By Clifford W. Holgate. 233 
This seems to me almost too large an undertaking, and I am 
decidedly of opinion that the bibliography of works upon the county, 
or connected with events in its history, should be kept distinct from 
one relating to works by Wiltshire men. It would be almost im- 
possible and undesirable, for instance, to include all the sermons and 
theological tracts by Wiltshire clergy published in the nineteenth 
century, though one would probably include visitation sermons and 
others on events of importance connected definitely with the county. 
I think, however, that biographies of prominent Wiltshire men, 
whose connection with the county has left its mark upon its history, 
should fitly be ineorporated—and also, all books printed in the 
county, for they illustrate one of the most interesting phases in the 
history of the printing press by the means of which our county 
records have largely been and are being still further preserved and 
rendered accessible. 
Tue Printinc Press 1n THE County or WILTs. 
The history of the printing press in the county as evidenced by 
the books, pamphlets and newspapers which have emanated from it, 
will fitly form a part, and one of the most interesting parts of a 
bibliography such as I have in mind. 
I should have liked, had I had the time, to have appended to this 
paper the titles of the earliest works which have issued from the 
local presses of Salisbury, Devizes, Marlborough, Trowbridge, &c. ; 
as it is I shall have to content myself with mentioning a few 
specimens of works printed locally which happen to have come to 
my notice. 
There was a press in Salisbury as early as 1715, in which year 
was published, on Saturday, September 27th, the first number of 
“© The Salisbury Postman or Packet of Intelligence from France, Spain, 
Portugal, Sc.,’ the publisher’s imprint being, “ Printed by Sam, 
Farley, at his office adjoyning to Mr. Robert Silcocks, on the Ditch in 
Sarum, anno 1715.” 
Editors have already about ten thousand separate titles, and that it is a serious 
question whether they will not have to neglect all irrelevant works say since 1750, 
t.e., all sermons by Essex men, or preached in Essex, that have no relevance to 
the county, and no historic interest. 
