MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 43 



be glad of the honour of his company this day to tea 

 at six o'clock/ These few words at once proved to 

 me the kindness of his nature, and, as my labours 

 were closed for the day, I accompanied the son to 

 his father's house. 



" As yet I had seen but little of the town, and 

 had never crossed the Tyne. The first remarkable 

 object that attracted my notice was a fine church, 

 which my companion informed me was that of St. 

 Nicholas. Passing over the river by a stone bridge 

 of several arches, I saw by the wharfs a considerable 

 number of vessels, among which I distinguished some 

 of American construction. The shores on either 

 side were pleasant, the undulated ground being or- 

 namented with buildings, windmills, and glass-works. 

 On the water glided, or were swept along by great 

 oars, boats of singular form, deeply laden with the 

 subterranean produce of the hills around. 



" At length we reached the dwelling of the en- 

 graver, and I was at once shewn to his workshop. 

 There I met the old man, who, coming towards me, 

 welcomed me with a hearty shake of the hand, and 

 for a moment took off a cotton night-cap, somewhat 

 soiled by the smoke of the place. He was a tall 

 stout man, with a large head, and with eyes placed 

 farther apart than those of any man that I have ever 



