earl Spencer, K.G. president."
[1] T. F. Dibdin, Reminiscences of a literary life. London, 1836. 8vo. i. 386.
[2] J. Martin, A catalogue of books privately printed. London, 1834. 8vo. p. 486.
The monument, as a piece of sculpture, is simplicity itself, and therefore suitable to the place of its destination. To the inscription I venture to make some slight objections: 1. Whether Caxton "introduced into Great Britain the art of printing" admits of a doubt. There is no evidence to invalidate the colophon of the Exposicio S. Jeronimi in simbolo Apostolorum.[3] Dibdin fully believed in its authenticity.[4] 2. Caxton is very imperfectly designated. He was a well-informed writer, a most assiduous translator, and a very careful editor. As early as 1548, he was classed among the Illustres majoris Britanniæ scriptores[5] — but we are on the decline, it seems, in point of tact and intelligence. 3. The date of his decease, and the place of his burial, should have been stated. The facts are recorded in the accounts of the churchwardens of this very parish, and nowhere else.[6] 4. The inscription, as a composition, wants terseness: on this point, I content myself with giving a hint typographically.
[3] S. W. Singer, Some account of the book printed at Oxford in 1468. London, 1812. 8vo. p. 44.
[4] Typographical antiquities, by Joseph Ames, etc. London, 1810. 4to. Life of Caxton, p. 75.
[5] Illvstrivm maíoris Britanniae scriptorvm summari[=u] avtore Ioanne Balaeo. Gippeswici, 1548. 4to. fol. 208.
[6] John Nichols, Illustrations of the manners and expences of ancient times. London, 1797. 4to. p. 3.
In 1847 a fresh attempt as made to revive the memory of Caxton. After due notice, a public meeting was held on the 12th of June to "promote the erection of a monument to commemorate the introduction of printing into England, and in honour of William Caxton, the earliest English printer"—the lord Morpeth in the chair. The meeting was extremely well attended. The form of monument proposed was, the combination of a fountain by day and a light by night—the poetical conception of the rev. H. H. Milman. Some excellent speeches were made—and I cannot but particularize that of the noble chairman; considerable sums were subscribed—the messieurs Clowes tendering 100l.; a committee, a sub-committee, a treasurer, and a secretary, were appointed.[7] —With the proceedings of that meeting, as publicly reported, my information terminated.
[7] The Times, June 14, 1847.