I cannot admit the propriety of viewing Caxton as a mere printer. By continental writers he is more correctly appreciated. M. de la Serna calls him "homme de lettres, artiste renommé," etc.; and M. Suard observes, "dans presque tous les ouvrages imprimés par lui, il a inséré quelques lignes qui toujours attestent la pureté des intentions dont il était animé." The advocates of a _fictitious statue_ of Caxton have been apprized of my intention, and if certain estimable antiquaries should prove to be of the number, they must consider my opposition as the consequence of general principles. It should be the object of antiquaries to illustrate "the _history_ of former times"--as we read in a royal charter--not to substitute fiction for history. Now, it is admitted by MR. BOTFIELD that there is "no authentic portrait of Caxton." How then, he must allow me to ask, can it be assumed that the _picture by Maclise is truthful_? It may be much otherwise. Modern artists are no guides for antiquaries. It is with statues as it is with medals. The first and most obvious use of them, as Addison remarks of the latter objects, is "the showing us the _faces_" of eminent persons. Even Horace Walpole, who has misled so many with regard to Caxton, has expressed himself very forcibly on the value of _real_ portraits. If a statue fail in that particular, it is worthless; and should my own project find no favour with the public--a fountain by day--or, a light by night--or, an inscribed obelisk--or, even an inscribed tablet--would be far preferable as a monument. If the dean of St. Paul's should resolve to place in other hands the sum which has been collected for this purpose, he may justly insist on the proper application of it; and as the Society of Arts may be induced to take charge of it, I must remind them of the circumstance under which the subscriptions were formerly obtained. It was assumed that a likeness of Caxton had been preserved. I transcribe from _The Times_:-- "The meeting, [12 June, 1847] appeared to have been gratified with what they had seen and heard, and he [lord Morpeth] had only now to say to them, and to their fellow-countrymen in every part of the world, 'Subscribe.' (Applause.) "A miniature portrait of Caxton, painted upon enamel by Mr. Bone, was handed to lord Morpeth, who stated that it had been copied from a likeness of Caxton, in an old illuminated MS." His lordship was misinformed as to the authenticity of the portrait, it being copied from the Lambeth Ms.--but that circumstance does not affect the argument. It is manifest, therefore, that a _fictitious statue_ of Caxton, objectionable as it would be on other accounts, would also be very like a breach of faith with the original subscribers. BOLTON CORNEY. LADY FLORA HASTINGS' BEQUEST. (Vol. iii., pp. 443. 522.; Vol. iv., p. 44.)