MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. ? 



sign, a correctness of outline, an exactness of attitude, 

 and a discrimination of general character, which con- 

 vey, at the first glance, a just and lively idea of each 

 different animal. The figures were accompanied hy 

 a clear and concise statement of the nature, habits, 

 and disposition of each animal : these were chiefly 

 drawn up by his able coadjutors, Mr Beilby, his part- 

 ner, and his printer Mr Solomon Hodgson ; subject, 

 no doubt, to the corrections and additions of Mr 

 Bewick. In drawing up these descriptions, it was 

 the endeavour of the publishers to lay before their 

 readers a particular account of the quadrupeds of our 

 own country, especially of those which have so ma- 

 terially contributed to its strength, prosperity, and 

 happiness, and to notice the improvements which an 

 enlarged system of agriculture, supported by a noble 

 spirit of generous emulation, has diffused through- 

 out the country. 



But the great and, to the public in general, unex- 

 pected, charm of the History of Quadrupeds, was 

 the number and variety of the vignettes and tail- 

 pieces, with which the whole volume is embellished. 

 Many of these are connected with the manners and 

 habits of the animals near which they are placed ; 

 others are, in some other way, connected with them, 

 as being intended to convey to those who avail them- 



