessible by the destructive hand of Time, and the cruel ravages of barbarous nations) has cleared the paths which lead to the perfection of this intricate science. Neither the great difficulties attending genealogical enquiries (in which so many centuries were to be traced, and the thread to guide him generally so slender, and, sometimes broken), nor the impossibility of persuading some families to give the least assistance, were able to deter him from this very difficult pursuit. In spite of all obstacles, in the year 1741, * Where he succeeded his Father, Mr. Matthew Wotton, of whom John Dunton thus speaks: "Mr. Wotton, a very courteous obiging man. His trade lies much among the lawyers; he is so just to his word, that, if he was immortal, it would be altogether as good dependance as his bond. I hear he is a rising man, and I am heartily glad of it, for the goods of this life can scarce fall into the hands of one who is better disposed to use them well." Dunton, p. 286. he he published his last account of the English Baronets *." Mr. Wotton was the Publisher of many works of considerable merit. He was Master of the Company of Stationers in 1757; and, after having long retired from business, died at Point Pleasant, Surrey, April 1, 1766.—I have an interleaved copy of his "History of the Baronets," enriched with the MS notes of the Rev. Robert Smyth, of whom frequent mention has been before made in this work. MR. JOHN HINTON, many years publisher of the Universal Magazine, the New Whole Duty of Man, and several Religious Treatises, was an old member of the Court of Assistants of the Stationers Company; and died very rich, May 21, 1781. Mr. JOHN MARCH, many years a Printer of considerable eminence on Tower-hill, and Master of the Stationers Company in 1790, died April 15, 1798. He was a man of the most amiable disposition. By industry, frugality, and a train of fortunate events, he left an ample fortune to his widow (who died April 15, 1800), and to an only son, who succeeded to his father's business; but died, in the prime of life, July 13, 1804. * Mr. Richard Johnson, in the preface to an edition of the Baronetage 1771, by E. Kimber and R. Johnson. In acknowledging the obligations he was under to George Booth Tyndale, esq. of Bristol, Barrister at Law, and to some other skilful gentlemen Mr. Johnson adds, While I am thus acknowledging the favours I have received from the living, let me not forget the tribute due to the memory of my friend, Mr. Kimber, who fell a Victim, in the meridian of his life, to his indefatigable toils in the republic of letters. To him I owe the present plan of this Work: he was the architect, I only the builder. Happy shall I think myself, if I shall appear properly to have executed the design which he formed.". † See vol. V. p. 49. MR. MR. THOMAS SPILSBURY, was the successor of the younger Mr. William Strahan in the Printing-office on Snow-hill; where he died Dec. 1, 1795, in the 62d year of his age. To distinguished ability in his profession he joined the strictest integrity, amiable manners, and a style of conversation, which, whether the subject was gay or serious, never failed to delight. As his press was resorted to by eminent literary characters, who often availed themselves of his critical remarks; so have they, in return, uniformly borne testimony to his uncommon precision in every thing appertaining to a pure genuine English diction. He was the first person in this country who made it an express study to print French works with accuracy; in which having at that time only a slight acquaintance with that language, he by closeness of application soon arrived at such a mastery, as to be pronounced, by many of the most accomplished geniuses of that kingdom resident here, superior in point of correctness, even to the Printers of Paris. MR. JOSEPH COOPER, many years a Printer of eminence, died suddenly, in a fit, whilst walking near Chelsea, May 19, 1808. Not a few splendid volumes were produced unostentatiously from his press, before the modern system of fine printing became so very prevalent. But he was unfortunate in business. Having no children, he acquired a tone of life a little too theatrical, and much too companionable; for he had considerable talents, and abounded in pleasantry and the milk of human kindness. He provided also, at an inconvenient expence to himself, for some relatives in the East Indies, in hopes of a princely return; which he never received. He speculated also in an attempt to make a species of printing-ink superior to any before known; but was not in that instance particularly successful. The evening of his life, however, was inade comfortable, fortable, by the friendship of Messrs. Wedgwood and Bentley, who found in him a valuable assistant in their counting-house, and who proved to him inestimable friends. His death, the Editor of this work can add from a long and intimate acquaintance with him, occasioned a sympathetic tear from several of his survivors, who knew him in the full enjoyment of prosperity and intellectual endowments. JAMES SIMMONS, ESQ. This truly worthy man was born in Canterbury Jan. 22, 1741, N. S. He carried on the Kentish Gazette since 1768; and was for many years employed as a Printer and Bookseller, and likewise as a Banker, at Canterbury, of which City he was an Alderman from 1774, and twice Mayor. He was a man of great public spirit, and was ever anxious for the prosperity and improvement of his native place. In 1787 he employed an able engineer to take the levels and survey the Country from Canterbury to St. Nicholas bay, and to make an estimate of a canal on which vessels of 100 tons burthen might be navigated from the sea to that city, a distance of ten miles and a half. Many difficulties occurred to retard and prevent the accomplishment of this plan; but it continued to be the object next his heart; and he was heard, but a few days before his death, to declare that he should not cease his efforts till he could see vessels floating under the walls of Canterbury. In 1790, at an expence of little less than 2000l. he formed a part of the antient rampart of that city, and the adjacent field, called Dane-John, into terraces and walks*, with so much elegance and taste, for the use of the publick, that few in any of the cities in Europe can boast of any thing, so extensive and ornamental, planned and carried into execution at the expence of a private citizen. In 1791, Riding-gate, the oldest of * A print of these walks may be seen in Hasted's History of Kent, vol. IV. folio; and in Gent. Mag. vol. LXXVIII. p. 481. all |