The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-04-18
rANGERoUs SPIRIT OF THE BLACKS.
PRINTING.
Its origin and Originator.
Baltimore Snn.l

William Caxton an English merchant
born in Kent about 1412, was the first to
introduce printing into England He
translated from the French History of
Troy" which he printed probably in 1471,
but perhaps earlier. This is said to be the
first book ever printed in the English
language. Previously to this time Tin 1464)
he had been employed to negotiate treaty
of commerce between Edward w.,
of England. and the duke of Burgundy.
After he had resided for some time at the
court of the duchess of Burgundy he
removed to England and established a
printing Office in Westminster in 1916, where
he printed several other books. The exact
period of the commencement of his labors
has been, however, a matter of controversy.
1t is claimed that the first book printed with
a date in England appeared in 147I. A
meeting was lately held in London, embrac-
ing distinguished noblemen, divines, phil
osophers, printers and type-founders, for the
purpose of perfecting measures for the APP
propriate celebration of the fact that four
hundred years ago William Caxton set up
his rude printing press in the Almony of
Westminster Abbey. The exact date is not
perhaps important There are mysteries
connected with the early history of printing
in England which we can not pretend to
solve. For example, there is a copy of the
Old and New Testaments in the possession
of Virginia family which bears date only
three years later than the discovery of Amer
lea by Columbus, and which is much older
than is assigned to any translation of the
whole Bible In England by any authority
we have seen. The notes and commenta-
ries on this book are from a Protestant
source, and learned historian and an able
theologian, who have examined the book,
do not know what to make of the date. In
one respect this translation seems more def
mite than our present English translation,
as, for example, where it renders the phrase
of repentance as employed by John the Bar
fist, amendment of life" This is simply
an illustration of the doubt about dates
which may reasonably exist as to the tirst
books printed in England.
There can be no dispute, however, that of
the numerous persons who have been use
fully identified with the typographical art,
no one has ever deserved more renown than
Will am Caxton. As is well known, print
ing with movable types was the invention
of Gutenberg, about 1896. Books printed
before this time were all of the class called
block books, printed from engraved plates
of wood or metal Gutenberg and his asso-
ciates had printing press, with other essen
tial apparatus for practicing the new art, as
early as 1888 but it is not known that any
books were printed until after the f0rma-
ton of his partnership with Faust and
Schaffer at Mentz, Germany, in 1450. Faust
was rich goldsmith of Mentz, who shares
with Gutenberg and Schaffer, his SON.
in-law, the honor of establishing the
art of printing. He was Gut
tenberg's partner in the new business of
printing books, though it is thought that
Faust did nothing but furnish capital.
Schaffer was the inventor of the punch used
by type founders. They carried on the bust
ness successfully until 1852, when, at the
sack of Mentz, the workmen were scattered
and the art of printing was no longer
secret The art must have spread slowly, as
will be seen by the fact that twenty years
must have elapsed from the time printing
was established at Mentz before William
Caxton commenced the publication of books
in England. Still it must be remembered
that at that time the number of readers in
England was lamentably small, and confined
mainly to the members of the learned pro-
LESSONS and of noble families. England
held a much lower rank in the scale
of general intelligence than Holland, many
parts of Germany, Italy, France or Spain.
1t W as estimated, even three centuries later,
that England did not contain more than
$4,000 persons who we're in the habit OF
reading for entertainment and instruction.
Caxton had not only great difficulties to
contend with in the ignorance of his times,
but in mechanical aid. he had to be his
own author or editor, as well as his own
typc-lOunutr, pIiutcI anu DOoh-ochct. IL
ali these iabors he displayed marked de-
gree of skill and energy. He brought to his
work a combination of commercial, me-
chanical and literary talents such rs is rare
ly devoted by single person to any pur-
suit. He performed his novel labors not as
fitful speculation, but lifelong task.
His memory deserves the honor which Eng
lishmen propose in the celebration of 1877.
and Americans might appropriately unite
in that Celebration. The celebration is 70
take the form of the organization of a loan
collection Of the works of Caxton, and all
other antiquities and accessories of printing,
and the exhibition Is to include appliances
of the art of engraving, letter founding.
electrotyping. stereotyping, TYPOGRAPHY,
photography and paper making. One of the
speakers at the meeting in London was the
Earl Stsnhope. greatgrandson of the no
| bleman who invented the first iron printing
press, nearly 100 years ago.
The glory of the art of printing belongs