“_Mr. Caslon_ is an artist to whom the Republic of Learning has great obligations; his ingenuity has left a fairer copy for my emulation than any other master. In his great variety of _Characters_ I intend not to follow him; the _Roman_ and _Italic_ are all I have hitherto attempted: if in these he has left room for improvement it is probably more owing to that variety which divided his attention, than to any other cause. I honour his merit and only wish to derive some small share of Reputation from an Art which proves accidentally to have been the object of our mutual pursuit. “After having spent many years, and not a little of my fortune, in my endeavours to advance this art; I must own it gives me great satisfaction to find that my edition of _Virgil_ has been so favorably received . . . “It is not my desire to print many books; but such only as are _books_ of _Consequence_, of _intrinsic merit_, or _established Reputation_, and which the public may be pleased to see in an elegant dress, and to purchase at such a price as will repay the extraordinary care and expence that must necessarily be bestowed upon them . . . If {276} this performance (_i.e._, the _Milton_) shall appear to persons of judgment and penetration in the _Paper_, _Letter_, _Ink_, and _Workmanship_ to excel, I hope their approbation may contribute to procure for me, what would indeed be the extent of my Ambition, a power to print an Octavo _Prayer Book_, and a FOLIO BIBLE.” Both these ambitions were in due time fulfilled. In 1758 Baskerville had applied for the post of Printer to the University of Cambridge, an office which he obtained, with permission to print the folio _Bible_, and two editions of the _Common Prayer_ in three sizes. This learned body, however, appear to have been influenced in the transaction more by a wish to fill their own coffers than by a desire to promote the interests of the Art; and the heavy premiums exacted from Baskerville for the privilege thus accorded effectually deprived him of any advantage whatever in the undertaking. He continued to hold this unsatisfactory office till 1766.