ADVERTISEMENT. 
When I first engaged in the Drawings which compose the following 
Work, I had no intention at the moment of presenting them to the Public 
in the form of a periodical publication ; as they were made under the pa- 
tronage of the late Robert Child, Esq. and honoured with a place in his 
library, at Upton in Warwickshire. But having so large a family, all 
under my roof, and dependant on my labours, and having only a pre- 
carious income, determinable on my decease, I thought it my indispen- 
sable duty to prepare against an event which must happen, and perhaps 
very shortly, by which they would not only be deprived of protection 
but support. 
On this occasion, I had frequent permission to consult a most respectable 
character in my neighbourhood, concerning the best means of placing my 
family in such a situation as might alford a reasonable hope of procuring, 
by their industry and exertion, a decent subsistence. 
Upon examining some specimens of their juvenile performances, that 
Gentleman was pleased to consider them as convincing proofs of early 
genius, which was worthy of cultivation. It is to his benevolence towards me 
and my family, that I am indebted for the suggestion of the present plan. 
As the greatest care and attention will be observed throughout this Work 
to render the Plates a faithful representation of the Subject, all that will be 
necessary in the descriptive part, will be to point out their respective Cha- 
