HENRY ALKEN 7 



artist of the time, and published by G. S. Tregear, 

 is here reproduced ; the print bears no date. Not 

 until 1816, when he was thirty-two years old, do we 

 discover works signed with his own name ; in that 

 year he executed and signed the series of eighteen 

 plates entitled The Beauties and Defects of the 

 Figure of the Horse Comparatively Delineated, to 

 which passing reference has been made. These 

 were engraved and printed in colours, a detailed 

 explanatory description accompanying each plate. 

 This work, with an illustrated title page, was 

 published in quarto by S. & J. Fuller, 34, Rath- 

 bone Place, London. 



He did not, however, cease signing himself 

 " Ben Tally O." Hoio to Qualify for a Mcltonian, 

 published in 1819, was issued under the name 

 which was by that time closely identified with 

 clever hunting pictures. There is a good deal of 

 slightly cynical humour in the letterpress which 

 accompanies the six plates of the series. Thus 

 the artist words his " Address to Would-be 

 Meltonians. " : — 



" The next best thing to being a man of high consideration is 

 to be takm for one ; to be thought in any way like a Meltonian 

 is honour quant, suff. for ninety-nine in a hundred. You have 

 here six conspicuous points of Meltonianship, accompanied 

 with some sHght remarks ; and should anyone have the good 

 fortune to accomplish but thvee out of the six he will stand a 

 fair chance of being taken for another — at any rate that he is 

 not himself." 



