THOMAS BEWICK. 



3i 



feebler, that of his thorough work became stronger, and by its example led 

 others into the right path. 



Though Bewick had already given evidence of his superiority in wood 

 engraving, his master was not able to allow him much practice in that branch 

 of the business, because orders for other kinds of engraving far exceeded 

 those for woodcuts. Bewick had, indeed, some cause to grumble. Being 

 often engaged in the engraving of clock-faces, in polishing copper-plates, 

 and in hardening and working steel seals, his hands became as hard as 

 a blacksmith's, and he said he felt almost inclined to give up the business. 

 He persevered, however, in his apprenticeship, and in time the firm of 

 Beilby, together with the apprentice, became so well known that com- 

 missions for woodcuts got to be more frequent. They were only like an 

 oasis in the desert, which causes the surroundings to appear more dull, yet 

 they gave hope of future pleasure and prosperity ; and for the love of his art 

 Bewick performed the disagreeable duties as silently as he could, while his 

 mind dwelt on the potentialities of the better-beloved work of engraving 

 on wood. 



There are several little books which have always been included in lists 

 of Bewick's works, and while it is almost certain that the young engraver 

 executed many of the cuts therein, yet some doubt exists, as Bewick him- 

 self did not acknowledge them in after-years — possibly, as he said of the 1820 

 Fables, because he did not feel inclined "to feed the whimsies of biblio- 

 manists." One of the earliest of these was printed in 1771 by T. Saint for 

 W. Charnley, and was called " A New Lottery Book of Birds and Beasts for 

 Children to learn their Letters by As soon as they can Speak." This book, of 

 which there are at least two editions, is now very scarce ; it contains forty- 

 eight tiny cuts, which have much of the appearance of Bewick's first work ; 

 it is said, indeed, to have been the third work for which he executed cuts. 

 On the first page there are two complete alphabets in Old English characters ; 

 following this each page alternately contains the letter of the alphabet and 



