THE CAXTON COFFER.
"Sans titres on fait des romans; pour écrire l'histoire il faut des preuves authentiques, des monumens certains."—J. J. Oberlin, Annales de la vie de Jean Gutenberg.
Gratified by the approbation with which my suggestion of a Caxton memorial has been received, both publicly and privately, and acquiring fresh confidence in its success, it is my intention to make a second appeal to the lovers of literature when the excitement of the present year shall have passed away, and home-subjects shall re-assume their wonted powers of attraction.
In the mean time, I recommend an assemblage of notes on the life and works of Caxton, designed to correct current errors; to expose baseless conjectures; to indicate probable sources of information, or to furnish such novel information as research may produce; and to assist in establishing the principles on which such a memorial as that suggested should be prepared and edited.
In justification of this advice, I must express my belief that there have been few men of celebrity on whose life and labours so many erroneous statements, and inadmissible conjectures, have been published in works of general repute.
Requesting the favour of contributions to The Caxton coffer from such persons as may take an interest in the success of the enterprise, I now proceed to set an example:—
"I have a great number of books printed by Caxton, and in very good condition, except a very few. I think the number is forty-two. Have you any notes relating to that good honest man? I think he deserves those titles, and if I may add industrious too."—Edward, earl of Oxford, to Thomas Hearne, 1731.
"In Osborne's shop-catalogue for 1749, No. 5954, occurs the 'Catalogue of the late E. of Oxford's library, as it was purchased, (being the original) inlaid with royal paper, in 16 vols. 4to. with the prices prefixed to each book—pr. 10. 10. 0.—N.B. There never was any other copy of this catalogue with the prices added to it.'—The same article, at the same price, is repeated in his cat. for 1750, No. 6583, and for 1751, No. 6347—after which, being discontinued in his subsequent cats. it was probably sold. Quy. to whom and where is it now?"—Richard Heber, c. 1811.
The first of the above notes is copied from Letters written by eminent persons, London [Oxford], 1813. 8o. The second note, which concludes with a query, forms part of some manuscript memoranda, now in my possession, on the matchless library to which it refers.
BOLTON CORNEY.