MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 
27 
Bign, a correctness of outline, an exactness of attitude, 
and a discrimination of general character, which con- 
vey, at the first glance, a just and lively idea of each 
different animal. The figures were accompanied by 
a clear and concise statement of the nature, habits, 
and disposition of each animal : these were chiefly 
drawn up by his able coadjutors, Mr Beilby, his part- 
ner, and his printer Mr Solomon Hodgson ; subject, 
no doubt, to the corrections and additions of Mr 
Bewick. In drawing up these descriptions, it was 
the endeavour of the publishers to lay before their 
readers a particular account of the quadrupeds of our 
own country, especially of those which have so ma- 
terially contributed to its strength, prosperity, and 
happiness, and to notice the improvements which an 
enlarged system of agriculture, supported by a noble 
spirit of generous emulation, has diffused through- 
out the country. 
But the great and, to the public in general, unex- 
pected, charm of the History of Quadrupeds, was 
the number and variety of the vignettes and tail- 
pieces, with which the whole volume is embellished. 
Many of these are connected with the manners and 
habits of the animals near which they are placed ; 
others are, in some other way, connected with them, 
as being intended to convey to those who avail them- 
