SAMUEL RICHARDSON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1941, Page 7

SAMUEL RICHARDSON

WRITER OF LETTERS & BOOKS. An odd boy was Samuel. Born somewhere in Derbyshire in the 17th century, he was intended for the church, but losses cf money compelled his father to put him to a trade. Caring little for boyish games, lie told stories to amuse his playfellows, one cf which was the history of a fine young- lady who preferred a virtuous servant man to a libertine lord. Before he was 11 he wrote an admonitory letter to a sanctimonious widow of near fifty, proving by a collection of texts the wickedness of scandal. He became a favourite with young women, read to them while tliey were sewing, and was employed.by three of them independently to compose loveletters. Apprenticed to a stationer, he served an exacting master faithfully, and later set ui) in business for himself in Salisbury Court. London. He printed the "Daily Journal," and at the request of two booksellers he wrote a series of familiar letters as patterns for illiterate country writers, in this way composing his book. Pamela. which was a surprising success. Translated into French and Dutch, it was recommended from the pulpit; one writer placed it next to the Bible; and ladies at Ranelagh held it up to their friends to show that they were not behind hand in the study. His next novel. Clarissa Harlow, won him .a European reputation. In 1755 ho pulled down his house in Salisbury Court, purchased eight hous|os. and built a new printing house I and a new residence: everyone except his wife being pleased with the new 1 premises. i He died in 1761 and was burled in ; St. Bride's Church.