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William Garton.

"William Caxton an Englishman, memorable for having first introduced the art of printing into his native country, was born in Kent about 1410, and served an apprenticeship to Robert Large, a London mercer, who in 1439 was Lord Mayor. On the death of his master, Caxton went to the Netherlands, as agent for the Mercer's company, in which situation he continued about twenty-three years. His reputation for probity and abilities occasioned his being employed, in conjunction with Richard Whitchill, to conclude a treaty of commerce between Edward IV, and Phillip duke of Burgundy. He appears subsequently to have held some office in the household of duke Charles, the son of Phillip, whose wife, the lady Margaret of York, distinguished herself as the patroness of Caxton. Whilst abroad he became acquainted

with the then newly

JOHN FUST. At the

discovered invention of printing. by request of the duchess, his mistress, he translated from the French, a work, which he entitled "The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye, by Raoul le Feure," which he printed at Cologne, 1471, in folio. This book, considered as the earliest specimen of Typography in the English Language, is reckoned very valuable. At the famous sale of the Duke of Roxburgh's library in 1812, a copy was purchased by the Duke of Devonshire for 1060l. 10s., which originally belonged to Elizabeth Gray, Queen of Edward the Fourth. A copy sold in West's Sale, 1773, for 327. 11s., an imperfect copy sold at Lloyd's Sale in 1816, for 1261. After this he printed other works abroad, chiefly translations from the French; at length having provided himself with the means of practising the art in England, he returned thither, and in 1474 had a press at Westminster abbey, where he printed the "Game and Playe of the Chesse," generally admitted to be the first typographical work executed in England. Caxton continued to exercise his art for nearly twenty years, during which space he produced between fifty and sixty volumes, most of which were composed or translated by himself. Among his most distinguished patrons were John Islip, abbot of Westminster, and those two learned noblemen John Tibetot, earl of Worcester, and Anthony Wydeville, earl Rivers, Caxton died about 1492, and was buried, according to some accounts at Campden in Gloucestershire; though others state his interment as having taken place at St. Margaret's, Westminster. The following lines from his epitaph are characteristic of the age:

"Moder of merci, shylde him from th' orribul fynd,

And bring him lyff eternal, that never hath ynd."

Ame's devotes 116 quarto pages to an account of Caxton, and of the Works that passed through his press; to Wynken de Worde, the second Printer of note, he has bestowed 120 pages, and to Richard Pinson, 84 pages. He has also given portraits of the above personages, with one or two others, which I insert as fac simile's of the rude wood block devices, characteristic of the time.

John Lettou and William Machlinia, or Macklyn, were cotemporaries of Caxton, as well as Wynken de Worde. "Lyttletons Tenures," is supposed by Sir William Dugdale, to have been Printed by them in the reign of Henry VIII., and Dr. Middleton, in his discourse on Printing, supposes the above book to have been put to press by the Author, Littleton, who died 1481. It contains 108 leaves folio,

Mr. Ames has placed John Lettou with William Machlinia between Caxton and Wynken de Worde which authorizes the supposition of Sir Wm. Dugdale, and of Middleton.

Wynkin de Worde.

"This famous printer, was a foreigner, born in the dukedom of Lorrain, as appears by the patent-roll in the the chapel of the Rolls. Our first printer, Caxton, when resident abroad, might probably meet with him there, and engage him to come over to England for a servant or assistant, like as John Faust at Mentz had his lad, or servant, Peter Sheoffer, whom they chose for their ingenuity and promising parts; and their after works shew they were not mistaken in their choice. However this be, he continued in some capacity with Caxton till his death, 1491; and printed at his house in Westminister afterwards.

If he was married or not, or had relations that came over with him does not appear by his will; yet we find in the church-wardens accounts for St. Margarets Westminster, an entry made in the year 1498. "Item for the knell of Elizabeth de Worde vi pence, Item, For iii torches, with the grete belle for her, v. iii." Again, in the year 1500,item for the knelle Julian de Worde, with the grete bell, vi. pence."

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By his connection with Mr. Caxton, and on account of this new art, he occasionally fell into the company and acquaintance of the learned and noble of this kingdom; and at length was appointed printer to Margaret mother of king Hen. VII. and grandame to Henry the VIII. as he styles himself in 1509; which is the first year of thus describing himself."

"After the death of Mr. Caxton, he printed, in his house as aforesaid; primarily it may be supposed with his types, sometimes using his cypher only, without the printer's name; sometimes adding "in Caxton's house;" and at other times, probably the the latter part of his dwelling there, adding thereto his own name also. By his colophons we learn that he continued at Westminister until the year 1500, or very likely 1501; in which year we find in Mr. Ames, an account of only one book,' Mons perfectionis,' without any account where it was printed; but Palmer's continuator has added “ibid," which must refer to Westminster preceding; and he does not mention any book printed by him at the Sun in Fleet-street before 1503 : however I find "The ordynarye of crysten men" was printed there in 1502. We do not find any sign mentioned by him while at Westminster. It has been supposed that Caxton's cypher might have been exhibited as a sign, but we find no imitation of this by either Caxton or himself."

He printed Bartholomæus de Proprietatilns Reruw.The first book printed on paper made in England.

At the Duke of Roxburgh's in 1812, a copy sold for 701. 7s. An imperfect copy at the Sale of Stanesby Alchorne, Esq. in 1813, sold to the Duke of Devonshire for 137. 13s.

Rowe Mores was of opinion that Wynken de Worde was his own Letter Founder, a circumstance that shews the rapid progress of the Art in England at so early a period; in fact, the circumstance cannot be doubted, for it appears that Caxton had him employed with Fust's servants, at Cologne ;amongst whom were also said to be, Pynson, Rood, Macklin, and Lettou.

The great advancement and improvements in this beautiful Art, during the whole of the last and present centuries, has been truly astonishing; aided by the taste and talents of the Caslon's, Baskerville, Fry, Figgins, Thorowgood, and others, as Type Founders.

Richard Pynson, Gsq.

"Was born in Normandy in France, as appears by king Henry's patent of naturalization, wherein he is styled "Richardus Pynson, in partibus Normand, oriund." However there were of the same name in England, as may be seen in the church-warden's account for St. Margaret's Westminster, in the year 1504; "Item, received of Robert Pynson for four tapers iiii d." Perhaps some relation of his. There was also one Philip Pinson an Englishman, who died of the plague, the 2d of December, 1503; three days after he had been nominated to the archbishoprick of Tuam, in Ireland."