4 o 



THOMAS BEWICK. 



of a cold, while I continued to live in this way." And further on he adds, " My 

 travelling expenses for the day were commonly only a penny or twopence for 

 crossing the water." 



Bewick was now quite a man in stature and appearance. He grew to be 

 nearly six feet in height, although, being stout in proportion, he scarcely 

 seemed so tall. He was possessed of courage and great strength, qualities 

 that he was somewhat proud of displaying. At one time, it is told, he was 

 forced to combat with two miners who assaulted him near his father's house. 

 Disdaining the powerful frames of his opponents, and his own disadvantage of 

 being one against two, he fought them together, and his strength was tried and 

 his courage tested. He stood his ground with vigour ; he was the aggrieved 

 party, and he did not hesitate to employ all the skill he had gained when 

 practising soldiers' drill with the veterans of the village. He caused his 

 adversaries to acknowledge they were beaten, and, as he termed it, he " paid 

 them both well." 



The Sheep and the Bramble Bush. " Select Fables," 1784. 

 From the original blocli engraved by Thomas Bewick. Lent by the Rev. Mr. Pearson. 



