Frederick Wedmore

“ BASIRE, JAMES (1730–1802) ; BASIRE, JAMES (1769–1822) ; BASIRE, JAMES (1796–1869) , represent four generations of a family more or less known as engravers; but as three of the four men who practised their art bore the same Christian name, and as longevity allowed the life and work of one to overlap that of another or of the rest in a remarkable manner, it is with the utmost difficulty that the student traces their careers, and it is better to recognise frankly the impossibility of assigning with assurance to each member of the family his proper share in labour or reputation. ”

“ Like his forefathers, he was a busy man, but much of his life fell upon a time when antiquarian record and research were less generously encouraged than in the older days, and he seems to have been personally disposed to wield a less severe burin than that whose employment had made the fame and secured the competence of the earlier members of his house. ”

“ This was called forth by a pamphlet on the effects of the suspension of cash payments in 1797, and was intended to prove 'that the increase of banknotes is the principal cause of the great rise in the price of commodities and every species of exchangeable value' (p. 7) . ”

“ On March 1793 the firm of Boyd, Benfield, & Co. was established in London. Boyd, as the principal partner, contributed 60,000l. to the common stock, and his 'name, connections, and exertions' soon carried it to a great 'pitch of celebrity.' He was 'zealously attached to Mr. Pitt, and enjoyed his confidence for many years' (advertisement to 2nd edition of Letter to Pitt) . He was employed in contracting to the amount of over thirty millions for large government loans, and for some time was very prosperous. ”