£1 
v^n Copper' in Alto Relievo. 
The new art of engraving upon copper, which Mr Lizars has 
invented, is a substitute for wood engraving, in the same man- 
ner as lithography is a substitute for copper-plate engraving ; 
but while Mr Lizars has given us a cheaper art for a more ^ex- 
pensive one, he has also given us a more perfect art for one 
which is full of imperfections. The invention of lithography, on 
the contrary, was the substitution of an imperfect for a perfect 
art, and whateA^er progress it may yet make, we can never ex- 
pect it to exhibit that union <of bold and delicate touches by 
which stroke engraving is characterised. 
In Avood f engraving, as Avill be seen from the vignette on the 
cover of our Number, all the white parts are cut beloAv the 
general surface of the wood, while all the black lines Avhich 
constitute the picture, are left on the level of the general sur- 
face. Hence, it is impracticable to hatch or to leave upon the 
surface of Avood elevated lines, which cross each other, Avith» 
out cutting out tlie small Avhite lozenges, Avhich would be a 
work of enormous labour, and by no means perfect, even if 
it could be accomplished. All the shadings, therefore, in wood 
engravings, are formed by parallel lines, Avhich never cross 
one another, as will be seen in the vignette already men- 
tioned. In copper-plate engraving, on the contrary, all the 
black lines are cut below the general surface, while the Avhite 
parts correspond with the general surface of the copper. 
The art of hatching is therefore extremely easy in this art, and 
we have only to cross the lines cut out by the engraver in the 
same manner as we do them in drawing with the pen. 
These observations will prepare the reader for understanding 
Mr Lizars’ invention, and for forming a correct estimate of its 
value. 
The following account of it has been kindly communicated to 
us by himself. 
In the operation of engraving, the desired eifect is produced 
by making incisions upon the copper-plate with a steel instrument 
of an angular shape, which incisions are filed Avith printing- 
ink, and transferred to the paper by the pressure of a roller, 
which is passed over its surface. There is another mode of pro- 
ducing these lines or incisions by means of diluted nitrous acid^ 
