The Butterfly and Boy. " Select Fables " of 1776 and 1784. From the original block engraved by 

 Thomas Bewick. Lent by the Rev. Mr. Pearson. 



CHAPTER III. 



APPRENTICESHIP. 



HEN Bewick's father saw that his son possessed such a strong inclina- 



* * tion for drawing, he wisely left off exhorting him to follow other 

 pursuits. He decided that the boy should commence as soon as possible to 

 make use of his gift, and he had him apprenticed to an engraver. This was 

 not accomplished until after careful deliberation. It was apparent that some 

 business connected either directly or indirectly with drawing was the most 

 suitable for young Bewick, and at first a bookseller and printseller was 

 thought of, where he would have met with work calculated to develop his 

 inclinations. However, Ralph and William Beilby, engravers, Newcastle, 

 hearing through the boy's godmother that he was looking for an opening, 

 and being in want of an apprentice, called at Cherryburn to talk the matter 

 over with his parents. After giving an account of their business, no doubt 

 as glowing as possible, for they had heard the boy was clever, it was settled 



