THOMAS BEWICK. 



35 



work. . Gray had for his aim the promotion of virtuous and valuable principles 

 in his pupils ; Bewick in his wood engravings, especially in the tail-pieces, 

 had exactly the same end in view. And, as has been said, in Gray's strong 

 good sense and knowledge of character we may trace something of the 

 qualities for which Bewick was remarkable. 



For some unexplained reason Bewick was cut off from having access to 

 Gray's books, of which there seems to have been some number. Gray's son 

 William, however, who had a separate bookbinding business, and who was 

 a lifelong friend of the engraver, was in a position to allow his companion to 

 have access to the partly bound works of the authors which came into his 

 hands. And as the son had added special aptitude to his parent's teaching, 

 his business was even of a better class than his father's, and Bewick, through 

 his kindness, had thus an opportunity of studying the best writers of the 

 period. Bewick also managed to purchase a few volumes out of his own 

 meagre wages. Beilby's servant clandestinely allowed him to peruse his 

 master's books, so he never was altogether without something elevating 

 to read and ponder over after he had reached an age capable of enjoying the 

 labour of others. He says, indeed, that at this time he cared for few other 

 acquaintances besides his books. 



He had, however, pursued his studies too heavily. After the close atten- 

 tion required for the business of the workshop the further steady application 

 was too much for his health, and a physician had to be called in. Beilby had 

 noticed the pale looks of his apprentice, and was disposed to do all he could 

 for his useful assistant. The doctor pronounced the boy " as strong as a 

 horse," though at the same time he commented severely on his master 

 keeping him so much chained to the working bench. Bewick was instructed 

 to take regular pedestrian excursions, and this having been systematically 

 performed, there was no further need for the doctor. 



During his walks, the sweetest medicine that could have been prescribed 

 for Bewick, he frequently visited his father's house at Cherryburn. One 



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