The cuts in the Chase, on the whole, are superior in point of execution to those in the Poems of Goldsmith and Parnell. Many conceive it impossible that such delicate effects could be produced from blocks of wood, and his late Majesty (George III.) ordered his bookseller, Mr. George Nicolls, to procure the blocks for his inspection, that he might convince himself of the fact. [Illustration: _John Bewick, del._] [_T. Bewick, sculp._ SOMERVILE'S CHASE.] Speaking of the death of John Bewick, which took place at Ovingham on the 5th of December, 1795,--aged 35, a writer in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ says, "The works of this young artist will be held in estimation, and the engravings to 'Somervile's Chase' will be a monument of fame of more celebrity than marble can bestow." [Illustration: THE PEACOCK. (_Pavo cristatus_, Linn.----_Le Paon_, Buff.) (From Bewick's Land Birds.)] [Illustration: THE COMMON SANDPIPER. (Bewick's Water Birds).] [Illustration: THE WATER OUZEL. (Bewick's Water Birds.)] [Illustration: THE SNIPE. (Bewick's Water Birds.)] [Illustration: THE REDSTART. (Bewick's Water Birds.)] [Illustration: _FIRST STATE!_] "THE LITTLE HOUSE" and PIG, &C. "Snug in an English garden's shadiest spot A structure stands, and welcomes many a breeze; Lonely and simple as a ploughman's cot! Where monarchs may unbend who wish for ease." COLMAN'S--_Broad Grins_. [Illustration: _SECOND STATE!!_] Among the very many and all much admired Tail-pieces drawn and engraved by Bewick himself, the above, which, in its--_First state!_ is at page 285 of vol. i. of 'A History of British Birds,' 1797, has obtained by far the greatest notoriety. It appears that soon after publication, it was pointed out to Bewick that the nakedness of a prominent part of his subject required to be a little more covered--_draped_! So one of his apprentices was employed to blacken over with ink all the copies then remaining unsold. But by the time Bewick received the 'gentle hint,' a goodly number had been delivered to local subscribers and the London agents--Messrs. G. G. and J. Robinson. It is these '_not inked!_' copies that are now so readily sought after by all "Bewick Collectors." [Illustration: _THIRD STATE!!!_] For the next, and all subsequent editions a plug was inserted in the block, and the representation of two bars of wood engraved upon it, to hide the _part_! However, it seems that before the block was thus altered and amended, many impressions on various papers were taken of the--_First state!_ The late Rev. Hugo possessed several of such, one of which--_Proof on paper_--he gave me on the 10th of November, 1876.--C. H. [Illustration: THE WATER RAIL. (Bewick's Water Birds.)] [Illustration: THE RED-NECKED GREBE. (Bewick's Water Birds.)] [Illustration: THE CHILLINGHAM WILD BULL. Used in Richardson's Table Book, Vol. vi p. 15. Attributed to T. Bewick.]