Page:Chats on old prints (IA chatsonoldprints00haydiala).pdf/129

 is dug out with a scooper and is 1-16th of an inch below the other portions of the block, and is not intended to appear in the work. Underneath is an illustration of the wood engraving printed from this block. It exhibits Bewick's early manner and is not so detailed in finish as some of his smaller wood engravings. The use of white line freely cut is noticeable. It will be seen by the upper illustration that the calf of the man's leg appears as a furrow scooped out which prints white in the wood engraving below. The broad use of white line is shown in the thigh; each of these lines is a free cut by the graver which prints as a white line.

Bewick founded a school at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and his influence in his own day and subsequently, up to a period immediately preceding 1860, was most marked. Among his best known work are his "British Quadrupeds," first published in 1790; his "History of British Birds," of which the first volume, "Land Birds," was published in 1797; the second volume on "Water Birds" appeared in 1804. His large edition of "Æsop's Fables" was issued in 1818, not to be confounded with his early prentice work on "Gay's Fables" done in 1779, or with his "Select Fables" engraved in 1784.

He has the merit of drawing with accurate detail the natural history subjects he illustrated. Of the "Birds" he contrived to convey a remarkably suggestive picture, with the plumage and especial markings ably represented. In addition, too, he puts poetic touches on woodland or moorland or river background which place his subjects in their