THOMA S BE WICK. 



57 



bear, and would have cut off many opportunities to make the earnest country 

 studies he did. John Bewick, his brother, in after-years went to London, but 

 fell ill, partly through confinement, and died at a comparatively early age. 

 Might not this, too, have been the elder brother's experience, had not his 

 nature so thoroughly revolted at the thought of prolonged residence in 

 London ? It is true he had desired heartily to leave his native place, but, like 

 many another young man who feels an inclination to travel, when the hoped- 

 for joys were tasted they were found to be more unsatisfying than he had 

 imagined. The novelty of London life had worn off, he had visited the 

 famous places of the metropolis, and seen the wonders of which he had 

 heard, and it only remained for him to settle down to business ; but he 

 found as many difficulties to contend with as ever, and he missed his 

 one grand consolation — his interviews with nature and communion with the 

 rustic spirits in whom he delighted. Therefore his mind was made up 

 to return to Newcastle, and he wisely resolved to leave London at once. 



Hodgson, who had given him work, perceived some reason in Bewick's 

 wish to return, and excusing what he perhaps considered only a passing fit 

 of home sickness, kindly promised to give sufficient employment to keep 

 him occupied for several months to come. This proposal Bewick eagerly 

 accepted, for one great fear he had in returning to Newcastle was that he 

 might have to seek business in direct opposition to Beilby, his former master. 

 Bewick had too tender a respect for his old employer to want to detract from 

 his not too extensive business. 



It may be well here to mention the results of the work which Bewick did 

 while in London. It consisted mainly, so far as is now known, of several cuts 

 for the " Curious Hieroglyphick Bible," and a considerable number of blocks 

 employed, as Bewick mentions in his Memoir, "in embellishing the endless 

 number of old ballads and histories printed at the office, with rude devices as 

 head-pieces to them." Besides these there must have been a number of other 

 cuts, but they were probably only partially wrought by Bewick, or his 



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