Life of Johnson Volume V Part 71

[1251] This is a work written by William Durand, Bishop of Mende, and printed on vellum, in folio, by Fust and Schoeffer, in Mentz, 1459. It is the third book that is known to be printed with a date. DUPPA. It is perhaps the first book with a date printed in movable metal type.

_Brunei_, ed. 1861, ii. 904. See _ante_, ii. 397.

[1252] Dr. Johnson, in another column of his _Diary_, has put down, in a note, 'First printed book in Greek, Lascaris's _Grammar_, 4to, Mediolani, 1476.' The imprint of this book is, _Mediolani Impressum per Magistrum Dionysium Paravisinum_. M.CCCC.LXXVI. Die x.x.x Januarii. The first book printed in the English language was the _Historyes of Troye_, printed in 1471. DUPPA. A copy of the _Historyes of Troy_ is exhibited in the Bodleian Library with the following superscription:--'Lefevre's _Recuyell of the historyes of Troye_. The first book printed in the English language. Issued by Caxton at Bruges about 1474.'

[1253] _The Battle of the Frogs and Mice_. The first edition was printed by Laonicus Cretensis, 1486. DUPPA.

[1254] Mr. Coulson was a Senior Fellow of University College. Lord Stowell informed me that he was very eccentric. He would on a fine day hang out of the college windows his various pieces of apparel to air, which used to be universally answered by the young men hanging out from all the other windows, quilts, carpets, rags, and every kind of trash, and this was called an _illumination_. His notions of the eminence and importance of his academic situation were so peculiar, that, when he afterwards accepted a college living, he expressed to Lord Stowell his doubts whether, after living so long in the _great world_, he might not grow weary of the comparative retirement of a country parish. CROKER.

See _ante_, ii. 382, note.

[1255] Dr. Robert Vansittart, Fellow of All Souls, and Regius Professor of Law. DUPPA. Johnson wrote to Mrs. Thrale on Nov. 3, 1773:--'Poor V------! There are not so many reasons as he thinks why he should envy me, but there are some; he wants what I have, a kind and careful mistress; and wants likewise what I shall want at my return. He is a good man, and when his mind is composed a man of parts.' _Piozzi Letters_, i. 197. See _ante_, i. 348.

[1256] See _ante_, ii. 285, note 3.

THE END OF THE FIFTH VOLUME.