This work will transmit the name of Ruddiman with celebrity to every age, as long as the language of Rome shall continue to be taught in the schools of Scotland. Philology had not been much cultivated in the northern parts of Britain, before Ruddiman appeared. In Chalmers' Life of Ruddiman, (Appendix No. 4,) is a chronological list, drawn up by T. Ruddiman, of such grammars as had been written by Scotchmen.

1714. Sept. Died, THOMAS BRITTON, known as the musical small coal man, and for his extraordinary acquirements in chymistry, music, and knowledge of books. He was born at or near Higham Ferrars, in Northamptonshire; and went to London, where he bound himself apprentice to a small coal man, and when out of his time, set up for himself in the same line, in Clerkenwell, and by the prudence of his deportment, obtained the friendship of some of the most eminent literary characters of the day.

Britton's skill in ancient books and manuscripts is mentioned by Hearne; and in his preface to his edition of Robert of Gloucester, he refers to a curious manuscript copy of that historian in Britton's possession. The means used by him and other collectors of ancient books and manuscripts about this time, were as follow, and these include an intimation of Britton's pursuits and connections.

About the beginning of this century, a passion for collecting old books and manuscripts reigned among the nobility. The chief of those who sought after them were the duke of Devonshire, Edward, earl of Oxford, and the earls of Pembroke, Sunderland, and Winchelsea. These persons in the winter season, on Saturdays, the parliament not sitting on that day, were used to resort to the city, and, dividing themselves, took several routs, some to Little Britain, some to Moorfields, and others to different parts of the town, inhabited by booksellers: there they would inquire into the several shops as they passed along for old books and manuscripts; and some time before noon would assemble at the shop of Christopher Bateman, a bookseller, at the corner of Ave-Maria-lane, in Paternoster-row; and here they were frequently met by Bagford and other persons engaged in the same pursuits, and a conversation always commenced on the subject of their inquiries. Bagford informed them where any thing curious was to be seen or purchased, and they in return obliged him with a sight of what they from time to time collected. While they were engaged in this conversation, and as near as could be to the hour of twelve by St. Paul's clock, Britton, who by that time had finished his round, arrived clad in his blue frock, and pitching his sack of small coal on the bulk of Mr. Bateman's shop window, would go in and join them; and after a conversation, which generally lasted about an hour, the noblemen above mentioned adjourned to the Mourning Bush, at Aldersgate, where they dined and spent the remainder of the day.

The singularity of his character, the course of studies, and the collections he made, induced

suspicions that Britton was not the man h seemed to be: and what Mr. Walpole says as t this particular is very true; some thought hi musical assembly only a cover for seditous meet ings; others for magical purposes; and the Britton himself was taken for an Atheist, Presbyterian, or a Jesuit; but these were il grounded conjectures, for he was a plain, simpl honest man, perfectly inoffensive, and high esteemed by all that knew him; and, notwit standing the meanness of his occupation, w called Mr. Britton; and was so much disti guished, that, when passing through the stree in his blue linen frock, and with his sack small coal on his back, he was frequently a costed with the following expressions, "The goes the famous small coal man, who is a lov of learning, a performer in music, and a comp nion for gentlemen."

Britton was in his person a short thickman, with a very honest, ingenious countenan There are two pictures of him extant, bo painted by Mr. Woolaston, and from both the are mezzotinto prints. The following lines we written under a picture done after his death:

Though mean thy rank, yet in thy humble cell
Did gentle peace and arts unpurchased dwell,
Well pleased Apollo thither led his train,
And music warbled in her sweetest strain.
Cylennius so, as Fables tell, and Jove
Came willing guests to poor Philemon's grove.
Let useless Pomp behold, and blush to find
So low a station, such a liberal mind.

His death was occasioned by a trick play upon him by Samuel Honeyman, a blacksmi who was famous as a ventriloquist. This was introduced to Britton, by a Mr. Robe, justice, for the purpose of terrifying him, and succeeded in it: Honeyman, announced, as fr afar off, the death of poor Britton within a hours, with an intimation that the only way avert his doom was for him to fall on his kn and say the Lord's prayer. Britton did as was bid, went home and took to his bed, and a few days died, leaving his friend Mr. R to enjoy the fruits of his mirth.

Besides his books, he left a very large collect of manuscript and printed music and musi instruments. His effects were sold by aucti and realized a considerable sum for the ben of his widow. Lord Somers gave £500 for collection of pamphlets; and sir Hans Sloa was also a purchaser of many curious articles

1714, Jan. 4. Balm of Gilead, or the Hea of Divisions, No. 1, printed by J. Mayo, sold by Frederick Burleigh, at Amen-corner.

1714. Jan. 25. British Merchant, or Co merce preserved; in Answer to the Mercator, Commerce retrieved, No. 22.

1714. The Waies of Literature. This was first critical journal in England, and continu till the year 1722.

1714, Feb. 25. The Lover, written in Imi tion of the Tatler, by Marmaduke Myrtle, Ge This was the production of Steele, and publish thrice a week. It ended May 27, in 40 Nos.

1714, March 22. Patriot, No. 1. In No. 125, Jan. 22, 1715, the author of this paper takes leave of the town; and avows his name to be John Harris, a young man who had not then seen two and twenty years.

1714, April 22. The Reader, No. 1. This was another periodical by Steele, and commenced in opposition to the Examiner of Swift, which continued with unabated zeal to blazon forth the virtues of the tory administration, and to calumniate the merit of its opponents. Both the Lover and the Reader received the assistance of Addison; and the latter work reached but nine numbers, ending May 10.

1714, April 22. Monitor, No. 1. The second number of this paper gives the following brief account of the names and titles of such of the pamphlets and weekly papers as were then, or had lately been, flourishing in this nation; that is to say, "Prints: Guardian, Englishman; (defunct.) From the ashes of which (phoenixlike) are risen, the Lover, Patriot, Merchant, Flying Post, Daily Courant, Examiner, Postboy, Mercator, Weekly Pacquet, Dunton's Ghost. The authors of those prints and pamphlets: Mr. George Ridpath and Co.; Mr. Samuel Buckley, the learned printer; Mr. Toland, a Socinian heretick, Mr. Collins, Freethinker; Mr. Steele, a gentleman born;

Tantò major Famæ sitis est, quàm Virtutis.—Juv.

Mr. Asgill, a Lawyer going to heaven by fire; Mr. John Dunton, lunatick; Mr. Abel Roper and his man Toby: with divers others utterly unknown."

1714, May 1. High German Doctor, No. 1. Ended May 12, 1715.

1714, May 5. The Muscovite, No. 1. 1714, Oct. 8. The Controller, being a Sequel the Examiner, No. 1.

1714, Dec. 6. N. Mist's Weekly Journal, No. 1. 1714. Norwich Courant, or Weekly Packet, rinted by Mr. Collins, price three halfpence. 1715, March 17. Died, GILBERT BURNET, ishop of Salisbury. He was born at Edinburgh, eptember 18, 1743, where his father was an dvocate of reputation, and nephew of Johnston Warriston, one of the principal popular leaders the civil war in Scotland. Gilbert Burnet reived his education at Edinburgh and Aberen, and afterwards went to Holland to study * Hebrew language. In 1679 appeared the st volume of his History of the Reformation, which he received the thanks of parliament. his work he afterwards completed in three lames. His work entitled A History of My Times, which was not printed till the year 24, gives an outline of the events of the civil and commonwealth, and a full narration all that took place from the restoration to year 1713, during which the author had vanced from his seventeenth to his seventieth ur. Under various circumstances, Burnet had ronally known the conspicuous characters of entury, and penetrated most of the state

secrets nearly as long. He wrote many other works in history, biography, and theology. After entering life as a clergyman of his native church, Burnet removed to a benefice in London, where, partly by his talents, and partly through forward and officious habits,* he rendered himself the confidant of many high political persons. Exiled by the Stuarts, he became serviceable in Holland to the prince of Orange, accompanied the expedition which brought about the revolution, and was rewarded by king William with the bishopric of Salisbury. He was twice married; first to a Dutch lady, who died in 1693, and soon after was united to Mrs. Berkley.

1715, May 18. Susannah Centlivret received from Mr. Curll twenty guineas in full for the copy of the comedy of the Wonder; or, a Woman keeps a Secret.

1715. The Common Prayer Book was engraved upon copper-plates, by Mr. Sturt, and is one of the most beautiful examples of genius and industry in the world: every page has a border, and head and tail ornaments.

Mr. Sturt was born in 1648, and learnt the art of engraving under Robert White.§ In 1704 the rev. Samuel Wesley|| published the History of the New Testament, representing the Actions and Miracles of our Blessed Saviour and his Apostles, attempted in verse, and adorned with 152 engravings, in three volumes 12mo. These engravings were executed by Mr. Sturt. A third edition of this work appeared in 1717, in one volume 8vo, printed by R. B. for Thomas Ward, Inner Temple lane.

* "Dr. Burnet, that arch-villain," saith Fountainball, "attends the Rye House conspirators, captains Walcot, Rose, and Hone, at their execution, but was checked for penning their speeches, July 20, 1613,"

gentleman, but supposed to have been born in Ireland

+ Susannah Freeman was the daughter of a Lincolnshire

about 1667. After a life of extraordinary adventure, she

became a writer for the theatres, and appeared upon the in 1708, and sold to Lintot the bookseller, for 10. The stage. Her principal plays are the Busy Body, performed character of Marplot, in this comedy, is one of the most

memorable portraitures in the whole range of the English drama. The Wonder; or, a Woman keeps a Secret, appeared in 1714. Besides her dramatic pieces, she wrote

poems and letters. In 1706 she was married to Mr. CentShe died at London, December 1, 1723, and was buried in St. Martin's

livre, yeoman of the mouth to queen Anne. in the Fields.

Mr. Sturt published a Common Prayer Book, all of which was engraved on silver plates. Unfortunately, however, it did not sell; and poor Sturt became seriously alarmed, and took every body's advice (as usual) as what was to be done. It was at length determined to take off a number of copies privately, and then to cut the plates up publickly. After this, the hoarded copies being brought out stealthily, one by one, as particular favours, fetched greater prices. Such are the attractions and tricks in the

world of connoisseurs.-Noble's Grainger.

Robert White was born in London 1645, and was a Almanack, in 1674, Monckes Funeral, and a great number pupil of David Loggan's. He engraved the first Oxford of English heads. He died in 1704.

Father of John and Charles Wesley, the two cele brated founders of the methodists. He was rector of Epworth, in Lincolnshire, where he died, April 25, 1735. Mr. Wesley was a very voluminous author; and though his poetry was far from being excellent, he made amends for it by the goodness of his life. John Dunton, who was nearly related to him by marriage, says,

"He loves too much the Heliconian strand,
Whose stream's unfurnished with the golden sand."

1715, April 18. Messrs. Watson and Mawson apprehended for printing a paper containing reflections on the king's speech; and Kelsey also taken up for dispersing the same.

1715. BARNARD LINTOT,* JACOB TONSON, and WILLIAM TAYLOR, were appointed printers of the votes to the house of commons, by the Hon. Spencer Compton, then speaker. They held this office till 1727.

1715. Eikov Mipoßißλurn; sive Icon Libellorum; or, a History of Pamphlets,† tracing out their rise, growth, and different views of all sorts of small tracts or writings, both collectively and singly, in a general and gradual representation of their respective authors, collections of their several editions, &c. 8vo. By a Gentleman of the Inns of Court. Myles Davies.

Myles Davies and his works are imperfectly known to the most curious of our literary collectors. He was a Welch clergyman, of the most fervent loyalty to George I. and the Hanoverian succession; a scholar, learned in Greek and Latin, and skilled in all the modern languages. Quitting his native country in disgust, he changed his character in the metropolis, for he subscribes himself "counsellor at law." In an evil hour he commenced author, not only surrounded by his books, but with the more urgent companions of a wife and family; and with the child-like simplicity which sometimes marks the mind of a retired scholar, we perceive him imagining that his immense reading would prove a source, not easily exhausted, for their subsistence. By his account, "The avarice of booksellers, and the stinginess of hard-hearted patrons, had driven him into a cursed company of door-keeping herds, to meet the irrational brutality of those uneducated, mischievous animals called footmen, house-porters, poetasters, mumpers, apothecaries, attorneys, and such like beasts of prey," who were, like himself, sometimes barred up for hours in the menagerie of a great man's antichamber. In his addresses to doctors Mead and Freind he declares, "My misfortunes drive me to publish my writings for a poor livelihood; and nothing but the utmost necessity could make any man in his senses to endeavour at it in a method so burthensome to the modesty and education of a scholar." For further particulars of this extraordinary writer, and of his hard fate, see the Calamities of Authors, vol. i. pp. 67-80.

1715, June 24. Died, JOHN PARTRIDGE (if that was indeed his real name,) had the fortune to procure a ludicrous immortality, by attracting the satire of dean Swift. He was the author of various astrological treatises; and the editor of an almanack, under the title of Martinus Liberatus. Swift, in ridicule of the whole class of impostors, and of this man in particular, published his celebrated Predictions for the year

* Joshua Lintot, Jacob Tonson, Timothy Goodwin, and John Roberts, held the same appointment from 1708 to 1710, whilst sir Richard Onslow was speaker.

For the meaning of the word pamphlet, see p. 188, ante. This rare book forms the first volume of the Athena Britannica.

1708, by Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.," which among other prognostications, announced, with the most happy assumptions of the mixture of caution and precision affected by these annual Soothsayers, an event of no less importance than the death of John Partridge himself, which he fixed to the 29th of March, about eleven at night. The wrath of this astrologer was, of course, extreme; and in his almanack for 1709, he was at great pains to inform his loving countrymen that squire Bickerstaff was a sham name, assumed by a lying, impudent fellow, and that, "blessed be God, John Partridge was still living, and in health, and all were knaves who reported otherwise."

There were two incidental circumstances worthy of notice in this ludicrous debate, which had been carried on by both parties: First, The inquisition of the kingdom of Portugal took the matter as seriously as John Partridge, and gravely condemned to the flames the predictions of the imaginary Isaac Bickerstaff. 2ndly, By an odd coincidence, the company of stationers obtained in 1709, an injunction against any almanack published under the name of John Partridge, si if the poor man had been dead in sad earnest It is astonishing what a number of persons buil their faith on the prediction, and actually be lieved the accomplishment had taken place, in all respects according to the relation. The wis of the time too, among whom were Steele and Addison,supported Swift, and uniformly affirme that Partridge had died on the day and hou predicted. But the most memorable consequence of the predictions of Isaac Bickerstaff, was the establishment of the same name by Steele, in the Tatler. The following is the epitaph which was written by dean Swift, upon John Partridge.

Here, five feet deep, lies on his back
A cobler, star-monger, and quack;
Who to the stars in pure good-will,
Does to his best look upward still.
Weep all you customers that use
His pills, his Almanacks, or shoes:
And you that did your fortunes seek,
Step to his grave but once a week:
This earth which bears his body's print,
You'll find has so much virtue in't,
That, I durst pawn my ears, 'twill tell
Whate'er concerns you, full as well,
In physic, stolen goods, or love,
As he himself could, when above.

Little is known of Partridge's private histor Parker, which, of course, involved much pe except from an altercation betwixt him and sonal abuse. According to his adversary, Pa tridge's real name was Hewson, a shoemaker trade, (which particular, at least, is undoubted but by choice a confederate and dependent Old Gadbury, one of the greatest knaves wh

* Swift wanting a ludicrous name to adorn his predi tions with, accidentally observed a sign over a locksmit house, with the name of Bickerstaff underneath it. Th struck him as adapted to his purpose, and adding the very common name of Isaac, he imagined he had forme an unprecedented conjunction; in this, however, he w mistaken, for some time afterwards a man was found London, who owned both names.

Bickerstaff unburied Dead; a melo drama, price shilling. Published by Dodd. January, 1743.

owed the knaving trade of astrology. In
9, Partridge commenced business for him-
, and published two or three nonsensical
ks upon his imaginary science. He also
tised physic, and styled himself Physician
is Majesty. But in king James's time, his
anacks grew so smart on Popery, that Eng-
became too hot for him; and accordingly,
a Dunton found him, with other refugees, in
land. He returned at the revolution, and
ried the widow of the duke of Monmouth's
r, who finally deposited him in the grave,
h had so long gaped for him, in this
, and adorned his monument, at Mortlake,
urry, with a Latin epitaph, which states that
ras born at Richmond, in Surry, January 18,
1, and died in London, June 24, 1715.*
715, Jan. 3. Spectator, volume the ninth and |
This work was published twice a week, and
ninated with the 61st number, on August 3,
the same year. It was conducted by Mr.
Hliam Bond, whose signature is affixed to a
ication to the viscountess Falconberg. Dr.
ike says he was "utterly disappointed in dis-
ering a single paper in the smallest degree
itled to the appellation of witty." Bond wrote
Dem in ridicule of Pope, and was rewarded for
temerity with a niche in the Dunciad.
1715, Feb. 14. The Grumbler, No. 1. This,
ich was a weekly paper, was probably the
duction of Ducket, and is alluded to in the
lowing lines of the 4to. edition of the Dunciad.

Behold yon pair in strict embraces joined;
How like in manners, and how like in mind!
Famed for good nature, Burnet, and for truth,
Ducket for pious passion to the youth:
Equal in wit, and equally polite,

Shall this a Pasquin, that a Grumbler write.

715, Feb. 17. The English Examiner, No. 1. 715, March. The Edinburgh Gazette, or tch Postman, printed by Robert Brown, on sday and Thursday in every week. 715, April 11. The Censor, No. 1. By Lewis obald. These essays appeared in Mist's nal, and were continued thrice a week withintermission, until thirty numbers had been ished. After an interval of about a year a half, the Censor was resumed three times ek, on Jan. 1, 1717, and closed, after comng the ninety-sixth number, on June 1, the le making three volumes.

715, April 21. Medley, or Daily Tatler; by my Quick, Esq. To be continued every day. 715, May 2. Daily Benefactor, No. 1. 715, June 22. St. James's Evening Post, ted for J. Baker, No. 1.

715, June. The Englishman, No. 1.

This

See Crispin Anecdotes, page 87. Lewis Theobald, a poet, an essayist, and editor, was at Sittingbourn, in Kent, and was brought up to his er's profession of the law, which he soon relinquished, levote himself to literature. In 1726, his talents seem have found a proper channel, for in that year he entered the editorship of the works of Shakspeare, and which re ushered into the world, in 1733, in eight volumes, a oduction which, notwithstanding the abuse of Pope and arburton, merited and acquired much reputation. He sed his life of poverty and literary labour in 1742.

was the commencement of the second volume. The whigs having succeeded in obtaining the administration, sir Richard Steele now saw those who had formerly calumniated and oppressed him driven from power, impeached, and trembling for the result; and it is the only blot, perhaps, in his political character, that instead of that mildness and forbearance which philosophy should have taught him to exercise towards those who had fallen into sudden adversity, and were no longer capable of thwarting his views, or injuring his promotion, the spirit of retaliation should have occupied his breast, and induced him to revile those as traitors and parricides, who were waiting the event of a trial by the laws of their country, and against whom, at such a period, to excite prejudice and aversion must be deemed at once vindictive and ungenerous. Such was, unhappily, the tendency of the republication of his pamphlets now against the late ministry. They appeared in one volume octavo, under the title of the Political Writings of sir Richard Steele, and among them he now first printed his Apology, with this motto, Fabula quanta fui ! and such also was the purport of this volume of the Englishman.

1715, July 7. Medley, No. 1.

1715, July 11. Faithful Collections, No. 1.

1715, Aug. 1. Oracle; being calculated for the answering questions in all arts and sciences, whether serious, comical, or humorous, both in prose and poetry, No. 1.

1715, Sept. 14. Examiner, Vol. III. No. 1. 1715, Sept. 27. The Salisbury Post Man; or, Packet of Intelligence from France, Spain, Portugal, &c. &c. No. 1. "This newspaper

contains an abstract of the most material occurrences of the whole week, foreign and domestic; and will be continued every post, provided a sufficient number will subscribe for its encouragement. If two hundred subscribe, it shall be delivered to any private or public-house in town, every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday morning, by eight of the clock, during the Winter season, and by six in the Summer, for three halfpence each. Any person in the country may order it by the post, coach, carriers, or market people; to whom they shall be carefully delivered. It shall be always printed in a sheet and half, and on as good paper; but this, containing the whole week's news, can't be afforded under twopence. Note. For encouragement to all those that may have occasion to enter advertisements, this paper will be made public in every market town forty miles distant from this city; and several will be sent as far as Exeter. Besides the news, we perform all other matters belonging to our art and mystery, whether in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Algebra, Mathematicks, &c. Printed by Samuel Farley, at his office adjoining to Mr. Robert Silcocks, on the ditch in Sarum, Anno 1715."

One part of the intelligence contained in the above-named paper is described as All from the from the London Evening Post. Written Letter; but a great portion is supplied

The newspaper from which the foregoing is