with country gentlemen. Addison, in the 'Spectator' (Nos. 269 and 329), represents Sir Roger de Coverley as frequently reading and quoting the 'Chronicle,' which always lay in his hall window. Fielding, in 'Joseph Andrews,' also refers to it as part of the furniture of Sir Thomas Booby's country house. But its reputation with the learned never stood very high. Thomas Blount published at Oxford in 1672 'Animadversions upon Sr Richard Baker's "Chronicle," and its continuation,' where eighty-two errors are noticed, but many of these are mere typographical mistakes. The serious errors imputed to the volume are enough, however, to prove that Baker was little of an historical scholar, and depended on very suspicious authorities. Daines Barrington, in his 'Observations on the Statutes,' writes that 'Baker is by no means so contemptible a writer as he is generally supposed to be; it is believed that the ridicule on this "Chronicle" arises from its being part of the furniture of Sir Roger de Coverley's hall' (3rd ed. p. 97, quoted in Granger); but the only claim to distinction that has been seriously urged in recent times in behalf of the 'Chronicle' is that it gives for the first time the correct date of the poet Gower's death.
Sir Richard Baker was also the author of 'Theatrum Redivivum, or the Theatre Vindicated,' a reply to Prynne's 'Histrio-Mastix,' published posthumously in 1662. There are interesting references here to the Elizabethan actors, Tarlton, Burbage, and Alleyn (p. 34), and much good sense in the general argument. A reprint of the book under the title of 'Theatrum Triumphans' is dated 1670.
A portrait of Sir Richard appears in the frontispiece to the early editions of the 'Chronicle.' Baker's library is said to have been purchased by Bishop Williams, the lord keeper, in behalf of Westminster Abbey (Notes and Queries, 3rd ser. xi. 384).
Among the Sloane MSS. (No. 881) is an incomplete unpublished work by one Richard Baker, entitled, 'Honour, Discours'd of in the Theory of it and the Practice, with Directions for a prudent Conduct on occurrences of Incivility and Civility.' Dr. Grosart assigns this long-winded treatise to Sir Richard Baker, the chronicler, and the religious spirit in which it is written may for a moment support the theory. But the fact that the dedication, undoubtedly written by the author, is addressed to Henry [Compton] bishop of London, proves that the work was not completed until after 1675, the date of Compton's appointment to the see of London. And at that date Sir Richard Baker had been dead for more than thirty years.
[Wood's Athenae Oxon. (Bliss), iii. 148-51; Biog. Brit. (Kippis); Granger's Biog. Hist. (1775), ii. 321; Baker's Meditations on the Psalms, ed. Grosart, pp. i-xl; Notes and Queries, 1st ser. ii. 67, 244, 507, vi. 318 (where an account of a legend connected with the elder Sir Richard Baker, of no historical importance, is fully discussed), 2nd ser. ii. 509, iii. 76. 3rd ser. ii. 275, 475.]
BAKER, RICHARD, D.D. (1741–1818), theological writer, was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. (as seventh senior optime) in 1762, M.A. in 1765, and D.D. in 1788. He was elected to a fellowship in his college, and in 1772 was presented to the rectory of Cawston-with-Portland in Norfolk, which he held till his death in 1818. His works are: 1. 'How the Knowledge of Salvation is attainable,' a sermon on John vii. 17, 1782, 4to. 2. 'The Harmony or Agreement of the Four Evangelists, in four parts,' London, 1783-87, 8vo. 3. 'The Psalms of David Evangelized, wherein are seen the Unity of Divine Truth, the Harmony of the Old and New Testament, and the peculiar Doctrines of Christianity, in agreement with the Experience of Believers in all Ages,' London, 1811, 8vo.
[MS. Addit. 19209 f. 36; Chambers's Hist. of Norfolk, 198; Gent. Mag. lxxxviii. (i.), 646; Watt's Bibl. Brit.]
BAKER, ROBERT (fl. 1562–3), voyager to Guinea, started on his first voyage 'to seeke for golde' in October 1562. The expedition consisted of two ships, the Minion and the Primrose, and was 'set out by Sir William Garrard, Sir William Chester, Mr. Thomas Lodge, Anthony Hickman, and Edward Castelin.' Baker's efforts to traffic with the natives on the Guinea coast were not very successful, and he was wounded in a fight. But he returned home in safety early in 1563. In November of the same year he made a second voyage to 'Guinie and the river of Sesto' as factor in an expedition of two ships, the John Baptist and the Martin, sent out by London merchants. On arriving at Guinea, Baker landed with eight companions to negotiate with the natives, but a storm drove the ships from their moorings, and Baker and his companions were abandoned. After suffering much privation six of the nine men died. The three survivors were rescued by a French ship, and imprisoned in France as prisoners of war; but they appear to have been subsequently released.
Baker wrote accounts in verse of both voyages, which were printed by Richard Hakluyt in his 'Voyages,' in 1589.
