Osbaldwick, near York.
[Footnote 7: The specimens forwarded by MR. PUMPHREY are most
satisfactory.--ED.]
* * * * *
Replies to Minor Queries.
_Baskerville the Printer_ (Vol. viii., p. 203.).--In reply to MR. ELLIOTT'S
inquiry, I beg to say that Baskerville the printer was merely named as one
who had directed his interment in unconsecrated ground. The exact place of
his burial was not deemed a point of importance, but it having been
questioned, I am able to state that the spot was correctly described by me.
Nichols, in his _Literary Anecdotes_ (vol. viii. p. 456.), tells us that
"Baskerville was buried in a tomb of masonry, in the shape of a cone,
_under a windmill_ in his garden; on the top of this windmill, after it
fell into disuse, he had erected an urn, and had prepared an inscription,"
of which MR. ELLIOTT has given a portion.
In his will, dated January 6, 1773, he directs his body "to be buried in a
conical building heretofore used as a _mill_, which I have lately raised
higher, and painted and prepared for it." It seems somewhat surprising that
one, who shocked even John Wilkes as "a terrible infidel," should have
printed a most beautiful folio Bible, at an expense of 2000l., and three or
more editions of the Book of Common Prayer. Still more, in 1762, he tells
Walpole that he had a grant from the University of Cambridge to print their
8vo. and 12mo. Common Prayer Books, and that for this privilege he laboured
under heavy liabilities to the University. Baskerville doubtless regarded
these books with a tradesman's eye, indifferent to the subjects of the
works issued from his press, provided they sold. It would, however, be very
unjust to this admirable printer to name him without praise for the
distinguished beauty of his typography: it was clear and elegant, and he
{350} was most curious in the choice both of his paper and ink.