20 



THOMAS BEWICK. 



apprentice-fee, it was not long till a good understanding between parties took 

 place." During the seven years of his apprenticeship Bewick lived on good 

 terms with his employer.* Disputes with his master, and one notable quarrel 

 with his master's family, did certainly occur; but it was not until years after- 

 wards, when the engravers became partners and the business of publishing 

 was carried on, that real contentions and unfortunate misunderstandings 

 arose. 



The terms of the indenture were not finally settled until some minor 

 difficulties had been overcome. Beilby had heard some tales of the boy's 

 turbulency; and it took the persuasion of the Rev. Mr. Gregson, as 

 well as another friend, to convince him that Bewick was likely to prove 

 as satisfactory in business habits as he also deemed him to be in capa- 

 bility. His teacher had recognised the error that had been made since he 

 was first told of the petty misdoings of the boy, and he was doubly anxious 

 that no second misconception should arise. He laid special stress on the fact 

 that Bewick was never either sulky or saucy, nor likely to prove revengeful. 

 In the end Beilby accepted him as an apprentice, agreeing to teach him the 

 art and mystery of engraving — not specially on wood, but that too if his 

 patrons should furnish him with commissions. 



It was also settled that Bewick should form one of Beilby' s family, taking 

 his share in the household duties as well as in the workshop. At first he was 

 allowed considerable freedom when not engaged in business ; but one Sunday 

 evening (Sunday was often an unlucky day with Bewick) he, as related in 

 his Memoir, became embroiled in a fight with " three low blackguard 'prentice 

 lads," who, after provoking a quarrel, fell all three upon him, and blackened 

 his eyes and scratched his face. His appearance was an unpardonable crime 

 to the mind of his master, and after this he was compelled to submit to 

 comparative imprisonment — at least the country lad considered it so; and 



* Compare with Chapter VII. and Appendix, Notes on a visit to Thomas Bewick in 1825. 



