76 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



I cut the steel punches for Spence's types, and 

 my master struck them on the matrices for casting 

 his newly-invented letters of the alphabet, for 

 his "Spelling and Pronouncing Dictionary." He 

 published, in London, many curious books in his 

 peculiar way of spelling, and most of them, I 

 believe, on his favourite subject of property in land 

 being everyone's right. However mistaken he 

 might be in his notions on this subject, I am 

 clearly of opinion that his intentions were both 

 sincere and honest.* 



The next most eccentric individual, and at the 

 same time one of the most worthy characters, I 

 early became acquainted with was George Gray, 

 son of Gilbert, and half-brother of William Gray. 

 He was bound apprentice to a man of the name of 

 Jones, a fruit painter. The latter, who, I believe, 

 was accounted eminent in his profession, lived 

 beyond his income, and departed from Newcastle. 

 George being thus left to himself, commenced in 

 the same way of business, greatly succeeded in 

 it, and then also became eminent as a fruit painter; 

 this he pursued many years, but, from his versa- 

 tility of disposition, he dipped into almost every 

 art and science, and excelled in many pursuits. 

 He was accounted one of the best botanists and 

 chemists in this part of the country. He was also 

 a geologist, and was fixed upon as a leader or 



[* Spence died in London, September 8, 1814. Many political 

 admirers followed him to his grave, over which an oration was made. 

 "Appropriate medallions were distributed, and a pair of scales 

 preceded his body, indicative of the justice of his views " (Sykes's 

 "Local Records," 1833, ii, 85-6). Several of his curiously entitled 

 books "The Teacher of Common Sense," 1779, "The Rights of 

 Swine," 1796, and the like were sold at the Bewick Sale of August, 

 1884.] 



