LIFE AND GENIUS OF GEORGE CJIUIKSHANK. 139 



you sitting thus for a long time ; I hope you have no sinister 

 designs : fearing that you might, I have left my house to come and 

 prevent them. Suicide is quite unwarrantable you '11 understand 

 especially in a boy. How would you like to have your mother see 

 the corpse of her dear child cantering, like a deal plank, over yon 

 waves. For shame, lad ; go home, and don't think of it ; go home ; 

 go home." " No, thank you, sir," said Ross. " Why not, then, 

 eh ?" " Because, you see, sir, I've dropped my shoe-buckle, and I'm 

 waiting for the low water, that I may make sure of it on the sands 

 below." 



Soon after this circumstance, a gentleman was so infatuated with 

 Isaac's talent, that he offered to take him to London, and make a man 

 of him. On his arrival in the metropolis, the fellow wanted to transform 

 the young genius into a lackey : Isaac resented the insult by instantly 

 quitting the rascal's house, and, without a shilling or a pencil, threw 

 himself upon the world. He had previously, without assistance, ac- 

 quired the modus operandi of etching. Ignorant of his topographical po- 

 sition, he entered a shop in the Minories, where minor engravings were 

 sold. With the most winning artlessness, he solicited and obtained 

 employment. " Will you oblige me with a tool or two ?" said he, to 

 the shopkeeper. " What ! no tools ?" " None/' '* Well, it 's rather 

 odd ; but I '11 venture to lend you a few." " Thank you sincerely, 

 sir but about the copper ?" " Well !" " I havn't a plate in the 

 world ; I 'm just come from Edinburgh, if you 'd only trust me 

 with one ." " It 's a risk, to be sure, for you may spoil it ; but I 

 don't much mind if I do : there." " Many thanks to you, sir ; I 'm 

 a friendless lad in this great town, though in Scotland there 's many 

 that would stand up for me to the last drop of their blood. Would 

 you permit me to do the plate at that little desk behind your coun- 

 ter ?" The shopkeeper was at first amazed ; but, after a few 

 moments' consideration, he gracefully acquiesced, like a good Sama- 

 ritan as he was ; and in a very brief period " little Isaac" earned a 

 guinea ! It was his Jtrst, and we are told by competent authorities, 

 that the ceiling suffered from his vehement leap when it was placed 

 in his hands. All this is decidedly honourable to the young gentle- 

 man's prudence, perseverance, and talent. We should be proud of 

 such a son ; and Miss Mac Naghten was happy no disparagement 

 to her personal attractions or good qualities of heart and mind in 

 being blessed with such a husband. 



The young artist thenceforth obtained full employment. As he 

 grew up, he displayed from time to time considerable powers as a 

 caricaturist. " In process of time" he married as young men will 

 and had a family. I. R. Cruikshank was his first-born ; George, his 

 second. Both selected their father's profession, and while George 

 was digging away at his father's plates and dishes, I. R., being some 

 years older, was painting miniatures, and supporting himself. I. R. 

 had studied in the Academy, and Fuseli once paid this high compli- 

 ment considering from whom it emanated to one of his draw- 

 ings : " That is very good !" George wished to follow his brother's 

 steps, and accordingly drew a figure from the antique, in order to 

 obtain admission. It was hisjinsl and last. On presenting it to Fu- 

 M. M. No. 86. L 



