BASKERVILLE

John, an English artist, deserving of notice for his improvements in printing type-founding. He was bom at Wolverley, in Worcesters hire, in 1706, and, inheriting a smsdl estate, was brought up to no profe ion. He, however, acquired a particular skill in penmanship and carving letters on stone; and at the ase of twenty he settled Binning ham » a writmg-Zter. He^subsequently engaged in the manufacture of japanned works; in 1750 commenced his labours in the branch of which acquired for him so much celebrity. His first great performance as a printer, was an edition Virgil, in royal 4to, 1756, which was followed many of the Latin cla ics, and some English ones, in 4to and smaller sizra. The beauty of his typographical productions was superior to anything which had previously appeared from an English pre ; and when it is considered that the paper and ink, well as the types and workmanship, were the fruits of one man's skill and ingenuity, it must be admitted that he po e ed great merit. He died in 1775, his types and matrices were afterwards sold at Paris for £3700, to Beau march a is, who printed with them at Kehl a superb edition of Voltaire.