_The Book-sellers Prentice gives an account of his Masters first tricks
in Cheating, by Printing Books that were other mens Copies._
After this conference with the Scrivener, I went home; and as he told
me, my saying to my Master that I had been with him was sufficient, so I
found it; for I was asked no more Questions, but went to bed; and there
did I recollect to my self, all that he had that evening told me: and
though I could not perfectly remember the several terms of Art he used,
as Judgement, Execution, _Scire facias_, Statute, Procuration, and
Continuation, _&c._ Yet I was sensible of their meaning, and did very
much wonder, how any man could sleep being guilty of so many crimes as
he and his Master were; yet I found that they slept the better, or at
leastwise fared the better, by reason of their great wealth; and then
did I compare my forepassed life, to what I had heard of them, and it
was not worth mentioning; so that from that time, I had a more
charitable opinion for my self then formerly. And since I had so good
success with my Scrivener, I was resolved to be a little more intimate
with the rest of the Society, especially the Book-seller, that I might
know how he gained his Money: and the next day I had my desire; for
meeting him abroad, we went to an Ale-house, and there did I discover to
him part of my yesterdays actions with the Scrivener, and thereby
induced him to make me this following Discourse.
Truly Brother (for so we called one another) you have told me wonders,
though so admirable, that I could not have thought so much crafty
knavery could have been committed by any man breathing, though I did
believe that there was more then I understood, having always heard that
it was a dangerous thing to squeeze Wax, and that Scriveners in general
were cunning fellows, but that any man out of nothing should by tricks
and subtile contrivances, gain to himself so great an Estate, and yet
not run into the compass of the Law, but now I see the Proverbs
verified, _Nothing venture, nothing have, and that a blot is no blot
till it be hit, and give a man luck and throw him into the Sea_. And
although I have thought my Master a man cunning and crafty enough, and
did believe that he who deals in Books could not be outwitted, yet I see
that a piece of Parchment with a seal to it, is better then a great many
Books, nay then a whole Impression: but that I may give you some
satisfaction in what you desire, I shall proceed in my Discourse; and
though I cannot tell you so many, nor so profitable contrivances as you
have related to me, yet those of our calling deserve not to go much
behind, and we do our utmost good will to cheat, though it turns not to
so good an account.
My Master when I came to Prentice had but a small stock of Books, and
those were all in his Shop, with which, together with some paper,
parchment, pens, and such like Stationers ware, he made a shift to pick
up an indifferent livelihood; but he being of a reaching brain, and
seeing there were very rich people, such as gained great Estates, and
lived bravely of the same trade: he made it his business to inquire into
their way: the most sorts of Books that we sold were Testaments,
Psalters, Grammars, Accidences, and such books as we call Priviledged
ware, and indeed were Printed for the Company in general, and to be had
of some of the Stock-keepers, or masters of the Company, or at the Hall,
and though our profit in selling these sorts of books was but small, as
not above two pence in the shilling, yet it was a certain commodity, and
the sale sure: whereas other books; either of Divinity, History, _&c._
were not so certain, though more profitable, as commonly bringing four
pence in the shilling profit, and thus did we continue buying books of
other book-sellers, as we were asked for them, and had occasion; my
Master commonly keeping to one man, because he could there be trusted
and furnished, with any book he wanted, it fortuned that a new book
being printed, a small thing of about four or five sheets of paper: it
sold so well, that my Master went often for them to his wonted place:
one time they had none of them left, but desiring my Master to stay,
they would send for some; which my Master did, but the Messenger came
back without any, and brought word that he should not have any more of
them upon account or exchange, for he now held them at ready Money, and
that he would have, or part from none; well then, said my Master, I will
go thither and buy some my self. No, said the Master of the shop, you
shall not need, I’le send for some this once with ready Money, and you
shall have them cheaper of me then of him; and so he did, and he
received them and told me, that if he wanted any more, he could be very
well furnished with them within three or four days, and the other had
been better not to have served him so; but the book selling very well,
all my masters were gone that night; and I went my self to the
bookseller who printed them for some, the which I had; but the next day
I went again, he had none, and told me that I could not have any in a
weeks time. I acquainted my Master herewith, who being called upon for
some of them, went to his old place to see if they had any, they told
him they had none at present, but to morrow he might have what number he
pleased, accordingly the next day I went, and brought fifty of them with
me; and then my Master (beginning to suspect that which he afterwards
found out) sent me to the booksellers who printed them, and he had none,
wherefore he then concluded that the bookseller with whom he was wont to
deal had printed them, though they were none of his Copy, at which he
wondred: for the greater sort of booksellers did use to inform us that
it was a most heinous and unlawful thing to print another mans Copy, so
that I think, this was the first time that my master discovered this
Mystery, for the Book continuing to sell, we sold in our Shop above five
hundred of them; so that my Master begining to consider with himself,
reckoned that he had payd to his Dealer above five pounds for these
Pamphlets, and yet got very well by them too: wherefore not long after
coming into the company of a Printer, he asked what it would cost to
print 2000 of a Book of five Sheets of paper: the Printer replyed, Ten
pound: by this my master guessed that his Dealer had gained half in half
by him: for he had paid for 500, half what 2000 would cost. My Master
holding some further Discourse with this Printer over a pot of Ale, he
told him that he did work for such a man, naming the Bookseller with
whom my Master dealt, and saith he, I lately did two sheets for him of a
book he gained well by, for I printed 5000 for my share: so that at
length, after conference together, they concluded it was the same book
my Master sold so many of, and that he had printed it in three or four
places for expedition, and that he could not gain less then 30_l._ by
printing it: I but says my Master, how will he do to answer it to the
other man whose Copy it was? For that, said the Printer, he will do well
enough, for the other is but a young man, and light upon his Copy by
chance; and though the Law forbids such doings, as the printing one
anothers Copies, yet the great ones commonly devour and eat up the
little ones, and will venture on it being but a small thing; and it may
be this young man is indebted to the other: and indeed it is a usual
thing, and we do such Jobbs very frequently, especially for the Grand
ones of the Company. But how comes it, said my Master, that some or
other do not print their Copies, as Testaments, Psalters, _&c._ As for
that, said the Printer, it is very dangerous, for if they were taken, it
belonging to the whole Company, they would be sure to seize on it, and
sue the party so offending; besides, the books are too big for every one
to venture on, & will lie too long in hand a doing; but sometimes such
things are done, but in another way, as I can tell. Thus ended my Master
and the Printer their Discourse of this matter, and my Master desired
the printer to call on him some times, and he would drink with him; and
it may be have some employment for him, and thus they parted. My Master
now understanding thus much of his Trade, more than formerly, was
resolved it should not be long ere he were doing somewhat: thus
pondering in his mind, he could not tell what design to begin with, for
we sold very little but priveledged Ware, and those it was dangerous
medling with, neither would my Masters stock reach to any thing
considerable; at last resolving to play at small game rather then stand
out, he bethought himself, and resolved to print the _A B C_, a little
Childs book of a sheet of paper: he knew not then what printer to
intrust, for he durst not make use of the former Printer, lest he should
acquaint his Dealer; but it was not long ere he light upon one fit for
his purpose, and to work he went, my master sending in paper, and so
they were printed, delivered, and paid for, but when my Master had them,
he knew not how to dispose of them, lest he should be caught; but that
he might have the better pretence, he went and bought 300 of them of his
Dealer, and so laying them by, sold his own, and being acquainted with a
primer-binder, he got him to exchange with him for primers, and such
like small books he was rid of most of them to his great profit, for he
gained, as I have heard him say, above five pounds by that jobb, which
was then a great deal of money, and by this means his Shop was better
furnished with small books & paper, and now he had good credit with the
paper-Merchant, which before he could not have. Not long after, the
Printer who had printed the _A B C_ came to him and acquainted him, that
if he would venture a matter of ten pounds, he might be concerned in
printing of a book that would turn to a very good account and it may be
get twenty pound by the bargain: he having had such good success in the
last, ventures upon this, it was a Sermon that then sold very well, and
he had another partner, and my Master having some money by him, and
pretty good credit at the paper-merchants; he found paper, and the other
paid for printing, and at two places it was done in a Week; my master
putting them out in _London_ to the _Mercuries_ and others at one penny
a piece less then the ordinary rate, and his partner dealing with
Country-Chapmen, sent good store away into the Country; and thus, though
this was another mans Coppy, they sold all their books in a short time,
and gained 25_l._ a piece. This was a good beginning, said I to the
Bookseller, and I did not think your Trade had been so profitable; but
now I believe, that these courses being prosecuted, a considerable
Estate may be gained in a short time: that you shall soon hear, replied
he: but the Discourse being somewhat long, I shall for the present end,
and prosecute the rest in the following Chapter.
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