72 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



milk.* I had an hour allowed me for dinner; 

 and, as to my mornings and evenings, I could 

 take a much longer time. A very small matter 

 of animal food, when I missed going to Elswick, 

 was amply sufficient for me; for I think my 

 constitution did not require to be stimulated. By 

 persevering in this system of temperance and 

 exercise, I was astonished to find how much 

 I improved in health, strength, and agility. I 

 thought nothing of leaving Newcastle after I 

 had done work 7 o'clock on a winter's night, 

 and of setting off to walk to Cherryburn. In 

 this I was stimulated by an ardent desire to visit 

 my parents as often as possible ; and the desire 

 continued to act upon me as long as they lived. 



In my solitary walks (as before noticed), the 

 first resolution made was that of living within my 

 income ; and another of similar import, was that 

 of never getting anything upon trust ; but, indeed, 

 my limited income, at this time, led me carefully 

 to observe these rules, and I have never since 

 forgotten them. The train of reflections they 

 brought along with them has also dwelt upon my 

 mind. I could not help observing the inevitable 

 ill consequences which a contrary course (at 

 first entered upon, perhaps, unthinkingly) led 

 thousands into, and the misery it entailed. The 

 more I have thought upon this subject, the more 

 clearly I have seen its importance. Getting into 



[ * One of his companions on these Elswick expeditions was 

 William Bulmer (see next page). In a letter to Bewick dated 

 August 20, 1825, he refers to their "former anxious and early visits 

 to Goody Coxon's to partake of her sour milk and hot brown cake at 

 a place generally known (in our day) by the polite designation of the 

 "Hog's Tavern 1 '" at Elswick."] 



