INDEX TO THE THIRD VOLUME. Albums, 28. Allix, Peter, 32. * Indicates woodcuts illustrate those Articles. Minstrel's Christmas Antinous, see Apollo, 95, 100. Arrest of Parliamentary Members, 5. Auld Robin Gray? 31; replies, 37, 69, 84. Autographs, 84. Ava, Site of Scripture, 91. Beer Cobbler, 78. Beggar's Petition? 79; replies, 90. Belzoni, anecdotes, 94. Burton's birth-place, 20. Charles the Second, letter, 1650, 75. Cheere, the sculptor, 43. Colebrooke's Memoirs? 22. Bentley, Nath., alias Dirty Dick? 37; Copyright in France, 75; replies, 48, 55, 72, 80. Bermondsey Priory Seals, 45. Betham, Sir William, 91. Beth-Gelert? 81'; replies, 90. Black Jack song, 35. Boiling to death? 32; reply, 38. British Galleries of Art? 30; replies, British Museum Library, 82. States, 92. Dering's Reliquiæ Ebor? 2; replies, Dial Mottoes, 96. Dignum and Moses Kean, 58. Dunton's autobiography, 17, 95. Eagle's Wing? 76; replies, 91, 99. Edward the Confessor, 81. Egyptian Excavations, 91. Royal Car- Featherstonehaugh ballad, 4. Finger language? 29. United Fitzwilliam Museum, 92. Flogging in the army, 16. Fox's long range' kick, 57; verses on Gibbon's History, 63. Fuller, Cheat Master General, 4, 9. Coins and Gallini? 28; replies* 57, 62, Coronation by a Pope, 6. De Foe, Daniel? 31; reply, 36. Games, Early English? 22; replies, Garrick, as Ranger, 57. Gazette? 71; replies, 79, 92. Gent, Tho., autobiography, 1; books Ghosts laid in Red Sea? 23. Glassworks, Sussex, 87. Glassmaking, 47, 76, 87, 98. Goda Comitissa? 46; reply, 69. Grammatical inflections, 55, 56. Holland family oven, 58. Honor and Armes? 29; reply, 48. Howard, Henry, letter, 74. Hull, John? 29; reply, 48. Incledon inviting the dead, 57. Jacobite Songs, 46. James VI. nearly drowned, 36. James VIIth's descendants? 92; re- Mobility? 6. Moore the poet's wife? 94. Newark Priory Seal, 45. Nimroud glass vase, 66. Nine Men's Morris? 81; replies, 89. Oh! Nanny? 90. Oil of Swallows, 7. Old Mortality, 6. Jew's eye? 38; Jew's glass, 87; re- Ordnance for Spain, 35. Johnson's Chrysal, Key, 40. *Ormonde letter, 75. Jonson's Baccanal Triumphe, 52; Bac- Parliament Members' pay, 30. chus turned doctor, 63. Jones, comedian, 29, 82. Judgment, no thriving after, 58. Junius? 65; replies, 75, 98. Kemble murders Time, 58. Ketch's utility, 75. Kirk, medallist, 69. Kneller, Pope's verses to, 55. Kotzwara's death? 36; reply, 69. Ladies bustles, 100. Lilly the astrologer, 29. Patrick's halfpenny? 3; reply, 15. P. dlar and his dog, 34. Polish inscribed ring? 22; reply, 48. Scribe, dramatist, 83. Sentimental Magazine Medallets, 69. Shakespeare, name orthography, 16. Shakespeare, Elegiac verses on, 79. Sherry cobbler, 78. Shove groat? 28; replies, *46, 52. Simon's Competition Crown, 3, 15, 22. Smith, Secondary Richard? 14. Spanish veneration for the dead, 70. Pope, paintings by? 47; replies, 55, Know'st thou the Land? 12; reply, 25. Pope's Rape of the Lock, 75. Lincoln's Inn outrage, 50. Litany, 1659, 57. Little things, 6. London Gazette, 79. London, sad London, 71. Lotteries? 24; replies, 31, 32. Mann, Master of Charter House, 97. Mary, Queen of Scots' 'baby coin'? Matthews' execution, 1719, 1. Taylor, George Watson? 58. Temple dial motto, 96. Tempora Mutantur? 24; reply, 31, Three black puddings, 98. Tilly of Pentilly? 50; replies, 69, 77. Troubadour bishop, 49. Trusler's autobiography, 41. Turkish alliance, 80. Van Os? 69; reply, 84. *Vas Panormitanum, 82. Webb's, Mrs. board and lodging, 58. Wedding ring poesy, 35. Weston's Three shillings, 58. White, Gilb. portrait? 11. Raleigh's execution, 35; burial place? Whiteway's diary, 35. Robin Goodfellow, 99. Ruby coloured glass? 87; reply, 87. Mayor toss'd in a blanket? 12; replies, Rule Britannia? 90; reply, 99; Whittington's House, 53; club notice, Wide wide World, 6. Wilkes' notes on Pope, 54; North Wits' Recreations, 54. Woffington's sister's husband, 43. Russell's, Lord William, execution, 71. Woodward's picture sale, 32. Sacrilege, 14. Scold ducking, 34. Scottish Song bibliography? 22. Worms simply acorns, 79. Xavier's Hymn, Pope's version? 38. No. XXV.] FOR THE MONTH. "I will make a prief of it in my Note-Book."-SHAKSPERE. Rochester. [JANUARY, 1853. In 1714, Gent tells us there were "few printers in England except London; none, I am sure, at Chester, Liverpool, Whitehaven, Preston, Manchester, Kendal and Leeds." THOMAS GENT, PRINTER Of York. if I shall not be drove to Jerusalem before I get home YOUR correspondent, Eboracensis (Current Notes, again; nay, I shall forget I ever did the job by to-morNov. P. 94) makes some enquiries relative to Thomas row, and consequently shall never answer any questions Gent. His name is well known to the collectors about it if demanded. Yet, sir, I shall secretly rememof English topography and of typographical curi- ber your generosity, and drink to your health with this osities, as that of a printer who sometimes employed brimful glass.' Thereupon this set them both a laughhis press upon productions of his own, and who in his ing, and truly I was got merrily tipsy-so merry that I character of author produced numerous volumes which hardly know how I was driven homewards." His unare far from being destitute of merit. To the col-known employer was the famous Atterbury, Bishop of lectors of portraits he is known by a fine mezzotinto print after a painting by Nathan Drake. His autobiography is sufficiently amusing. He was a native of Ireland, and was born, it appears, in 1691. He was brought up as a printer, but ran away from his parents with a penny loaf and a few pence in his pocket, and after sun- In 1719, he witnessed the execution of Matthews, a dry adventures found his way to that El Dorado of run- printer, who was convicted of high treason for printing a away youths and apprentices-London. We must pass work called, Vox Populi, Vox Dei. I beheld him over the next portion of his career; how he became drawn on a sledge as I stood near St. Sepulchre's church; initiated into all the mysteries of the fraternity, was his clothes were exceeding neat, the lining of his coat a duly "dubbed a cuz" in the chapel of the shop at Black-rich Persian silk, and every other thing as befitted a friars, or followed the more profitable calling of a gentleman. I was told he talked like a philosopher of "smouter." He seems to have been a hard-working death to some young ladies who came to take their fareman, fond of pushing business, industrious and cheerful. well, and suffered with a perfect resignation. He was We one day meet him as a journeyman, tramping on the son of an eminent printer in Tower Ditch, and his the Great North Road, with a light heart and a guinea body, through favour of the government, his corpse unin his shoe lining; next inditing ballads for the flying quartered, was laid in the church of St. Botolph near stationers, or when his master gets immured in the Aldersgate." One Vesey, a journeyman, who was prinFleet, "working under a mean shed adjoining the prison cipal evidence against him, did not long survive the wall, when snow and rain have fallen alternately on the youth; at his burial in an obscure part of Islington cases," yet still keeping up his spirits with "the number churchyard, many of the printer's devils formed a proof wide-mouthed stentorian hawkers, brisk trade and a cession, and with their ball stocks made such an uproar, glass of good ale." Some of his anecdotes are curious. that the minister was much interrupted thereby in the On one occasion a clergyman was committed to the burial service, and shameful indignities were committed King's Bench for an action of scan. mag. and a reverend at the grave." Bishop took up the pen to vindicate his reputation. Gent Gent relates some curious particulars of most of the was engaged to print the sheets, but was not permitted individuals who crossed his path. November 3, 1725, to know his employer. When all was finished, the papers he duly records the execution of Jonathan Wild, and were packed up, and at night Gent and his master enter- says he had seen that noted thief-taker several times ing a coach are driven to Westminster. "Soon were we about the Old Bailey, "and particularly took notice of ushered into a spacious hall, where we sat near a large him when he rode triumphantly with pistols before the table covered with an ancient carpet of curious work, and criminals he was conveying to the gallows." "I heard whereon was soon laid a bottle of wine for our entertain- he was pelted by the populace to the place of execution." ment. In a little time we were visited by a grave gen-So those "fleaing rascals, the surgeons, stole his corpse tleman in a black lay habit, who entertained us with one pleasant discourse or other. He bid us be secret, for, said he, the imprisoned divine does not know who is his defender; if he did, I know his temper; in a sort of transport he would reveal it, and so I should be blamed for my good office.' You need not fear me, sir,' said my master; and I, good sir,' added I, you may be less afraid of, for I protest I do not know where I am, much less your person, nor heard where I should be driven, or 6 VOL. III. . from its grave in St. Pancras churchyard, in which sacred ground it seemed unfit he should be interred among many noble and pious personages." Amongst the common hack writers of the day was Richard Burridge, who sold written pamphlets for about half-a-crown each to the printers. He was author of a burlesque called the Dutch Catechism, and seems to have been a profligate wretch, fond of uttering blasphemy and drinking Geneva. At last he was imprisoned, and with B 66 another companion ordered to be pilloried without Temple | Bar. Gent graphically describes the exaltation of this literary genius with his friend. They had gotten skull caps made of printing balls stuffed with wool, which I was desired to carry to them; but these proved but weak helmets to avoid the eggs and stones that were made to fly at them by the furious mob, who had almost knocked out one of Burridge's eyes, who was thought the greatest villain of the two. But with the other he deeply marked the person whom he thought had hit such an unlucky blow; so that when he came down he drew out his penknife, and I believe would have stabbed him to the heart, were it not for the interposition of the attending officers of justice." Afterwards he wrote a book called Religio Libertini, giving an account of his past life, humbly desiring pardon of God and man, and professing that from an atheist he was become a convert." However, this worthy scribbler does not seem to have much amended, as Gent, recording his afterwards stealing a book from him, pathetically exclaims, "Abluis Ethiopem quid frustra, ah! desine; noctis Illustrare nigræ nemo potest tenebras. In 1724, Gent set out by the stage coach to York, and arrived after four days' journey Here he married, set up in business on his own account, and published most of the books by which he is now remembered. His enterprise and spirit soon created rivals. In the latter portion of his life, his affairs seemed on the decline, and though he continued to reside at his house in Petergate, opposition had done its work, and Gent's press became in little request. Still he had friends who respected him, and who tried To smooth the harsh severities of age; and at length this old veteran of the press, "the oldest master printer in the kingdom," died on the 19th of May, 1778, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, and was interred in the church of St. Michael le Belfrey. It would be impossible to give a complete catalogue of all the books produced by a man who was at once author, printer, and publisher. The following are the most important. Divine Entertainments, or Sighs and Groans of the Wounded Soul, in verse, with woodcuts, 1724. Ancient and Modern History of the famous City of York, with plan and view of the City, 8vo. 1730. Ancient and Modern History of the loyal town of Rippon, woodcuts, &c. 8vo. 1733. History of Kingston upon Hull, adorned with cuts, 1735. British Piety displayed in the Glorious Life of St. Winefred, 12mo. 1743. Compendious History of England and Rome, 2 vols. 12mo. 1741. History of the Antient Militia in Yorkshire under King Venusius, 2 leaves, 1760. The most delectable, scriptural, and pious history of the Great Eastern Window in St. Peter's Cathedral, York, woodcuts, 8vo. 1762. Divine Mercy and Justice displayed, set forth in unhappy birth, wicked life, and miserable end of Judas Iscariot, 8vo. 1772. The Holy Life and Death of St. Robert, Hermit of Knaresborough, 12mo. Elegiac Pastoral on the death of the Earl of Carlisle, 12mo. The Pattern of Piety, or Tryals of Patience, being Spiritual Songs of the Life and Death of the once afflicted Job, 12mo. Scarborough, 1734. Life of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, 12mo. Contingencies, &c. of this transitory life, set forth in a pathetic prologue, spoken at the tragedy of Jane Shore, 8vo. 1761. Miscellanea Curiosa, or Entertainments for the Ingenious of both sexes, 8vo. 1734, 1735. The Circle squared by Thomas Baxter. Epistle to the Earl of Oxford on the usefulness of a supplement to Walton's Polyglott. Gent was also the author of Teague's Ramble, a satire on the booksellers, and wrote accounts of trials at Assizes, besides translating into verse Dering's Reliquiæ Eboracenses. He also printed songs for the Summer's Entertainment, Book of Emblems, Preparation for Death, Bishop of Rochester's Effigy, Ode to King George, two editions of Erasmus, a translation of Oppian's Cynegeticks, Clarke's Justin, and a Newspaper. LUCKY AND UNLUCKY DAYS.-I wish some of your correspondents would give me any information about J. Gibbon, the author of a whimsical piece called " Day Fatality, or some observations of Days lucky and unlucky," folio, 1679, and which 66 was reprinted in Aubrey's still more whimsical miscellany, with additions by himself."-See Harl. Misc. The present age seems more given to scepticism than credulity. We pride ourselves on being wiser than our old fashioned grandfathers, and no longer fee the astrologer to have our nativity cast, or cross the "cunning man's" hand with silver to hear our fortune told. We have lost all faith in ghosts, and are no longer disturbed by the vagaries of fairies, or the machinations of witches; we have wiped all the red letter days out of the Almanack, and keep no holidays but those at the Bank. We are too busy to be superstitious, and think the luckiest day is when we make a good bargain; the unluckiest, when prices are down in the market, or a troublesome bill falls due too soon. Do you remember Boz's story of the gentleman travelling by coach, and his remarkable coincidences. Let us see if, in the book I have quoted, I cannot find a few historical facts, equally as remarkable for the amusement of your readers. The third of September was a remarkable day to the English Attila, Oliver Cromwell. In 1650 he obtained a memorable victory at Dunbar on that day; another at Worcester, 1651, and on that day he died 1658. Thursday was a fatal day to Henry VIII. and also to his posterity. He died on Thursday, January 28. King Edward VI. on Thursday, July 6. Queen Mary on Thursday, November 17. Queen Elizabeth on Thursday, March 24. Elizabeth, the wife of Henry VII. was born and died on the 11th of February. |