AUTHOR OF A "HISTORY OF THE BISHOPRIC OF LINCOLN," "THE HISTORY OF
GAINSBURGH," ETC. ETC.

In times ere yet the Press had blest mankind,
Perish'd unknown the noblest works of mind;
O'er trackless wastes, whence science lent no ray,
And cheerless climes, was genius doom'd to stray:
His usefulness as bounded as his fame,
His body death-oblivion seized his name;
The eternal essence to its source return'd,
Unfelt its blessings, and its loss unmourn'd.
How changed the auspices of those who wait,
In these our days at Fame's celestial gate!
"Tis merit leads them through the sacred bound,
Where flowers Elysian deck the holy ground,
Till Printing rose.-M'CREERY's Press.

LONDON:

LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THIS little book owes its origin to accidental circumstances, and its appearance to the publishers of the Travellers' Library. On this subject-the origin and progressive development of the Printing Artthere are several expensive works, in which much talent has been exhibited, in an endeavour to ascertain the precise period, as well as the specific work, which first issued from the press. Even with all these appliances, some difficulty has been felt in arriving at any positive conclusion; yet, by the condensation of facts scattered over various works, much that was previously obscure and uncertain, will, it is hoped, be found cleared up in this attempt to satisfy the wishes of all who feel an interest in the origin and practice of an art which has greatly influenced the destinies of mankind. In conclusion, the Author begs to offer his thanks to Mr. Whittingham, whose "Chiswick Press" has a worldwide fame, who did him the favour to read the proofsheets of this little work, and improved it by many valuable suggestions.

April, 1855.

A. S.