Much blame and even contempt was bestowed at the time on the bad taste and unpatriotic spirit of the English nation in thus allowing the materials of this famous press to go out of the country.[581] _De gustibus non est disputandum._ Deprived of the master-hand of their designer, the types which startled the world into admiration in the _Virgil_ of 1757, had lost their magic by 1779; and it seems hardly reasonable to blame the printers of this country for preferring the sterling types of Caslon and Jackson, in which works as beautiful were being produced, and by far simpler methods than those employed by the Birmingham genius. Nor does it appear that after the purchase by the French there was any general feeling of regret in this country at the opportunity missed. It is, however, a fact that for some important works produced towards the close of the century—particularly those of Bulmer’s press—it was considered an advantage to secure the services of artists of the Birmingham school, both in the formation of the types and the execution of the press-work. As the pioneer of fine printing in England, Baskerville deserves, and will receive the grateful approbation of all lovers of the art. But it would be idle to say that he was not speedily matched and even surpassed by the performance of others, or that his types, had they remained in this country, would have been more valuable on account of their intrinsic excellence than of their historical interest. That the French were well satisfied with their bargain, may be gathered from the following letter quoted by Nichols, dated Paris, August 8th, 1780:― “The English language and learning are so cultivated in France, and so eagerly learned, that the best Authors of Great Britain are now reprinting in this Metropolis: Shakespeare, Addison, Pope, Johnson, Hume, and Robertson, are to be published here very soon. Baskerville’s types, which were bought it seems for a trifle, to the eternal disgrace of Englishmen, are to be made use of for the purpose of propagating the English Language in this country.”[582] {285} Nichols himself adds, after deploring the comparative failure of Baskerville, to receive appreciation in his native land: “We must admire, if we do not imitate the taste and economy of the French nation, who, brought by the British arms in 1762 to the verge of ruin, rising above distress, were able, in seventeen years, to purchase Baskerville’s elegant types, refused by his own country, and to expend an hundred thousand pounds in poisoning the principles of mankind by printing the _Works of Voltaire_.” This great work, for the express purpose of printing which Baskerville’s types were procured, was thus announced to the English public in 1782[583]:― “A complete edition of the _Works of Voltaire_, printed by subscription, with the types of Baskerville.