The publications of Caxton are about sixty in number, and I am sure that more than six pages would seldom be required for any one work, and that many articles might be properly treated in less than two pages each. A short memoir of Caxton, a glossary of obsolete words and phrases, an appendix of documents, and an index, are the only additions which I should consider as essential to the completeness of the design. All this might be comprised in an octavo volume of moderate extent.
The Typographical antiquities of Ames, as augmented by Dibdin, being the accredited source of information on Caxton, and having misled some superior writers, I shall presume to deliver my opinion of the first volume of that work—not having much acquaintance with the subsequent volumes. Dibdin had formed, at the very outset, a most injudicious resolution. Caxton was his hero; and he resolved, as he tells us in his autobiography, to "devote the first volume entirely to the productions of his press." In order to carry out this plan, he was led to introduce much extraneous and useless matter. We have endless repetitions of what Lewis says, and what Ames says, and what Herbert says, and even what the dreamer Bagford says, instead of such information as should have been derived from an examination of the books themselves. Moreover, he is very deficient in the logic of history, in point of method, and in point of accuracy; and the extracts, being in modern orthography, are to philological students UTTERLY WORTHLESS.
This, and perhaps more than this, I may hereafter have occasion to prove; and should it seem to others that I express myself harshly, due consideration shall be given to their objections.
I must now assure MR. BOTFIELD that it gives me satisfaction to observe him somewhat disposed to view my project with favour, and that I am not less disposed to make such modifications of the conditions of publication as may meet the wishes of himself and the other contributors toward The Caxton Testimonial. Two modes of union suggest themselves, which I submit to his consideration in the form of queries.
1. If the preparation and impression of the intended volume should be undertaken by a certain literary society, honourably distinguished by the substantial character of the works which have been edited under its sanction, would the committee of The Caxton Testimonial engage to take a certain number of copies, in case the council of the society alluded to should assent to such a deviation from its usual course?
2. If this arrangement should be objected to on either side, would the committee of The Caxton Testimonial undertake to produce a literary memorial of Caxton on the plan before-described, or not much differing from it, and under the editorship of persons to be named by themselves?
If neither plan should be approved, I shall not abate one jot of hope as to the success of the project; but, by permission of the editor of "NOTES AND QUERIES," proceed with my humble contributions to The Caxton Coffer.
BOLTON CORNEY.
Might not the purpose be attained by the establishment of a club (on the same principles as the Bannatyne, Maitland, and Spalding Clubs), for the republication of the works of the first English printer? His works are of such excessive rarity that they are inaccessible even to the most devoted antiquary, and indeed many of them are scarcely known even by name. They are principally thin quartos, and the actual expense of reprinting them could not be heavy. The only trouble would be in collating them; and if the matter was once set on foot, we have many able typographical antiquaries who, I have no doubt, would assist in editing them. Such a plan appears preferable, because in making the Club open to any party who chose to pay the agreed-on subscription, it would thus become better known throughout the kingdom, and consequently stand a much better chance of support and, of course, success.
The great object of the memorial, in addition to a just recognition of the important services of Caxton, appears to be to revive his memory; and this end can only be effectually gained by a republication of his works, and the plan of a club appears to be the only way by which they can be extensively circulated.