258 CHAPTER OF CRITICISM. 



£We agree with some of Mr. Hall's observations, and should be glad to notice 

 an improvement in several of the illustrations ; but every ornithologist extensively- 

 acquainted with illustrated publications on Natural History, is fully aware of the 

 small proportion of first-rate engravings which they commonly contain, and that 

 in works of an inferior grade tolerable cuts are quite the exception. With these 

 facts in view, and gratified with the admirable character of the letter-press, we 

 could not but speak highly of so spirited an undertaking as that under considera- 

 tion, but at the same time considered it requisite to give a hint with regard to 

 the character of the wood-cuts, as a suggestion for future improvement. We 

 consider the engravings in Mr. Yarrell's numbers, on the whole, superior to 

 those of most works of a similar character, whether containing wood-cuts or 

 coloured plates. To Bewick's they at least bear a very fair comparison, the 

 rough style of that artist's work in many cases alone sufficing to carry off the 

 otherwise obvious defects of position, &c. Thus while the modern finished style 

 of wood-cutting takes in the public in general, Bewick's off-hand and frequently 

 coarse workmanship — in addition to the partiality naturally felt for an old 

 favourite — tends, we doubt not, in many instances to veil similar defects from 

 more critical observers. Many of BEWick's figures {i. e. as regards outline, &c.) 

 would at once be unmasked if finished by an artist of our own day. — The modern 

 wood-cutters are, beyond all question, advanced far beyond Bewick in their art; 

 but in the case of works on Natural History they either copy bad drawings or 

 specimens, or else lack all knowledge of and taste for Natural Science ; and in 

 neither case are the artists to blame. Who that is acquainted with the birds in 

 their native haunts, and after inspecting the engravings on India-paper in the 

 second volume of The Naturalist, will venture to affirm that we possess no 

 ornithological artist to be compared to Bewick ? The engraver ought not merely 

 to be eminent as a wood -cutter, but as an engraver of birds, should copy from good 

 specimens or drawings, and be superintended by a competent artist The parties 

 concerned in the publication of the work which has given rise to these observa- 

 tions, know all this as well as we do, but then comes the question, would the 

 sale of the book remunerate for so much trouble and expense ? We believe that 

 it would not, and that the majority of the public are perfectly satisfied with the 

 engravings as they at present get them. Why, then, need the publisher put 

 himself to an expense which will prove a loss to him, merely to please a few 

 •ornithologists ? The reply is obvious : he need not, and therefore will not, saddle 

 any such trouble or expense upon himself. Mr. Hall, however, believes that 

 the deterioration will greatly diminish the sale of the work. All we can say is, 

 we wish it would, and should hail with pleasure so powerful a demonstration of 

 the progress of Natural History in Britain. Our correspondent wrote with the 

 riew of exposing the character of the wood-cuts in Mr. Yarrell's work, and 



