The Sun.
London, England, 1821-11-21 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICE.

MEMOIRS of the CELEBRATED PERSONS coMposnig.
the KIT CAT CLUB ; with a Prefatory Account of the•
Origin of the Association. Illustrated with forty-eight Por-
traits from the original Paintings, by Sir GODFREY KNI:L-
LER. London, 1821.

This is a volume of very considerable researcl
and interest. It comprises the lives of the mos

eminent men both as it respects rank and talents,
lof the reign of Queen ANNE, and abounds with
anecdotes, not only of the illustrious individuals
whose lives it records, but also of the literature
of that day ; we shall proceed to give a brief
account of the association itself, with an extract
or two from the body of the work.
The Kit Cat Club, consisting of the principal
Noblemen and Gentlemen who opposed the ar-
bitrary measures of James the Second, was insti-
tuted about the year 1700 ; for the purpose of
encouraging Literature and the Fine Arts, and
promoting loyalty and allegiance to the Protest-
ant Succession in the House of Hanover. Among
the forty-eight members of this distinguished as.
sociation, were the Dukes of New castle and
Marlborough ; the Earls of Halifax, Dorset and
Wharton ; Sirs Robert Walpole, John Van-
burgh, Richard Steele, Samuel Garth, Godfrey
Kneller, and Addison, Congreve, Pulteney,
IValsh, &c.
The Club is reported to have derived its title
from the name of the person at whose house the
meetings were held; this was at one Christopher
Cat's, a pastry cook, who lived in Shire-lane,
near Temple Bar, but subsequently at the Foun-
tain Tavern, Strand. The standard dish of
the society at supper was mutton pies—for
the manufacture of which Mr. Cat had acquired
considerable reputation. Besides this, which
may be considered as their greatest place of
resort, they were accustomed to meet occa-
sionally atthe Flask Tavern, Hampstead, and sub-
sequently at Barn Elms, at the house of their
Secretary, Jacob Tonson, who built a room for
their especial reception. The Society appears
to have died away about the year 17'20. Sir
John Vanburgh writing to Tonson in 17'25, says,
" you may believe, when I tell you, you were
often talked of, and our former Kit Cat days re-
membered with pleasure. We were one night
reckoning who were left, and both Lord Car-
lisle and Cobham expressed a great desire of
having one meeting next winter if you come to,
town; not as a club, but as old friends that have
been of a Club, and the best Club that ever
met." The Duke of Somerset writes to Tonson
to the same effect ; indeed this bookseller appears
to have been in high favour with the illustrious
persons who composed this association, for pre-
vious to the dissolution of the Society, the mem-
bers (following the example of the Duke of
Somerset) presented him with their portraits
painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller, from which the
engravings i❑ the present volume have been
copied.

From a copious and amusing notice of Jacob
Tonson, we extract the following passage on
booksellers:—

" In the days of our ancient friend, Tonson,
Little Britain was the grand emporium of books,
and the resort of learned men, and as Dr. John-
son will have it, their patrons. The Bollards,
famed for more than a century for their dealings
in printed paper, and remarkable for their sound
adherence to Church and State, had successively
their shops in Little Britain. The Bollards, 'l'.
Green, C. Davis, and John Whiston, were the
first booksellers who sold books by a marked
catalogue at fixed prices for ready money. This
plan is now pursued universally, and thus
people obtain a knowledge of the value of
works they wish to purchase; and the trader,
where the disposition to cheat exists, is precluded
from the practice of any gross imposition upon
his customer. Baker was the first who brought
selling books by auction into vogue. This prac-
tice is much abused at the present day, but is
found extremely serviceable in disposing of works
to the trade ; at each of whose sales an auctioneer,
chosen by general consent, presides, whose pro-
vince it is to offer the various works in sheets,
sometimes to be knocked down at what they will
fetch, but oftener with a reserve, not to be sold
at a price lower than the proprietor may have
previously fixed ; but we are, perhaps, discussing
with too much minuteness the secrets of the craft.
To return to Little Britain, the New View of
London in 1708, describing the place, says—
" This street is well built, and principally inha-
bited by booksellers ; especially from the pump
in Duck-lane, which is also taken up by dealers
in old hooks." Macky, in his 66 Tour through
England," in 1721, thus notices the situation of
trade at that period :—" The booksellers of an-
cient books in all languages are in Little Britain
and Paternoster-row;—those for divinity and
classics, on the north side of St. Paul's Cathe-
dral ; law, history, and plays, about Temple
Bar ;—and the French booksellers in the Strand ;"
it was about the commencement of George the
First's reign that booksellers first began to desert
Little Britain and Duck-lane, and hive in swarms
in Paternoster-row. The last of the trade who
inhabited Little Britain was Edward Ballard,
who died in 1796, at the age of eighty years, in
the house in which he was born. We learn from
Stowe that the company of Stationers, or Text-
writers, who wrote and sold all sorts of books
then in use ; namely, A, B, C, with the Pater-
noster And, Crede,•Grace, dwelt in and about
Paternoster-row. It appears that this neigh-
bourhood was also the resort of certain turners
of heads, who were called Paternoster makers.
Hence it may be presumed, originated the name
of Paternoster-row, Creed-lane, Amen-corner,
Ave &c. Caxton, however, our
first Printer, was certainly not a Member of
the above Association of Stationers, as most
of those who succeeded him were. The first
book he printed was in 1464 ; lie had a shop at
the Sun in Fleet-street, near upon the scite of
the respectable medical booksellers, Messrs.
Under woods."

With this extract we must conclude our notice
of this amusing volume, in which the author has
dons full justice to au tutcresting subject:

The French Papers of Sunday, and Brussels
Journals, have arrived since our last, from which
we give extracts in a preceding column.—Certain
intelligence has been received of the storming of
Tripolitza, the capital of the Morea, by the
Greeks, and the principal details are extracted
from a letter, dated Calamatta, Sept. 27. The
ability and bravery of the Greeks were as con-
spicuous in the attack, as their clemency and mo-
deration after victory reflect the highest honour
on them ; the latter forming a strong contrast to
the atrocities of their oppressors.—The French
Chamber of Deputies elected M. DE VILLELE one
of their Vice-Presidents in the Sitting of Satur-
day last.

As a lamentable proof that the outrageous
conduct of the Irish peasantry is far from being
subdued, the Government of Ireland have deemed
it necessary to issue Proclamations, declaring the
City and Liberties of Limerick, and in the
County of Cork, the Baronies of Duhallow,
Orrery, and Kilmore, to be in a state of dis-
turbance, and requiring additional Police. This
is a very judicious measure on the part of the
Irish Government, and if acted upon with vigour,
cannot but restore peace to the country.

We have again to lament the disturbances, i

we may style them by so gentle an appellation,
which continue to render Ireland a scene of agi-
tation and alarm. It is evident that some deep
plan is in view, and that the peasantry of parti-
cular districts have been instigated to their pre-
sent outrageous and atrocious proceedings by
some secret malcontents, more artful than them-
selves, and to whom those deluded peasantry act
as mere instruments. But whatever may be the
occult source of all this violence, robbery, and
massacre, matters have now proceeded to such
an extent as to call for a vigorous interposition
of the arm of Power. In hopes to hear that the
deluded wretches who have committed such
crimes had returned to peaceful habits, from a
conviction that their views must finally be dis-
appointed, we have, in pursuance of the declared
wishes of his MAJESTY, declined to insert

many very interesting communications. For
this reason we have withheld an admirable
letter, signed SYDNEY, and dated Cork, and the
liberal and judicious writer, we venture to hope,
will rather approve than condemn the grounds
of our delay. To-morrow, however, it shall cer-
tainly appear in our Paper, and we doubt not
that it will be read with attention by our Minis-
ters, as well as by the delegated Government of
our Sister Island.

[Extract of a Letter from Savannah, Sept. 15.1
" In consequence of the low price of grain the
Farmers of Canada, in the western district, are
turning their attention to the cultivation of To-
bacco; a sample has been.sent to Montreal, which
is said to be of an excellent quality. The soil and
climate of the River Thames, and on the northern
shores of Lake Erie, have been found to be well
adapted to the cultivation of this plant, and the
crops already planted have attained a luxuriant.
growth. Our city begins to have a more lively
appearance than it has hitherto done. Several
vessels have arrived from the North with a num-
ber of passengers ; business has not yet opened
for the season, as neither the crops of rice or
cotton have as yet come in."

A. letter from New York, of the 18th October,
states, that the state prison of Auburn was on
fire, which commenced in the workshops of the
criminals. No account of the damages can as
yet be ascertained.

[Extract of a Letter from tienliawa (America), Sept. 25.]
" On the 19th inst. four very.large skeletons
were found in a field, which had for twenty years
past been cultivated in corn ; they were depo-
sited in a mound, apparently very ancient. The
first was discovered by the owner of the field
having ploughed it up, which induced him to
make a further examination, when three others
were found ; the bones are perfectly sound, and
much larger than common, particularly the skulls,
which can be very easily slipped over the largest
man's head ; the upper jaw bone has one rcw of
double teeth only on the left side. It is lived
that the curiosity of the public may excite them

to examine the skeletons, dnd furnish some inte

resting speculations on the subject."
[Extract of a Letter from Boston, Oct. 22.]
" It is the intention of several of our Banks is
this town, to lend money at the rate of 5 pei
cent. interest. The measure will no doubt hay(
an important effect on the business of this city
While, in many other places, complaints are made
of the scarcity of money, which appears to be
plenty here, our monied men have for some timt
past discounted good notes and drafts at 5 per
cent."

FAILURE.—It was reported yesterday at a lat(
hour on 'Change, that an eminent Northern Bank.
in; House had stopped payment, and the report
prevailed more strongly this day.

THE KING.-Yesterday, a few m;nutes after
one o'clock, the KING left his Palace in Pall-
mall, for Brighton. His INIAJcsTY proceeded
through the Park, Pimlico, and Vauxhall-bridge,
iu his carriage and four.

BRIGHTON, Nov. 19.—Our Royal benefactor
and beloved SOVEREIGN will be here on the 20th,
to-morrow. There was another general meetiu4
of the inhabitants of the town, at the Old Ship,
at four o'clock this afternoon. Sir David Scott,
Bart. (in the absence, from indisposition, of the
High Constable) in the Chair. A report from
the Committee appointed to regulate the pro-
cession resolved on, to give a joyous character to
his Majesty's arrival, was n.ceived, which an-
nounced that a communication from Carlton
Palace had reached the Committee, declaratory
that his Majesty duly appreciated the prepara-
tions which were making on his account, but al
the precise time of his returning to the pavilio"
was uncertain, it might be early or late in the
day, or in the night ; and as at such a season
that so large a body of his subjects should un-
avoidably be exposed to the inclemency of the
weather for many hours, would he the reverse of
acceptable to him, his Majesty directed that such
part of their Royal design should be given up-
The illumination, from various objectional causes)
as before stated, is also to be dispensed with
principal speakers this afternoon were Sir
M. J. Tierney, Bart. Sir John Doyle, the Chief
of the Committee, and J. M. Cripps, Esq. The
meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the
Committee and the Chairman, Sir I). Scott. The
Address will be presented as soon as his Majesty
pleasure upon the subject is known, probably 03
Wednesday morning. One common expression
of grateful hearts and loyal unanimity here con-
stitute the order of the day. The greater part
of the royal domestic establishment arrived at
the Pavilion last night ; the House Steward, J.
Watier, Esq. came in this evening.

Last night's Gazette contains copies of the Ad'
dresses from the Courts of Aldermen and Com'
mon Council of the City of London, presented
last Friday at Carlton Palace ; and of his MAJ ES'
TVS gracious Answers.

The LORD CHANCELLOR has appointed WIL:.
Ll.tm ROBERTS, of Coleford, in the county °'
Gloucester, Gent., and JAMES Boon, of War
uninster, in the county of Wiltshire, Gent., to be.
Masters Extraordinary in the high Court 01
Chancery.

A letter from Venice, Oct. 30, says-----" Yes'
terday anchored in this port, a vessel in 12 day's
from Corfu, bringing as passengers the five indi-
viduals arrested some months since in Corfu, viz'
Count Anastasio Flamburiari Dinisio Flatohtv
Hari, his nephew ; Teodoro Sicuro; Stelio Str3,:
vopodi, and Giorgio Peta. Sir Thomas Maitlan
the day following his arrival at Corfu, ordered
Signor Krumm, the Inspector of Police, to com-
municate to each of them an order writteD
English, and which Krumm interpreted to theln
in Italian, by which they were commanded !it
quit the lonian Islands; and to live in exile tilt
the troubles in Greece should subside, and rtlct
misfortunes of that country settle into perie
tranquillity."
-
Letters we have seen from one of our r .--ion;vl5
at Malaga, state—" We have been a good tie,
threatened with the yellow fever, and I fear
are not yet quite clear of all apprehension; ',leo,
one-half of the population have already tie 4.,`q
' the country, and 1 also think of removing in
days with my family."—(Glasgora Paper.)
.Monday night was the first time of lighting la
James's Park generally, with gas, and it is bareo't
justice to say that the experiment exceeded Cori
.most sanguine expectations. The lamps 0,
placed closer together than those in the stree
and produce a most splendid effect.
REDUCTION OF TITHES.—The Rev. Dr.
ce
TON, Vicar of Bostall, in Yorkshire, has rev° ft'
his tithes ten per cent., and at the same tirl'eoi
berally promised, if the present depressed yet
of agriculture should continue, he will a'a
further reduction. 51
RIMSGATE, NOV. 19.—Yesterday, the 13,0
instant, the ship Hope, bound to Van Diettliio
Land, New South \l'al, with passenTffer'7ol
seized in this harbour by FREDERICK I'ET.I3I,
Esq. Comptroller of his Majesty's Cust°wsoci
Sandwich, for having on board a greater
of passengers than is ally' red by law. l'ul"
cumstance is hailed with peculiar pleasur°
every humane feeling as an event that
trust, lead to a discontinuance of such iroe:esl)/
—too often practised from mercenary mow hot
the promoters of emigration. Indeed it
we
c,,r
already the satisfaction of seeingROBERTIII,
METT, Esq., a gentleman high in office his3l'‘lol,
jesty's Customs in London, personally 'l4O
the most rigid investigation of this distru
Gaz-ette, Nov. 20.) loft
In New South Wales, peaches are so Plentitltr
that they are priacipally used as food for I'o
The
6
The Ladit's of th(, t:;wm:hip of Sandal, vft
Wakefield, .tered into a subscriPti
purchasing waym ...othing for the poor ° f
(10$
township, and have already distributed aoactl!;
tity of appropriate articles for the 813Pre
winter, to the most necessitous of their ueighD