Review of the Memoir of Thomas Bewick. 373 



manners in the great metropolis, describing its engravers as a 

 *' saucy, ignorant, and impudent set" (''the ignorant part of 

 the Cockneys called me Scotchman," — though, he adds, he was 

 not offended even at this insult to his border pride), he carried 

 back to his dear North experience and engagements for years 

 to come. 



He now began to devote his attention wholly to improve- 

 ments in the art of wood-cutting, which had remained sta- 

 tionary since the days of Durer and Holbein. His first dif- 

 ficulties arose from the carelessness of the printers, and the 

 clumsiness of the common pelt balls then in use for inking the 

 blocks. To remedy this, he carefully shaved down all the edges 

 of his blocks. His next difficulty was worse to surmount, 

 and that was to lower down the surface on all the parts he 

 wished to appear pale, so as to give the appearance of the 

 required distance, — a process which may be considered as one 

 of Bewick's most important discoveries in the art of wood- 

 engraving. Next his attention was directed to some specimens 

 of cross-etching by Albert Durer ; and in his attempts to re- 

 store this lost branch of his art, he was led to make successful 

 experiments in the use of two blocks. In some of his large 

 plates he applied this second improvement successfully, printing 

 the outline from one block, and applying the impression, while 

 wet, to another devoted to shade and dark effect alone. Al- 

 though this art of chiaroscuro is of early Italian invention, yet 

 Bewick's method of applying it was so original as to give him 

 a fair share in the title of inventor. 



In 1777, Bewick entered into partnership with his old 

 master, Beilby ; and, in 1779, obtained the medal of the Society 

 of Arts for his woodcuts illustrating Saint's edition of ' Gay's 

 Fables.' In 1785 he commenced his 'History of Quadrupeds,' 

 drawing such animals as he knew from nature and memory, 

 and copying others from Smellie's abridgment of Buffon. 

 During the course of this work he went on foot to Chillingham 

 to draw a specimen of the celebrated wild cattle ; which, creep- 

 ing on hands and knees, he at length accomplished. His 

 partner, Mr. Beilby, supplied all the letter-press for this work, — 

 Bewick furnishing him with what he knew of animals in con- 



VOL. IV. 2 c 



