£58 
CHAPTER OF CRITICISM. 
|[We agree with some of Mr. Hall’s observations, and should be glad to notice 
an improvement in several of the illustrations; but every ornithologist extensively 
acquainted with illustrated publications on Natural History, is fully aware of the 
small proportion of first-rate engravings which they commonly contain, and that 
in works of an inferior grade tolerable cuts are quite the exception. With these 
facts in view, and gratified with the admirable character of the letter-press, we 
could not but speak highly of so spirited an undertaking as that under considera¬ 
tion, but at the same time considered it requisite to give a hint with regard to 
the character of the wood-cuts, as a suggestion for future improvement. We 
consider the engravings in Mr. Yarrell’s numbers, on the whole, superior to 
those of most works of a similar character, whether containing w T ood-cuts or 
coloured plates. To Bewick’s they at least bear a very fair comparison, the 
rough style of that artist’s work in many cases alone sufficing to carry off the 
otherwise obvious defects of position, &c. Thus while the modern finished style 
of wood-cutting takes in the public in general, Bewick’s off-hand and frequently 
coarse workmanship—in addition to the partiality naturally felt for an old 
favourite—tends, we doubt not, in many instances to veil similar defects from 
more critical observers. Many of BEWick’s figures (i. e. as regards outline, &c.) 
would at once be unmasked if finished by an artist of our own day.—The modern 
wood-cutters are, beyond all question, advanced far beyond Bewick in their art ; 
but in the case of works on Natural History they either copy bad drawings or 
specimens, or else lack all knowledge of and taste for Natural Science; and in 
neither case are the artists to blame. Who that is acquainted with the birds in 
their native haunts, and after inspecting the engravings on India-paper in the 
second volume of The Naturalist , will venture to affirm that we possess no 
ornithological artist to be compared to Bewick ? The engraver ought not merely 
to be eminent as a wood-cutter, but as an engraver of birds, should copy from good 
specimens or drawings, and be superintended by a competent artist. The parties 
concerned in the publication of the work which has given rise to these observa¬ 
tions, know all this as well as we do, but then comes the question, would the 
sale of the book remunerate for so much trouble and expense ? We believe that 
it would not, and that the majority of the public are perfectly satisfied with the 
engravings as they at present get them. Why, then, need the publisher put 
himself to an expense which will prove a loss to him, merely to please a few 
ornithologists ? The reply is obvious : he need not, and therefore will not, saddle 
any such trouble or expense upon himself. Mr. Hall, however, believes that 
the deterioration will greatly diminish the sale of the work. All we can say is, 
we wish it would , and should hail with pleasure so powerful a demonstration of 
the progress of Natural History in Britain. Our correspondent wrote with the 
view of exposing the character of the wood-cuts in Mr. Yarrell’s work, and 
