. Mr. Atkinson's Sketch of the late T, Bewick. 143 



Mr. Bewick cut a small vignette for the Newcastle Chronicle, which 

 headed the local news for more than twenty years, and afforded, during 

 that period, nearly two million impressions. It may be presumed that 

 these were not so clear at last, but to retain a place in tlie paper, in an 

 intelligible condition, argues pretty fairly for the durability of wood cuts. 



What adds not a little to the value of the 4to. copies of Bewick's 

 Works, is the fact that no more are likely to be printed in that manner ; 

 for from the want of support, afforded by adjacent types, the blocks were 

 unable to sustain the requisite pressure, and many of them were injured, 

 the bill of one of the Crows, and that of the Nightingale, among others, 

 being broken. The latter he had just repaired before his death, by in- 

 troducing a small square of wood in place of the piece originally con- 

 taining the bill, which was sawed out. This new piece just comprises 

 the whole head of the bird, and has not yet been printed from. In conse- 

 quence of these accidents to the blocks, the author was determined that 

 no more should be printed without the letter-press, and as his family 

 seem of the same opinion, there appears little probabiUty of their in- 

 crease. 



In 1795, the first edition of Goldsmith's and Parnell's Poetical 

 Works, with illustrations by T. & J. Bewick, was published in London, 

 by Wm. Bulmer, price £1. Is., and in 1802, a super-joyal octavo, at 

 155.; and in 1796, Somerville's Chase, price £1. Is., and in 1802, a 

 second edition, on super-royal octavo, price 15*. 



In 1818, the first edition of the Fables of JEsop and others, with wood- 

 cuts, by Bewick, was published at Newcastle, by E. Walker. It had 

 for its object the promotion of morality among the youth of these king- 

 doms, and though inferior to his Birds and Beasts, is deservedly popular. 

 One thousand copies of this edition were printed on demi octavo, at 

 155., five hundred on royal, at £1. I5., and five hundred on imperial, at 

 £1. 115. 6rf. 



A second edition was published in 1824, I85. demi, and 245. royal 

 octavo. 



I extract the following record of one or two rare copies of his Works 

 from John Bell's Catalogue, printed in 179-5. 



