Page:Life of William Blake, Gilchrist.djvu/308

 CHAPTER XXII.

A KEEN EMPLOYER. 1805–7. [ÆT. 48–50.]

Hayley succeeded a patron who will give even less pecuniary help, but a more efficient introduction to the public. This was R. H. Cromek, hitherto an engraver, now turning print-jobber and book-maker, who, at this period, discovered Blake. The slighted artist sorely needed a discoverer; he and his wife being now, according to Cromek, 'reduced so low as to be obliged to live on half a guinea a week.' 'Living' must here mean board; for weekly rent alone would amount to that sum. Thus interpreted, the statement is not an exaggerated one of Blake's straitened resources at this and other periods of his life.

During 1804 to 1805 had been produced that series of Drawings illustrative of Blair's Grave, by which, from the accident of their having been afterwards really published and pushed in the regular way, Blake is most widely known — known at all, I may say—to the public at large. It is the only volume, with his name on its title-page, which is not 'scarce.' These drawings Blake had intended engraving and publishing himself. They were seen, however, admired, and purchased, by engraver Cromek—'engraver, printseller, publisher, author—and Yorkshireman.' He gave, according to Smith, 'the insignificant sum of one guinea each for them,' but, in fact, about a guinea and a half; 'on the express understanding,' adds Smith, 'that the artist was to engrave