JOHN BEWICK. 



157 



King's carriage awaits his Majesty to take him to Windsor Castle, seen in 

 the distance. The subject of this block probably explains why King 

 George III. took such a deep interest in the manner in which it was executed, 

 as mentioned in the " Treatise on Wood Engraving." It there says that the 

 King " thought so highly of the cuts that he could not believe that they were 

 engraved on wood, and his bookseller, Mr. George Nicol, obtained for his 

 Majesty a sight of the blocks in order that he might be convinced of the fact 

 by his own inspection." Perhaps, however, as Chatto says, the King 



merely desired to see the blocks, as he was unacquainted with the difference 

 between wood and copper-plate engraving. The fourth title cut is a Tiger's 

 skin and head, with Eastern weapons for the hunting-field. The head-piece 

 shows an Otter in the foreground in the act of devouring a magnificent 

 salmon he has just caught. In the distance, and half hidden from the otter 

 by a projecting rock, some hunters with their dogs wait a favourable moment 

 to begin the chase of the unconscious animal. The tail-piece shows the death 

 of another otter caught beside its native waters. In almost every case 

 the engravings in "The Chase" have been carefully and beautifully 



George III. hunting. From " The Chase," by W. Somervile. 



