146 



JOHN BEWICK. 



thought, and relations united together with highest mastery." The blocks 

 were done from tracings by John Bewick which are still in existence, and 

 they preserve much of that precise, neatly drawn work for which Holbein is 

 famous. Though Bewick's execution is a little rough, they bear evidence 

 of having been wrought by one who knew well how to handle the graver. 

 Bell, in his Catalogue, states — 



"The work went through only three editions, the blocks being destroyed by fire 

 in London. The third edition is much inferior to the two first. Charnley, of Newcastle, 

 at a subsequent time, reprinted the title, inserting his own name in lieu of Hodgson's, 

 but retaining the original date. Another edition of this work, with woodcuts resem- 

 bling those of Bewick, but much inferior, was published in London at a subsequent 

 period, but has the same number of cuts, and is also of great rarity." 



The letter from Thomas Bewick to John, previously quoted, dated January 

 9th, 1788, says: — 



" I am much pleased with the cuts for ' Death's Dance,' and wish much to have 

 the book when it is done. I am surprised that you would undertake to do them for 

 6s. each. You have been spending your time and grinding out your eyes to little pur- 

 pose indeed. I would not have done them for a farthing less than double that sum. 

 I showed them to Mr. Edwards, a very capital and eminent [scene] painter, as well as 

 a very worthy man. He approved much of them, but was surprised when I told him 

 the price you had for them." 



We cannot wonder, on reading a letter which tells of such hard working for 

 so paltry sums, that John Bewick was not long able to stand the anxiety and 

 toil of London life. Unfortunately, although he worked constantly, he was not 

 able always to give lasting beauty to his blocks. In the same year as the letter 

 just quoted was written, the " New Robinson Crusoe" was issued with thirty- 

 two illustrations, called on the title " beautiful cuts." They are, nevertheless, 

 very badly drawn and most carelessly engraved; and though more than a 

 dozen are signed, they are altogether discreditable to John Bewick's reputa- 

 tion as an engraver. Indeed, unless they had been signed they might easily 

 be supposed to be the work of a vastly inferior artist. 



