MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 
21 
jutor with him in many of his works, was born in 
1760 — unfortunately for the arts anti for society, of 
which he was an ornament, died of a consumption, 
at the age of thirty-five. 
The early propensity of Thomas to observe natu- 
ral objects, and particularly the manners and habits 
of animals, and to endeavour to express them by 
drawing, in which, without tuition, he manifested 
great proficiency at an early age, determined his 
friends as to the choice of a profession for him. He 
was bound apprentice, at the age of fourteen, to Mr 
Ralph Beilby of Newcastle, a respectable copper- 
plate engraver, and very estimable man.* Mr Bewick 
might have had a master of greater eminence, but 
he could not have had one more anxious to encou- 
rage the rising talents of his pupil, to point out to 
* It is stated by the author of “ The Pursuit of Know- 
ledge under Difficulties,” forming a part of the Library of 
Entertaining Knowledge (we know not on what authority, 
but we think it probable,) that he was in the habit of ex- 
ercising his genius by covering the walls and doors of his 
native village with sketches in chalk of his favourites of 
the lower creation with great accuracy and spirit ; and that 
some of these performances chancing to attract Mr Beil- 
by's notice, as he was passing through Cherry- Bum, he was 
so much struck with the talent which they displayed, that 
he immediately sought out the young artist, and obtained 
his father’s permission to take him with him as his ap- 
prentice. 
