_A Tombstone cut by Baskerville_ (Vol. v., p. 209.).--A correspondent
complains that on visiting Edgbaston Church he was unable to obtain a sight
of the tombstone, which he much wished to see. Since I read his Note, I
have met with the following, which I copy from Pye's _Modern Birmingham_,
1819. After speaking of a monument in Handsworth Church, Birmingham, to the
late Matthew Boulton, the writer proceeds:
"The other is a humble tombstone, remarkable as being one of the last
works cut by his own hand, with his name at the top of it, of that
celebrated typographer, Baskerville; but this, being neglected by the
relations of the deceased, has been mutilated, although the inscription
is still perfect, but so much overgrown with moss and weeds, that it
requires more discrimination than falls to the lot of many passing
travellers, to discover the situation of this neglected gem. To those
who are curious it will be found close to the wall, immediately under
the chancel window. This precious relic of that eminent man is
deserving of being removed at the expense of the parish, and preserved
with the greatest care, withinside the church.... There is only one
other of his cuttings known to be in existence, and that has lately
been removed and placed withinside the church at Edgbaston--"
Which is subsequently thus described:
"There was in this churchyard a gravestone cut by the hands of the
celebrated typographer Baskerville, which is now removed and placed
withinside the church. The stone being of a flaky nature, the
inscription is not quite perfect, but whoever takes delight in
well-formed letters, may here be highly gratified; it was erected to
the memory of Edw. Richards, an idiot, who died 21st September, 1728,
with the following inscription:--
'If innocents are the favourites of heaven,
And God but little asks where little's given,
My great Creator has for me in store
Eternal joys; what wise man can have more?'"
I am sorry I cannot just now give any further information, but hope this
Note will be new to some of your readers, and interesting to all.