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In 1842 Dr. Edward Robinson edited a Greek Testament in which he follows the text and annotations of Professor Hahn. The book is a 12mo, issued by Leavitt & Trow, New York, other editions appearing in 1845.

In later years many editions of the Greek Testament have been issued by leading publishers in the United States, but it does not fall within the province of this book to speak of these recent volumes. Suffice it to say, that

fifty-two editions of the whole New Testament in Greek were printed during the first half of this century, some in Greek alone, some in both Greek and English, or Greek and Latin, besides several editions of parts of the New Testament. The first copy of the New Testament in modern Greek, printed in America, was published by the American Bible Society in 1833.

VARIOUS EDITIONS.

THE first proposal to print the Bible in English in America was made in 1688 by William Bradford of Philadelphia. The publication that announced this intention was worded as follows:

"These are to give Notice, that it is proposed for a large house-Bible to be Printed by way of Subscriptions, [a method usual in England for the Printing of large Volumns, because Printing is very chargeable] therefore to all that are willing to forward so good (and great) a Work, as the Printing of the holy Bible, are offered these Proposals, viz.: 1. That It shall be printed in a fair Character, on good Paper, and well bound. 2. That it shall contain the Old and New Testament, with the Apocraphy, and all to have useful Marginal Notes. 3. That it shall be allowed (to them that subscribe) for Twenty Shillings per Bible: [A Price which one of the same volumn in England would cost]. 4. That the pay shall be half Silver Money, and half Country Produce at Money price. One half down now, and the other half on the delivery of the Bibles. . . . Also, this may further give notice that Samuell Richardson and Samuell Carpenter

of Philadelphia, are appointed to take care and be assistant in the laying out of the Subscription Money, and to see that it be imploy'd to the use intended, and consequently that the whole Work be expedited. Which is promised by "WILLIAM Bradford.

"PHILADELPHIA, the 14th of

the 1st Month, 1688."

Although this early effort began and ended with the Proposal, Philadelphia has been for many years a centre of activity and enterprise in the publication of many important editions of the Bible.

After great persistence, Robert Aitken succeeded in publishing his Bible of 1782, the first bearing an American imprint. After his death in 1802, his business was continued by his daughter, Jane Aitken, who seems to have inherited the energy of her father. She sustained the printing art through a number of years, and with acknowledged success. Thomas says, "She obtained much reputation by the productions which issued from her press."

One of the most familiar names seen upon the title-pages of Philadelphia Bibles is that of

Matthew Carey. He published not only editions of the Bible after the Latin Vulgate, but many quarto and duodecimo Bibles according to the King James translation. In the early days of his publishing career his work was attended with numerous risks and responsibilities. In the Preface to his Bible of 1801, he says:

"I present this edition of the Bible to the public, with a degree of solicitude proportioned to the magnitude of the undertaking. Having embarked therein a large property, and devoted my utmost care and attention to it, from its commencement to its completion, I find it impossible to assume that degree of stoicism necessary to regard with indifference its reception by my fellow-citizens."

As the years rolled on his business prospered, and ultimately assumed extensive proportions. Bible after Bible issued from his presses, and many of the editions were embellished with engravings executed in the best style of the day.

Another name well known in the same locality was that of William Young. His first Bible was published in 1790 and was a 12mo in size. It was advertised as a school edition, and the

price was named as "five-eighths of a dollar." It had this imprint: "Printed by W. Young, Bookseller and Stationer, the corner of Second and Chestnut Streets." He published another edition of the Bible in 1791, and a third in 1792. Copies of the New Testament appeared from his press in 1791, 1792, 1802, and 1808.

Berriman & Co. were early publishers in Philadelphia. They issued a folio Bible in 1796. It was supplied with marginal references, and had a list of subscribers. It contained eighteen engravings. Some time later they published another folio, but no date was placed upon the title-page. The later book was without engravings.

The first hot-pressed edition of the Bible in America was published in 1798. It contained a patriotic device on the title-page, in which the Bible is encircled with fifteen stars, and supported by the American eagle. The imprint is as follows: "Printed for John Thompson and Abraham Small, from the Hot-press of John Thompson." This Bible follows the text of

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