The Country Maid and the Milk Pail. " Select Fables," 1784. 

 From the original block engraved by Thomas Bewick. Lent by the Rev. Mr. Pearson. 



CHAPTER X. 



CHILDREN'S BOOKS, MISCELLANEOUS CUTS, AND THE " SELECT FABLES." 



1777 — 1784. 



P^HE principal publication of the year 1777, with illustrations by Bewick, 



*~ was the miniature volume called " A New Year's Gift for Little 

 Masters and Misses," published by Charnley of Newcastle, and printed by 

 Saint in a small square 241x10. In this there is no letterpress of any kind, 

 simply a series of woodcuts, about two inches by one and a quarter in size ; 

 they are mostly of groups of figures, not following nor illustrating any one 

 legend further than that six exemplify the story of Robin Hood. Some are 

 very poor, and cannot be attributed to Bewick, but the cut of a girl gathering- 

 wild flowers, those of Red Riding Hood with the fox, and that of Cock 

 Robin shot by the sparrow, are examples of Bewick's early method of 

 engraving. In 1777 Bewick also engraved a cut to illustrate the pro- 

 gramme of the Newcastle Races — an oblong design showing three horses 

 approaching the winning-post. It is signed Bewick at the right-hand corner, 



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