“I shall have _Virgil_ out of the press by the latter end of January, and hope to produce the Volume as smooth as the best paper I have sent you. Pray, will it not be proper to advertize how near it is finishing, and beg the gentlemen who intend favouring me with their names, to send them by that time? When this is done, I can print nothing at home but another Classick (a specimen of which will be given with it) which I cannot forbear thinking a grievous hardship after the infinite pains and great expense I have been at. I have almost a mind to print a pocket Classick in one size larger than the old Elzevirs, as the difference will, on comparison, be obvious to every Scholar; nor should I be very sollicitous whether it paid me or not.” _R. Dodsley to Baskerville._ 10th February 1757. “The account you give me of the _Virgil_ pleases me much, and I hope you will in that have all the success your heart can wish. I beg if you have any objection, addition or alteration to make in the following Advertisement you will let me know by return of post:― {272} “ ‘TO THE PUBLIC. “ ‘John Baskerville of Birmingham thinks proper to give notice that having now finished his Edition of _Virgil_ in one Volume, Quarto, it will be published the latter end of next month, price one guinea in sheets. He therefore desires that such gentlemen who intend to favour him with their names, will be pleased to send them either to himself at Birmingham, or to R. and J. Dodsley in Pall Mall, in order that they may be inserted in the list of his encouragers.’ ” _R. Dodsley to Baskerville._ April 7, 1757.