56. The | Expedition | Of | Humphry Clinker. | By the Author of | Roderick Random. | In Three Volumes. | Vol. I. | [Quotation] London, | Printed for W. Johnston, in Ludgate-Street: | and B. Collins, in Saliſbury. | MDCLXXI.
Roderick Random, Smollett's first book, had appeared in 1748. The greater part of Humphry Clinker was written in the autumn of 1770, when its author was dying. He "had the satisfaction of seeing his masterpiece, but not of hearing the chorus of praise that greeted it."
Some copies of the first volume have, as in this instance, an error in the date, 1671 being printed for 1771.
Collins, as we have seen, was associated with Francis Newbery in the publication of The Vicar of Wakefield, and he was also associated with nephew and uncle in the sale of Dr. James's Fever Powder, and the manufacture of the celebrated Cordial Cephalic Snuff. We are fortunate in having his orderly and well-kept account books, in one of which is the following entry, worthy of a place here, and at length:
From B. Collins' Publishing Book.
Account Of Books Printed, And Shares Therein.
No. 3. 1770 To 1785.
Humphrey Clinker: A Novel, 3 vols. 12mo.
Of which I have one moiety, in partnership with Mr. William Johnston, London.
| Dr. | Cr. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| To Dr S. Mollet copy money | £210 0 0 | ||
| To Printing and Paper 2,000 No. | 155 15 6 | ||
| 9 Sets to the Hall and 10 to the Author | 6 1 10 | ||
| Advertisements | 15 10 0 __________ | ||
| £387 7 4 | |||
| To Balance for | By 2000 Books | ||
| Profit | 92 12 8 __________ | sold at £24 | |
| £480 0 0 | per 100 | £480 0 0 | |
| My Moiety of Profits, £46, 6s. 4d., for which I received Mr. Johnston's Note, Nov. 19, 1772. —B. C. | |||
Duodecimo.
Collation: Three volumes.