MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 137 



Certain it is that every year for twenty-two years, 

 he challenged the fifers of every regiment stationed 

 in Newcastle, to a trial of skill on that instru- 

 ment ; but none of them could compete with him. 

 He could draw out tones from it the most soft 

 and graceful, as well as the most stunning and 

 loud, such as the ear could not endure in a room, 

 and which were only fit to be heard in the open 

 air. 



