On the 18th of February 1734, the house of commons received a petition
from Mr. Samuel Buckley, a learned printer; setting forth that he had,
at his sole expense, by several years’ labour, and with the assistance
of some learned persons abroad and at home, made collections of original
papers and letters relating to “Thuanus’s History,” written in Latin, in
order to a new and accurate edition, in 7 vols. folio, which was
finished; that the act of the 8th of Q. Anne, for the encouragement of
learning, extended only to the authors, purchasers, or proprietors of
the copy-right of any book in English, published after the 10th of
April, 1710, and allowed the importation or vending of any books in
foreign language printed beyond the seas; so that any books, first
compiled and printed in this kingdom in any of those languages, might be
reprinted abroad and sold in this kingdom, to the great damage of the
first printer or proprietor: he therefore prayed, that he might be
allowed the same benefit in his copy of the “History of Thuanus,” in
Latin, for fourteen years. Leave was given to bring in the bill, and it
afterwards passed into an act.
The protection of this excellent work was a justice due to the spirit
and liberality of Mr. Buckley. He had been originally a bookseller. John
Dunton says of him, “He is an excellent linguist, understands the Latin,
French, Dutch, and Italian languages, and is master of a great deal of
wit: he prints the ‘Daily Courant,’ and ‘Monthly Register,’ which, I
hear, he translates out of the foreign papers himself:”--a great merit,
it should seem, in the eyes of old Dunton.
Mr. Buckley was a really learned printer. The collections for his
edition of Thuanus were made by Carte, who had fled to France from an
accusation of high treason, during the rebellion of 1715 and while in
that country possessed himself of so many materials for the purpose,
that he consulted Dr. Mead, the celebrated physician, and patron of
literary men, concerning the undertaking. By the doctor’s
recommendation, it was intrusted to Mr. Buckley, who imported the paper
for it, which, with the materials, cost him 2,350_l._ He edited the work
with fidelity, and executed it with elegance.
Mr. Buckley was the publisher of the “Spectator,” which appeared in
folio from his shop at the Dolphin in Little Britain, a place then
filled with booksellers. At the close of the seventh volume this popular
work was suspended, but resumed by Buckley in Amen-corner. He attained
to opulence and respectability, was in the commission of the peace for
Middlesex, and died, greatly esteemed, on the 8th of September, 1741, in
the sixty-eighth year of his age.[2]
It is related of the great lord chancellor Hardwicke, that he so highly
regarded “Thuanus’s History,” as to have resigned the seals for the
express purpose of being enabled to read it in the original language.[3]
It has been computed that a person who gave his attention to this work
for four hours every day, would not finish the perusal in twelve months.
It comprehends the events of sixty-four years, during the times wherein
Thuanus lived and flourished as an eminent French author and statesman.
His English biographer quotes, as a character of his writings, that, “in
a word, they are calculated to render those who attend to them better
and wiser men.”[4]
* * * * *