The most important work of his later years was undoubtedly the splendid fount of 2-line English Roman, cut for Mr. Bensley, about the year 1789, for Macklin’s _Bible_.[667] As in the case of the Bezæ _Gospels_, he did not live to see the completion of his labours in the publication of this grand edition, which did not appear till some years after his death, and then in a type not wholly his own, but supplemented, in close facsimile, by a fount cut by his former apprentice and manager, Vincent Figgins.[668] Jackson’s grand letter is justly counted among his greatest achievements, exhibiting, as Nichols observes, a pattern of the most perfect symmetry to which the art had at that time arrived.”[669] A crowning monument to the skill of this excellent artist is Robert Bowyer’s sumptuous edition of Hume’s _History of England_, printed by Bensley[670] in 1806, in a Double Pica type, on which Jackson was engaged at the time of his death. On the execution of this fount he appears to have staked his reputation; “Mr. Jackson,“ says his biographer in the _Gentleman’s Magazine_,[671]” had been engaged to cut the letter for the projected edition of Hume’s _History of England_, which he declared should ‘be the most exquisite performance of the kind in this or any other country.’ And accordingly he had, in a great degree, accomplished his purpose, but his anxiety and application were so intense that his health suffered and he fell a victim to the great undertaking.” {324} This circumstance was made the occasion of a curious and affecting Elegy, of which we will venture to inflict a specimen on the reader, not on account of its merit, but as being a rare instance of a letter-founder becoming the object of a poetical tribute:― “Patrons of merit, heave the sadden’d sigh ! Ye brilliant dewdrops, hang on Beauty’s eye ! Let heavy hearts beat with the tolling bell, And mourn the fatal hour when _Jackson_ fell ! His were the gifts the Gods alone impart― A _tow’ring genius_ and a _tender heart_ ! A greatness equalled only by his skill― A goodness greater than his greatness still; An ardent zeal each purpose to _obtain_, Which Virtue and the Arts might entertain. But Fate in jealous fury snatched him hence The moment he accomplished excellence ! _Tenax propositi_—his art he tried, Achieved perfection—and achieving died !” etc.