ous knowledge among the Germans in Pennsylvania." A German paper had been printed quarterly in the year 1739, at Germantown, seven miles from Philadelphia, by C. Sower, who cast his own types, and made his own ink. It was afterwards printed monthly, and in 1744, every week, under the title of "The Germantown Gazette, by C. Sower, jun." until some time in the revolutionary war.

The "Pennsylvania Packet, or General Advertiser," was first printed weekly by John Dunlap in 1771, and continued at Lancaster from 1778 to 1779, while the British had possession of Philadelphia: on the evacuation of the city, it was published twice a week; in the year 1784, in conjunction with David C. Claypoole, who had served his time with Mr. Dunlap, it was printed daily; this was the first daily paper printed in the United States. In 1801, the paper was sold to Zachariah Poulson, who continues it to this day, under a very respectable patronage,the title is "The American Daily Advertiser."

At present there are printed in Philadelphia, eight daily papers,―viz.

Morning.

Poulson's American Daily Advertiser,

1784

Duane

Binns

Conrad Gentler,

Ameritanischer Beobachter..

John Geyer,
German.

Repertory

* Helmbold

Aurora.

Tickler-occasionally.

It has been ascertained that 19,298 impressions of the above papers are distributed every week.f It may be useful to notice the other periodical and literary works, published in former times in Philadelphia.

In 1741, Franklin attempted "the General Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, in 12 mo. price 12s. per annum," but continued it only six months.

A. Bradford printed in 1741 for the editor and proprietor, John Webbe, "The American Magazine, in 8vo." two numbers of which only appeared. In 1757, William Bradford, printed "The American Magazine, or Monthly Chronicle," for the British colonies; By a society of gentlemen. Three numbers only were printed.

In 1769, Lewis Nichola, published “The American Magazine," each number containing 48 pages. It ended with the year. "The Penny Post," by Potts, succeeded for a few months.

In 1771, John M'Gibbons published a few numbers of "The Royal Spiritual Magazine.'

In 1775, the late Robert Aitken published "The Pennsylvania Magazine, or American Monthly Museum," the editor of which was THOMAS PAINE. It was well conducted, and may be read at the present day with entertainment and profit. It began in January 1775, and closed in July 1776.

* Thomas enumerates 71 papers in the state of Pennsylvania. † Robinson's Directory.

In the year 1779, Francis Bailey, printed nine numbers of the United States Magazine."

In the year 1786, the "Columbian Magazine" was began by Mathew Carey, Charles Cist and William Spottswood. It was published monthly, for about eight years. Shortly after its commencement, the sole proprietorship devolved upon William Spottswood, who, after the lapse of about three years, sold it to Mr. William Young, who finally discontinued it in 1793. Considering the situation of the country at the time, this work was respectably conducted.

In January 1787, Mathew Carey commenced the publication of the American Museum, which was intended to combine the plan of a common miscel laneous magazine, and historical chronicle, or register of the times. It was ably conducted, and it is sincerely to be regretted that want of encouragement obliged the editor and proprietor to relinquish his useful labours. Twelve volumes in a regular series were published. A thirteenth volume was published in 1798. Every public library in the United States, ought to possess a copy of this work.

Previously to the establishment of the federal go vernment, the book trade was of small account; some foreign works of merit were however pub lished. But at the æra mentioned, the business partook of that increased life and vigour, which the new state of public affairs universally diffused. Since that time, the increase of printing, and of the arts connected therewith, have been very rapid in Philadelphia.

In 1786, four book-sellers thought an edition of the New Testament, for schools, a work of risque, requiring much consultation previously to the determination of the measure: yet such was the rapid. progress of things, that in 1790, one of the book

H

sellers above referred to, thought it safe to risque the publication of the ENCYCLOPEDIA, in eighteen quarto volumes, and even promised that it should be improved. When the first half volume was published, in 1790, he had but 246 subscribers, and could only procure two or three engravers. One thousand copies of the first volume were printed: two thousand of the second; and when he had completed the eighth, the subscription extended so far as to render it necessary to reprint the first. He then found difficulty in procuring printers for the work.*

In 1792, Ebenezer Hazard Esq. published a quarto volume of "Historical collections," intended as materials for a history of the United States, and another in 1794. These collections were the result of much assiduous application, and made under the patronage of Congress, whose recommendation procured him access to the records of the state legisla

tures.

The quarto Bible, set up by Mathew Carey, in Philadelphia, was the first standing Bible, of that size, in the world, and is even now, the only one of separate types. These were cast by Binney and Ronaldson, of Philadelphia. Printing is now executed in a style equal to that of any country in Europe; and some specimens of truly superb work, as Barlow's Columbiad, and Willson's Ornithology, have been sent forth. The plates in Bradford and Inskeep's edition of Ree's Cyclopædia, now in progress, are much superior to those in the original English work; and the printing, fully equal thereto.

The number of volumes printed in Philadelphia, annually, are calculated at 500,000.* There are fiftyone printing offices, which have 153 presses.t

*Hopkinson's oration before the Academy of Fine Arts. November, 1810. p. 19. tRobinson's Directory, for 1811.

There are upwards of sixty engravers in Philadelphia, and twenty more would find constant employ. The improvement of the art has been very considerable, within a few years past.

Periodical Publications.

The following periodical works are at present published in Philadelphia.

Monthly.

1. The Port Folio, by Joseph Dennie: a miscellaneous work. It was at first a weekly sheet, and commenced in 1801. Bradford and Inskeep. Price $6. 2. Mirror of Taste and Dramatic Censor. T. B. Zantzinger, & Co. Price $8.

3. Select Reviews and Spirit of the Magazines. By E. Bronson, and others, 1809. Earl. Price $5.

Quarterly.

4. Medical Museum. By J. R. Coxe, M. D.Humphreys. 7 vols. Price $2.

5. Eclectic Repertory, and Analytical Review, Medical and Philosophical; by a society of Physicians, 1810. Earl. Price $3.

6. Archives of Useful Knowledge. Devoted to commerce, manufactures, rural and domestic economy, agriculture, and the useful arts. By James Mease, M. D.-Hogan. Price $2.

7. American Review of history, politics, and ge. neral repository of literature and state papers. By Robert Walsh, jun.-Farrand and Nicholls. Price $6.