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THOMAS BEWICK. 



family more affectionately attached to their father and each other. The venera- 

 tion and esteem manifested for Bewick by his daughters have increased as years 

 have proceeded, and there does not exist a warmer attachment between 

 daughter and parent than at the present day, fifty-four years after the part- 

 ing, is still cherished by the survivor of the household for her dearly beloved 

 father, Thomas Bewick. 



Bewick had also vigorous ideas as to the training of boys ; how they 

 should be allowed freedom " to fish, to wade, and to splash " in the waters of 

 country rivulets; "to scamper about amongst whins and heather" on the 

 moors, and not harassed with education before their minds are fit for it. In 

 these theories Bewick had evidently been thinking of the advantages of his 

 own childhood. He was brought up in the country, ran about half wild, 

 possessed a strong flow of spirits, and was in every way the opposite of the 

 early matured Lilliputian plants whose nurture he so forcibly condemns. 

 Writing of the rearing of girls, he exposes the follies of tight lacing and the 

 following of the dictates of fashion in all its absurdities, and goes on to hint 

 what he thinks a favourable occupation for ladies. As it is one not yet taken 

 up by the fair sex, his words may be quoted. 



" There is one thing," he says, " to which I would draw their attention, and that 

 is Horticulture. And connected with this I would recommend them, as far as con- 

 venient, to become Florists, as this delightful and healthy employment — which has 

 long been in the hands of men — would entice them into the open air, stimulate them 

 to exertion, and draw them away from their sedentary mode of life, mewed up in 

 close rooms, where they are confined like nuns. This would contribute greatly to 

 their amusement and exhilarate their spirits. Every sensible man should encourage 

 the fair sex to follow this pursuit." 



The actions of the British Government after the outbreak of the French 

 Revolution called forth Bewick's strongest condemnation, and the position of 

 public affairs weighed so strongly on his mind that in 1794 he seriously 

 thought of removing his home to America. He was completely cast down 



