The Pictorial Press: Its Origin and ProgressJackson, Mason
History
The Pictorial Press: Its Origin and Progress
Jackson, Mason
Illustration of books; Newspapers -- Illustrations
be the next he begins withall, which is granted, and tomorrow there
goeth to him 500 men, if not 5000, for whose safety and prosperity in
the meantime is the subject of our daily prayers that he may have as
good success as in all his other designs from the first till this time;
for no man was ever so beloved by his souldiers, that protest to follow
him while they can stand. We are in great hope he will recover the Newry
very shortly; it is credibly reported, that they got 20,000 pounds at
least in pillage at Dundalke.'
In another pamphlet, dated 1642, there is an account of a battle at
Kilrush, which is also illustrated with a woodcut. The circumstances are
related in detail, but they are sufficiently set forth in the title,
without further quotation:--'Captaine Yarner's Relation of the Battaile
fought at Kilrush upon the 15th day of Aprill, by my Lord of Ormond, who
with 2500 Foot and 500 Horse, overthrew the Lord Mountgarret's Army,
consisting of 8000 Foot and 400 Horse, all well armed, and the choyce of
eight Counties. Together with a Relation of the proceedings of our Army,
from the second to the later end of Aprill, 1642.'
[Illustration: BATTLE OF KILRUSH, 1642.]
Many other illustrated pamphlets relating to current events were
published at this time. It would appear that in 1641 there was a
visitation of the plague in London, and a tract of that date has
reference to it. It is entitled:--'_London's Lamentation, or a fit
admonishment for City and Country, wherein is described certain causes
of this affliction and visitation of the Plague, yeare 1641, which the
Lord hath been pleased to inflict upon us, and withall what means must
be used to the Lord, to gain his mercy and favour, with an excellent
spirituall medicine to be used for the preservative both of Body and
Soule._' The 'spiritual medicine' recommended is an earnest prayer to
heaven at morning and evening and a daily service to the Lord. The
writer endeavours to improve the occasion very much like a preacher in
the pulpit and continues his exhortation thus:--'Now seeing it is
apparent that sin is the cause of sicknesse: It may appear as plainly
that prayer must be the best means to procure health and safety, let not
our security and slothfulnesse give death opportunity, what man or woman
will not seem to start, at the signe of the red Crosse, as they passe
by to and fro in the streets? And yet being gone they think no more on
it. It may be, they will say, such a house is shut up, I saw the red
crosse on the doore; but look on thine own guilty conscience, and thou
shalt find thou hast a multitude of red crimson sinnes remaining in
thee.' I have copied the illustration to this tract, and it will be seen
that it is divided into two parts--one representing a funeral procession
advancing to where men are digging two graves--the other showing dead
bodies dragged away on hurdles. The first is labelled 'London's
Charity.' The second 'The Countrie's Crueltie.' This was perhaps
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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