Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 96, August 30, 1851: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
History
Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 96, August 30, 1851: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
I have just read with great pleasure the article on "A Caxton Memorial
suggested" in your Number for the 19th of July. I was particularly
pleased with the "_proposed conditions_;" and as an humble follower of
the art of which Caxton stands at the head, and as an enthusiastic
admirer of that great and talented, and learned printer, I should feel
great pleasure in becoming a subscriber, should anything of the kind be
undertaken; and have no doubt but that many,--aye, as many as might be
required to complete the subscription list, might be found among the
printers of this country, who would feel proud to subscribe to such a
"Memorial." If anything of the kind should be undertaken, the projectors
might depend upon me becoming a subscriber.
HENRY RYLETT, Printer.
Horncastle, Aug. 18. 1851.
The following letter, on the other hand, from a correspondent
whose smallest suggestion deserves, as it will be sure to receive,
the respectful attention of all who have the pleasure of knowing
his high personal character and great acquirements, although
pointing at what might be a fitting Memorial of one of the
greatest of the Worthies of Westminster, clearly indicates that if
MR. CORNEY'S scheme can be carried out it will have the benefit of
the writer's encouragement and support:
MR. BOLTON CORNEY'S letter is entitled to much attention. It is
satisfactory to learn that the original design has been abandoned. The
fountain and the illumination might be a very pretty idea, but it would
have sorely puzzled some of our countrymen to connect that memorial in
their minds with the name and services of the first English printer.
Might not the funds that were raised be advantageously employed in
founding a Caxton scholarship at Westminster School; or in the building
or enlarging some school bearing Caxton's name, connected with
Westminster? The spiritual wants of that city are great.
If the statue be raised, which should not present a _bonâ fide_
resemblance to our celebrated printer, it would be worse than
valueless--something like an imposture and it would have as little
connexion with Caxton as the statue in St. Peter's bears to the great
Apostle, though called by his name.
MR. CORNEY'S proposal, of giving an impression of Caxton's original
compositions, would unquestionably be his most enduring and glorious
monument. These reprints would be dear, not only to the bibliographer,
but to the philologist and men of letters generally. But the work would
be an expensive one, and the editors should be far more liberally
recompensed than by merely receiving a limited number of copies. As the
subscription would probably be very limited, the work should be
undertaken by the nation, and not by individuals; still, the funds
already raised, if not otherwise expended for educational purposes, as
before suggested, would serve as the foundation for accomplishing MR.
CORNEY'S excellent suggestion.
J. H. M.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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