Transcriber's Note:
Apparent typographical errors have been corrected.
THE
OLD PRINTER
AND THE
MODERN PRESS.
By CHARLES KNIGHT
"Plus on lit, plus on lira; plus il faut,plus il faudra des livres."
Histoire des Françaisdes divers états.
LONDON:
   JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
   1854.
LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
   AND CHARING CROSS.
TO
CHARLES DICKENS,
ONE OF THE MOST EARNEST LABOURERS IN THAT POPULAR
   LITERATURE WHICH ELEVATES A PEOPLE,
THIS VOLUME
IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.
April 13th, 1854.
FOREWARD
In 1844 I wrote, and published in my seriesof 'The Weekly Volume,' William Caxton, a Biography.That little work sold as largely asany of the collection. It will not be reprinted, asI have cancelled the stereotype plates.
In the present work I have remodelled thatbiography; rendering it a more compact narrativeof the state of knowledge before the invention ofprinting, of the personal history of the man whobrought the invention to England, and of the natureof his efforts to diffuse information amongsthis countrymen. This account forms the First Partof this volume.
The Second Part embraces a very broad viewof the Progress of the Press to our own day,especially in relation to the important subject ofCheap Popular Literature.
In treating of the remarkable revolution of ourtimes in the prices of books, I cannot avoid incidentallynoticing some of my own labours in thatdirection. I have done so as slightly as possible;and, I trust, in the impartial spirit of an honestchronicler.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
Page
CHAPTER I.
The Weald of Kent—Caxton's School-days—French disused—English taught                   —Variations in English—Books before Printing—Libraries—Transcribers—                   Books for the Great—Book Trade—No Books for the People—Changes                   produced by Printing1
CHAPTER II.
The Mercer's Apprentice—His Book-knowledge—Commerce in Books—Schools                   in London—City Apprentices—City Pageants—Spread of English Language—                   English Writers—Chaucer—Gower—Lydgate—The Minstrels—National                   Literature19
CHAPTER III.
Caxton abroad—Caxton's mercantile pursuits—Restrictions on Trade—Caxton's                   Commission—Merchants' Marks—Beginnings of Printing—Playing                   Cards—Wood-engraving—Block-books—Moveable                   Types—Guttenberg—Guttenberg's Statue—Fest                        
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