The Lion. " The General History of Quadrupeds." 



CHAPTER XIV. 



"THE GENERAL HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS." 



HE circumstances under which the "General History of Quadrupeds" 



was begun, and the manner in which the work progressed during the 

 first years of its preparation, have been explained in the previous chapter. 

 It is there related that Bewick drew and engraved the woodcuts of the 

 animals and tail-piece vignettes, while his partner, Ralph Beilby, compiled 

 the description and histories ; this being mostly, if not entirely, done after 

 ordinary business hours. 



After a time, a considerable number of blocks being ready, the partners 

 put their proposal into a form which was submitted to the public in a 

 prospectus. They seriously considered how best to have the work published, 

 and this, to the engravers, who had no personal experience in the matter, 

 was a source of no small anxiety. In his letter to the Monthly Magazine of 

 July, 1805, Bewick says, in reference to this, " Prudence suggested that it 

 might be necessary to inquire how our labours were to be ushered to the 

 world ; and, as we were unacquainted with the printing and publishing of 



