I have spoken of J. Skinner as a Bath engraver, but the reader will observe that none of the book-owners, whose book-plates by him I have as yet named, are specially connected with Bath, and on none has the engraver mentioned it as his place of residence; but insomuch as then--in the palmy days of the reign of King Nash--all roads led to Bath, it is probable that, at the fashionable season, the Cumberland baronet, as well as the Essex and Warwickshire squires, found his way thither, and followed the fashion by having a book-plate engraved, just as he would follow it, during his sojourn in the ancient city, by squandering his time and injuring his digestion with late hours and a surfeit of generally unwholesome gaiety. The next dated book-plate by Skinner bears this out; on this, engraved in 1739, he gives Bath as his place of abode; but this book-plate is that of Francis Massy of Rixton, Lancashire; it is similar in design to the Carington just mentioned and figured. But earlier in style than any of Skinner's work yet mentioned is the book-plate of 'William Hillary, M.D.,' dated in 1743; here the mantling descends nearly to the base of the shield, quite in the 'Armorial' style. This seems to be his latest work in early fashion. In 1741 he had designed a book-plate for 'John William Fuhr,' in which there are clear indications of Chippendale ornamentation. This is indeed a transitional book-plate; it has a Jacobean shield, which the artist has adorned with Chippendale ornament; the tinctures are only partially expressed and the shield remains symmetrical, though the floral sprays and shell-work give it, at first sight, the appearance of not being so. Identical, almost, with this book-plate is that done by Skinner for 'Henry Pennant,' and dated in 1742; and like it, but weaker, is that of 'Tho^{s.} Haviland, Bath,' dated in the same year. [Illustration]