The origin and progress of letters. An essay, in two parts. The first shewing when, and by whom letters were invented ; the formation of the alphabets of various nations : their manner of writing, on what materials, and with what instruments men have written in different ages to the present time wherein is considered the great utility of this art with regard to mankind The second part consists of a compendious account of the most celebrated English penmen, with the titles and characters of the books they have published. Both from the rolling and letter press interspersed with many interesting particulars by way of notes throughout the first part and the second is a new species of biography never attempted before in English the whole collected from undoubted authorities / by W. Massey.
- William Massey
- Date:
- 1763
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The origin and progress of letters. An essay, in two parts. The first shewing when, and by whom letters were invented ; the formation of the alphabets of various nations : their manner of writing, on what materials, and with what instruments men have written in different ages to the present time wherein is considered the great utility of this art with regard to mankind The second part consists of a compendious account of the most celebrated English penmen, with the titles and characters of the books they have published. Both from the rolling and letter press interspersed with many interesting particulars by way of notes throughout the first part and the second is a new species of biography never attempted before in English the whole collected from undoubted authorities / by W. Massey. Source: Wellcome Collection.
![. . [ i75 ] They who are further curious may fee vari¬ ous fpecimens of his penmajifhip at his acade¬ my aforefaid, and his elegantly engraved ad- vertifement annexed to this account, will in¬ form them what is taught in his fchool. We have another well qualified writing matter and accountant in London, of whom I would gladly have inferred fome memoirs* and have given the world an account of his eminent pieces of writing, and what he has publifhed from the rolliftg-prefs, if I could have come at any certain knowledge of them f I mean Mr. Benjamin Webb, a fchoolmafter in Bunhill-roWy but my folicitations for that pur- pofe have been fruitlefs, and as it is not my way to write from meer hear-fay and at all adventures, where I can be better informed, I can fay no more upon this fubjedt. FINIS. ERRATA to Part IL Page 9. 1. 9, for, A. D. 1703, r. about the year 173 3. Page 10.1. 18. for, in little Bartholomew-clofe, r. in Middle/ex-court» Bartholomewv-clo/e; 1. 19. for, eighteen, r. nineteen. Page 1l. 1. 15,. for Millet, r. Millie. Page 160. 1. 24. for, of teach t r. of to teach. Page 163. 1. 2. for, 1658, r. 1568. The Binder is defired to place the Print of the Papyrus facing the Title, and Mr. Gardnor’s Bill at the End of the Book.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30533016_0367.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)


