細節
RICHARDSON, Samuel (1689-1761). Autograph letter signed ('S. Richardson'), to an unidentified clergyman [possibly Benjamin Kennicott (1718-1783)], London, 18 October 1754, 1¼ pages, 4to (inlaid).
As owner of a twelfth share in the History, Richardson has been drawn into a dispute between the propietors of the Universal History and one of their contributors, Revd John Swinton, objecting in particular to the length and disputations of his contribution, which included an attack on George Sale's Koran: 'Mr Swinton was not to write a dissertation on the Koran, or its Merits or Demerits; but the History of its Author.' As a contributor to the History, 'Mr Sale was not thought blameable by the Public; and his Name and Management gave reputation to the Work. What need of such Pains ... to decry both?... Surely the Proprietors of a very expensive Work, who run all the Risque, ought to be allowed to be Judges of what they pay for, and are to set their Names to.' Richardson goes on to complain of Swinton's behaviour in a private dispute, 'Was this worthy of the Gentleman and Scholar?' He himself has written no letters to Swinton. 'Just freed from a work which has cost me much Time and Trouble, I was desiring to take leave of the Pen ....'
Discussed by T.C.D. Eaves and B.D. Kimpel (Samuel Richardson, Oxford, 1971, p. 509) who identify the recipient of the letter as the biblical scholar, Benjamin Kennicott. John Dussinger notes that 'By 1754, at age sixty-five and in failing health, Richardson found holding a pen increasingly difficult' (ODNB). His patient attention to the task of writing such a detailed letter is therefore admirable. According to ODNB, John Swinton (1703-1777) made no contributions to the Universal History after 1750, so it appears that the proprietors ultimately dropped him.
As owner of a twelfth share in the History, Richardson has been drawn into a dispute between the propietors of the Universal History and one of their contributors, Revd John Swinton, objecting in particular to the length and disputations of his contribution, which included an attack on George Sale's Koran: 'Mr Swinton was not to write a dissertation on the Koran, or its Merits or Demerits; but the History of its Author.' As a contributor to the History, 'Mr Sale was not thought blameable by the Public; and his Name and Management gave reputation to the Work. What need of such Pains ... to decry both?... Surely the Proprietors of a very expensive Work, who run all the Risque, ought to be allowed to be Judges of what they pay for, and are to set their Names to.' Richardson goes on to complain of Swinton's behaviour in a private dispute, 'Was this worthy of the Gentleman and Scholar?' He himself has written no letters to Swinton. 'Just freed from a work which has cost me much Time and Trouble, I was desiring to take leave of the Pen ....'
Discussed by T.C.D. Eaves and B.D. Kimpel (Samuel Richardson, Oxford, 1971, p. 509) who identify the recipient of the letter as the biblical scholar, Benjamin Kennicott. John Dussinger notes that 'By 1754, at age sixty-five and in failing health, Richardson found holding a pen increasingly difficult' (ODNB). His patient attention to the task of writing such a detailed letter is therefore admirable. According to ODNB, John Swinton (1703-1777) made no contributions to the Universal History after 1750, so it appears that the proprietors ultimately dropped him.
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