[1] The city of Haarlem designs to erect a statue of COSTAR [since
this was written the statue has been placed in the great square];
thus publicly, in the eyes of Europe, to vindicate the priority of
this inventor of typography. But a statue is not the final argument
which, like the cannon of monarchs (that _ultima ratio regum_), will
carry conviction on the spot it is placed. Mentz has already erected
a statue of GUTENBERG. I have no doubt that, in the present state of
agitation, both these statues will have much to say to one another,
as the mystical Pasquin and Marforio of typography.
[2] "Some Observations on the Use and Original of the noble Art and
Mystery of Printing," by F. Burges. Norwich, 1701. This is declared
to be the first book printed at Norwich; where it appears that the
establishment of a printing-office, so late as in 1701, encountered a
stern opposition from its sage citizens. The writer did not know that
as far back as 1570 a Dutch printer had exercised the novel art by
printing religious books for a community of Dutch emigrants who had
taken refuge at Norwich, according to the recent discovery of Dr.
Cotton, in his "Typographical Gazetteer"--a volume abounding with the
most vigorous researches.
[3] Hallam's "Introduction to the Literature of Europe," i. 211.
[4] Twenty copies of this famous Bible exist; one is preserved in our
Royal Library.
[5] Ottley's "Inquiry into the Early History of Engraving." See also
note in "Curiosities of Literature," vol. i, p. 43.
[6] Dr. WETTER, of Mentz, has lately shown that, contrary to the
common opinion, Gutenberg himself printed long with _wooden blocks_;
and that, instead of the invention of moveable types having been the
result of long study, _it arose out of a "sudden fancy."_
How the Doctor has authenticated "the sudden fancy," I know not, but
the apotheosis has passed. In three successive days, in the month of
August, 1837, all Mentz congregated to worship the statue, by
Thorwaldsen, of their ancient citizen in the square that henceforward
bears his name. A chorus of 700 voices resounded the laud of the
German printer; the flags in the regatta waved to his honour; and the
festival rejoiced the city: and when the figure of Gutenberg was
unveiled, the artillery, the music, and the people's voices, blending
together, seemed to echo in the skies.
[7] Dr. Cotton's curious "Typographical Gazetteer," art. OXONIA. Of a
class of the earliest printed books, having no printer's name, he
observes, "These may have been printed by Corsellis, or any one
else."
[8] Atkyns on the "Original and Growth of Printing." This quarto
pamphlet is highly valued among collectors for Loggan's beautiful
print of Charles the Second, Archbishop Shelden, and General Monk.
Dr. Middleton refuted this ridiculous tale of an ideal printer, one
Corsellis, in his "Dissertation on the Origin of Printing in
England," first published 1735, and which now may be seen in his
works.
[9] The fourth day of the "Bibliographical Decameron" of Dr. Dibdin
exhibits an ample view of the pending controversies on the "Origines
Typographicae." Every bibliographer has his favourite hero. The reader
will observe that I have none! And yet possibly my tale may be the
truest.