JOHN BEWICK. 



55 



that of " The Chase," a poem by William Somervile. It was published by 

 Bulmer in 1796, and containing, like the Poems, work both by Thomas and 

 John Bewick, is as interesting a volume for the Bewick collector as can be 

 desired. On the title-page is a cut of a Sportsman and four pointers waiting 

 to commence the pursuits of the day. The address or preface which follows, 

 written by Bulmer, and dated May 20th, 1796, gives an account of his 

 dealing with John Bewick, and being written in a sympathetic strain, again 

 makes manifest the appreciative employer he was to the delicate young artist. 

 It proceeds : — 



" Unfortunately for his friends and the admirers of the art of en- 

 graving on wood, I have the painful task of announcing the death of my early 

 acquaintance and friend, the younger Mr. Bewick. He died at Ovingham, on the 

 banks of the Tyne, in December last of a pulmonary complaint. Previously, how- 

 ever, to his departure from London for the place of his nativity, he had prepared and 

 indeed finished on wood the whole of the designs except one which embellish the 

 Chase ; they may therefore literally be considered as the last efforts of this ingenious 

 and much to be lamented artist." 



The engraving of the blocks drawn by John was executed by Thomas 

 Bewick. Bulmer sent word to him to take up the work unfortunately left 

 unfinished by his brother, and in a letter dated December 10th, 1795, Bulmer 

 asks him to make " a bold effort to finish them in the specified time." This 

 letter, given in the Memoir, goes on to say that " the whole number is only 

 twelve blocks, besides the vignette for the title. Many of the tail-pieces are 

 small. I wish fine execution in them, I confess, but yet there must be that 

 happy mixture of engraving in them that will at the same time produce a bold- 

 ness of effect." Bulmer also says in the address that Thomas, in executing the 

 engravings, had bestowed every possible care on them, and the beautiful effect 

 produced from the joint labours of the brothers would, he had no doubt, meet 

 with approbation. Thomas was, besides his usual carefulness, most likely 

 to be actuated by a desire to produce engravings of the very highest quality 

 for the sake of the brother he had taught and laboured to make a true artist, 



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