372 Review of the Memoir of Thomas Bewick. 



intimate acquaintances, the Robins, Wrens, Blackbirds, Spar- 

 rows, a solitary Crow, and some others, I was not much 

 attracted, but always felt an extreme pleasure and curiosity in 

 seeing the more rare visitants, such as the Woodcock, Snipe, 

 and other waders, with the Redwings, Fieldfares, &c., make 

 their appearance/^ 



To these morning studies we probably owe many of his in- 

 imitable winter-pieces, with snow, of which he was so fond. 

 His intimate acquaintance with every effect of natural scenery, 

 together with the ready adaptation of wood-cutting to subjects 

 where masses of light are required, made him most happy in 

 these devices, as may be seen in the figure of Death in a Lap- 

 land sledge, drawn by goats, at p. 104 of this volume. 



Bewick's parents had happily sufficient discernment to ap- 

 preciate the bent of their son's genius, and accordingly appren- 

 ticed him to a Mr. Beilby, a general engraver in Newcastle. 

 Here young Bewick had to practise the coarser departments of 

 every kind — steel seals, blocking out wood for billheads, etching 

 sword-blades, door-plates, coffin-plates, cards, clock-faces, and 

 ornamental silver. But in all this we do not catch a glimpse of 

 the higher department of engraving. Landscape or historical 

 plates were never thought of; and our author tells us he never 

 had a lesson given him by any one in any kind of drawing. 

 " I was never a pupil to any drawing-master, and had not even 

 a lesson from William Beilby or his brother Thomas, w^ho, along 

 with their other profession, were also drawing-masters. In the 

 later years of my apprenticeship my master kept me so fully 

 employed, that I never had any opportunity for such a purpose, 

 at which I felt much grieved and disappointed." All honour, 

 then, to the aptitude with which he has repeated the lessons of 

 Dame Nature ! 



His apprenticeship past, and crossed in love, Bewick took to 

 wandering over the hills and through the towns of Scotland, in 

 a better spirit than the great lexicographer, and with a kindlier 

 and happier remembrance. He tried London ; but, though well 

 received, and with abundant offers of patronage as an engraver, 

 his heart was in the North, with its simple peasantry, its heather, 

 and trout streams ; and, thoroughly disgusted with men and 



