MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 139 



between them. The first employment that my 

 companion got was that of a plough-driver. He 

 next became a farmer's servant, and afterwards 

 a manager of a farm and brewery. In all these 

 departments, he was distinguished for his industry, 

 good sense, good management, and great integrity, 

 It happened, however, that he, being handsome 

 in his person and manly in his deportment, his 

 employer began to suspect that the young lady 

 of the house was showing a marked partiality 

 towards him ; and this having occasioned some 

 frowns and hints which his spirit could not brook, 

 he gave up the place. Having seen an advertise- 

 ment from a gentleman going on his travels, who 

 wanted a young man as a servant and a manager 

 of his affairs, poor Lawson was struck with this 

 as a thing worth looking after, and he immediately 

 set off to Newcastle to make the necessary en- 

 quiries. For that purpose he waited upon Mr. 

 Slack, bookseller and editor of the "Newcastle 

 Chronicle." As soon as he entered the shop or 

 office, Mrs. Slack* eyed him from head to foot ; 

 and, after a short pause, she broke silence and 

 began by telling him she thought it a great pity 

 that such a young man, as he appeared to be, 

 should not do better than putting himself to be a 

 gentleman's servant, and asked him if he would 

 not like better to be some trade or business. This 

 he readily admitted, but at the same time observed, 

 that he had not the means of doing so. Being a 

 very sensible clever woman, she told him she 

 would endeavour to help him to accomplish this, 



* She selected and published "The Pleasing Instructor," was the 

 author of " Fisher's Grammar [and Tutor"] and was quite a literary 

 character. [She died in Newgate Street, Newcastle, April 26, 1778.] 



