THOMAS BEWICK. 



2 1 



doubtless the reading of "the Bible or some other good book" was sorely 

 against his inclination even on Sundays, although he always had the 

 profoundest reverence for religious matters. 



In taking the course of sending his boy to the employment of his choice, 

 Bewick's father deserves credit for his appreciative perception of his son's 

 latent talent. In glancing over the early lives of painters, how often have we 

 to lament that the elder people around the young artist should have been so 

 dull in observing signs of the youth's genius whose charge lay to their 

 hands ! Happily it was not so in Bewick's case. Like every one, he had 

 obstacles to encounter ; but to his parents' honour be it said, when once they 

 perceived the bent of their son's mind, and that it was not "mis-spent time," as 

 at first they naturally supposed, they encouraged him to persevere with his 

 art ; and they never afterwards could have had a moment's doubt that they 

 did right in allowing their son's wishes for exercise in drawing to be 

 completely carried out. 



Louisa and the Boy who sold the Birds. " Looking Glass for the Mind." From the original block 

 engraved by John Bewick. Lent by Messrs. Griffith and Farran. 



