Jones, Griffith

, who deserves a place in the catalogue of English writers for having first introduced the numerous and popular little books for the amusement and instruction of children, which have been received with universal approbation, was born in 1721, and served his apprenticeship to Mr. Bowyer, the learned printer. His education was probably not neglected, or at least it was very much improved by his own efforts. He was many years editor of the London Chronicle and Public Ledger. He was also associated with Dr. Johnson in the “Literary Magazine,” and with Smollett and Goldsmith in “The British Magazine,” and published a great number of translations from the French, to none of which, however, was his name prefixed. One little publication, entitled “Great events from little causes,” was his composition, and met with a rapid and extensive sale. In conjunction with Mr. John Newbery, and a brother of his own, Mr. Giles Jones, he wrote many of those little books or Lilliputian histories which were the delight of the youth of many yet living. Mr. Jones, who was a very amiable man, died Sept. 12, 1786. | Mr. Giles Jones, his brother (who was more than five-andforty years secretary to the Vork Buildings Water company) left a son,- Mr. Stephen Jones, who, among other literary productions, was editor of the last edition of the “Biographia Dramatica,” which was consigned to his care by the late Mr. Isaac Reed. ¹