Note 297 — Chapter VII · THE STAR CHAMBER FOUNDERS, AND THE LONDON POLYGLOT.

Harl. Miscell., Lond., 1745, 4to, iii, 277. The full title and description of this curious tract is as follows:—“The London Printer, his Lamentation; or the Press oppressed, or over-pressed. September 1660. Quarto, containing 8 pages. In this sheet of Paper is contained, first, a short account of Printing in general, as its Usefulness, where and by whom invented; and then a Declaration of its Esteem and Promotion in England by the several Kings and Queens since its first Arrival in this Nation; together with the Methods taken by the Crown for its better Regulation and Government till the year 1640; when, says the Author, this Trade, Art and Mystery was prostituted to every vile Purpose both in Church and State; where he bitterly inveighs against Christopher Barker, John Bill, Thomas Newcomb, John Field and Henry Hills as Interlopers, and, under the King’s Patent, were the only instruments of inflaming the People against the King and his Friends, etc.”