Mr. Atkinson's Sketch of the late T. Bewick. 147 



immediately persuaded of the fact, and there are many instances, where 

 a comparison of the block and impression were necessary to convince 

 them. 



Among the sceptics, was our beloved Monarch, George III. ; hav- 

 ing seen some of the illustrations of The Chase, by Somerville, he was 

 so incredulous that such beautiful impressions could be procured from 

 wooden blocks, that he ordered his bookseller, Mr. George Nicol, 

 to procure the original blocks for his inspection, with which he was 

 well pleased. 



Many other celebrated persons have also been much interested in 

 their examination. The Grand Duke Nicholas, of Russia, on his A^isit 

 to Newcastle, expressed himself highly gratified with them. 



In his younger days, he could finish one of his birds, if not accompa- 

 nied by much foliage, in a day, or sometimes in a few hours ; at a 

 later period, though still possessed of excellent eyesight, he could not 

 work so unremittingly, and they occupied a longer time. At one pe- 

 riod of his life, he injured, by over-exertion, one of the nerves of the 

 eye, and it was almost feared at the time, that he would never fully re- 

 cover his strength of sight ; happily for the world he did so completely. 



In a work entitled " Religious Emblems" published by Ackerman, 

 he says, " The Bewicks of Newcastle were the first to bring this art 

 (wood engraving) to any perfection ; with what success they have prac- 

 tised it, their works on Natural History, which are in every body's 

 hands, sufficiently evince, and it is no small addition to their praise, 

 that to the pupils of this school we owe every work of celebrit}- that 

 has since been executed." 



During his apprenticeship he was much noticed by Mr. Gilbert 

 Gray bookbinder, (father of the late George Gray, fruit-painter,) 

 who had been brought up in the shop of Allan Ramsay, author of the 

 " Gentle Shepherd ;" and who, to his own shrewd observations on men 

 and things, added much that he had learned from his celebrated 

 master. 



Whilst Bewick was at work, Mr. Gray, who was much respected in 

 Newcastle, used often to sit beside him, and perhaps in his strong good 



