RICHARDSON.

SAMUEL RICHARDSON, a printer and an ingenious writer, was born in Derbyshire, in 1689. His education was confined; and in 1706 he was bound apprentice to Mr. Wilde of Stationers' Hall; and after the expiration of his time, he worked as compositor and correcter of the press for some years. At length he established himself in Fleet-street. He soon became eminent in his profession; and by the interest of Mr. Onslow, speaker of the House of Commons, obtained the printing of the journals of that House. In 1740 he published his Pamela, a novel, which met with an uncommon reception. His next performance was Clarissa Harlowe, which is considered his master-piece. This was followed by his novel of Sir Charles Grandison, a work which possesses great beauties. In 1754 he was chosen master of the stationer's company; and a few years afterwards he purchased a moiety of the patent of law printer to the king. Besides the works we have specified, Mr. Richardson published a volume of familiar. letters, with other productions of a moral tendency. He died in 1761.

It is pretended that Richardson lived for a long time in the world as if he had lived in solitude, during which period he was employed in observing mankind, and in laying the foundation of those admirable compositions which have recommended him to posterity. He was born with all the necessary qualities to delineate the progress of the passions, and to penetrate into the secret recesses of the human mind. To the faculty of an observer, he united in an eminent degree, the merit of a painter; no one has exceeded him in the art of composition, and in the charm of colouring: he has therefore been placed on the first rauk among the novelists who have promoted the cause of virtue and morality. His performances in foreign countries, have been either extravagantly admired, or unjustly criticised.