112 



To the Editor of the Analyst. 



The following anecdote, connected in some degree with the 

 annals of Worcester, may not be inappropriate to the objects 

 embraced by your now publication. Should similar communica- 

 tions suit you, I shall be glad to make "The Analyst" the vehicle 

 of some biographical as well as bibliographical memoranda, 

 which I have transcribed into my common-place book. 



J. M. G. 



The father of Dr. Samuel Johnson, the celebrated Lexicographer, it is 

 well known, in early life, kept a book-stall in Lichfield, and attended on 

 market days, as was then customary, the neighbouring towns. There was, 

 a few years ago, a copy of one of his original Sale Catalogues, in the 

 possession of Thomas Fernyhough, Esq. of Peterborough, from which 

 the following Title of the Catalogue, and Mr. Johnson's address to his 

 customers are extracted : — 



•*A Catalogue of choice Books in all Faculties, Divinity, History, 

 Travels, Law, Physick, Mathematicks, Philosophy, Poetry, &c. ; together 

 with Bibles, Common Prayers, Shop Books, Pocket Books, &c. Also 

 fine French Prints for stair cases, and large Chimney Pieces, Maps, 

 large and small — To he Sold by Auction, or he who bids most, at the 

 Talbot, in Sidbury, Worcester y the sale to begin on Friday the 21st this 

 instant March, exactly at six o'clock in the afternoon, and continue till 

 all be sold. Catalogues are given out at the Place of Sale, or by Michael 

 Johnson, of Lichfield. The Conditions of Sale : — 



*' I. That he who bids most is the buyer, but if any difference arise 

 which the company cannot decide, the book or books to be put to sale 

 again. 



" II. That all the books, for ought we know, are perfect ; but if any 

 appear otherwise before taken away, the buyer to have the choice of 

 taking or leaving them. 



" III. That no person advance less than Qd. each bidding, after any 

 book comes to 10^. nor put in any book or set of books under half value. 



" *** Note. — Any gentleman that cannot attend may send his orders, 

 and they shall be faithfully executed. Printed for Mich. Johnson, 

 1/17-18. 



"To all Gentlemen, Ladies, and others, in and near Worcester. — I 

 have had several auctions in your neighbourhood, as Gloucester, Tewkes- 

 bury, Evesham, &c. with success, and am now to address myself, and try 

 my fortune with you. You must not wonder, that I begin every day's 

 sale with small and common books ; the reason is a room is some time a 

 filling, and persons of address and business, seldom coming fast, they 

 are entertainment till we are full ; they are never the last books of the 

 best kind of that sort, for ordinary families and young persons, &c. But 

 in the body of the catalogue you will find Law, Mathematicks, History : 

 and for the learned in Divinity, there are, Drs. South, Taylor, Tillotson, 

 Beveridge, and Flavel, &c. the best of that kind ; and to please the 

 Ladies, I have added store of fine pictures, and paper hangings ; and by 

 the way I would desire them to take notice that the pictures shall always 

 be put up by noon of that day they are to be sold, that they may be 

 viewed by day light. I have no more, but to wish you pleas'd, and 

 myself a good sjile, who am, 



** Your humble Servant, 



♦'M. JOHNSON.'' 



