140 



THOMAS BEWICK. 



" The people of Ireland," he says, " ought instantly to be put upon a par 

 in every respect with their fellow-subjects." . . . . " Landowners in all 

 countries, as well as in Ireland, ought, as far as possible, to spend their 

 rents where they receive them. Where they do not do so, any country 

 is certain to become poor." Should this take place, he thinks there "would 

 then be no need to keep Ireland in subjection, like a conquered country, by an 

 expensive military force." The words written nearly sixty years ago are 

 almost prophetic in the accuracy of their description of the Ireland of 1882. 

 Universal suffrage he protested strongly against, because he says — 



" I conceive that the ignorant and the wicked ought to be debarred from voting 

 for anything ; they should neither be honoured with privileges nor employed in any 

 office of public trust ; a virtual representation is all-sufficient for them. Could 

 matters be so managed," he continues, " that none but sensible, honest men should be 

 allowed to vote, either for members of Parliament, or for any other public function- 

 ary, the country would in a short time put on a very improved appearance." 



For several years after this Bewick's whole existence appears to have been 

 absorbed in the production of his great work, and while he spent at least one 

 evening a week at " Swarley's Club," he worked during the others at the blocks 

 for the Birds. His children, too, were gathering about him, and, like a 

 faithful and affectionate parent, he felt the responsibility of their young lives, 

 and often spent hours in conversing with and instructing them. 



From a vignette in " The History of British Birds." 



