1822.] Bewick’s History of British Birds. 997 
much. Our opinion, however, is not lightly formed, for we have 
had an opportunity of examining some of his very few efforts 
on copper. Our opinion, is founded lhkewise on the general 
principle of the far higher capabilities inherent in the metallic 
surface, but more essentially still, on the entire mastery which 
he appears to possess over all the resources of his art in de- 
veloping those capabilities. 
Wood, however, has some compensating advantages of which 
it would seem he thought proper to avail himself. Possessing 
every suitable requisite for beauty, accuracy and effect, (at least 
-in Mr. Bewick’s hands,) it is also more durable, paradoxical 
though that may sound. This important quality, however, will 
at once be understood to be merely relative, and to depend 
chiefly on technical differences in the principles of the two arts, 
and particularly in the details of printing. At all events, it is 
sufficient to allow the multiplying of impressions, if not inde- 
finitely, at least to an extent that ensures all the perpetuity that 
can reasonably be calculated on for any work. The degree in 
which this property exists in wood will appear when it is known 
that although several thousand copies of the engravings have 
now been thrown off, the cuts of the present edition are as per- 
fect as those of the first. It will be made still farther evident 
from a circumstance which has lately come to our knowledge, 
that one wood cut has been known to stand upwards of nine 
hundred thousand impressions in the ordinary wear and tear of 
a newspaper press, without undergoing any material deface- 
ment.* 
[t results from these circumstances that the expense of pub- 
lication and the cost to purchases are prevented from exceeding 
the bounds of moderation. Thus one of the primary objects of 
the work, that of combining pleasing and useful instruction 
with economy, is effectually accomplished, by bringing an in- 
teresting branch of study within the reach of many to whom 
the enormous price, according to any other mode of engraving, 
must have for ever rendered it inaccessible. Far then from 
quarrelling with Mr. Bewick for his preference of wood, we 
have cause to be pleased with his choice; for to that we owe 
the restoration of an important but neglected art, while an ac- 
quaintance with the particulars just enumerated tends greatly 
to enhance our estimate of those abilities which could, with 
materials intrinsically inferior, produce such results as he has 
done. These results, aécording to our judgment, fully warrant 
the opinion, that in truth and vigour of conception, boldness of: 
outline, justness of proportion, fidelity and minuteness: of deli- 
neation, adherence to physiognomy, attitude, character, manner, 
in short, in all that constitutes ‘ nature’s copy,” Mr. Bewick 
* This curiousfact may help to do away with some mistaken notions very prevalent 
with respect to the alleged superiority of the earlier editions, and the necessity of occa~ 
sionally retouching the cuts. 
