Part 4
THOMAS BEWICK,
Thomas Bewick died at his house on the Windmill-Hills, Gateshead, November the 8th, 1828, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, and on the 13th he was buried in the family burial-place at Ovingham, where his parents, wife, and brother were interred.
THE CATNACH PRESS.
In addition to the full title of our work--"The History of the Catnach Press"--the two Catnachs--John and James--father and son, we deem it necessary to incidentally introduce into our pages some notice of Alnwick, an ancient borough, market-town and parish of Northumberland, also a few passing remarks on the life and doings of Mr. William Davison, who, in conjunction with the elder Catnach as a business partner and subsequent successor, employed Thomas Bewick--an English artist, who imparted the first impulse to the art of wood-engraving--for many of their publications.
Of the early life of John Catnach, (_Kat-nak_), the father, we have little information. He was born in 1769, at Burntisland, a royal burgh and parish of Fifeshire, Scotland, where his father was possessed of some powder-mills. The family afterwards removed to Edinburgh, when their son John was bound apprentice to his uncle, Sandy Robinson, the printer. After having duly served out his indentures, he worked for some short time in Edinburgh, as a journeyman, then started in a small business of his own in Berwick-upon-Tweed, where he married Mary Hutchinson, who was a native of Dundee, a seaport-town in Scotland. While at Berwick a son and heir, John, was born. In 1790 they removed their business to Alnwick, and during their residence there seven children were born to them and from the Register of Baptisms in St. Michael's Church we glean that four of them were baptised at one time, viz., September 24, 1797, and there described as "of John Catnach, printer, and Mary his wife: Dissenter."[?] John Catnach had been brought up in the Roman Catholic faith, and his wife as a Presbyterian. The following is taken _verbatim_ from the Parish Register:--
Sep{t.} 24, 1797.
Margaret, Daug{r.} of John Catnach, printer, and Mary his Wife. Born Dec{r.} 26{th}, 1790. Dissenter.
James, son of John Catnach, printer, and Mary his Wife. Born August 18{th}, 1792. Dissenter.
Mary, Daug{r.} of John Catnach, printer, and Mary his Wife. Born February 26{th}, 1794. Dissenter.
Nancy, Daug{r.} of John Catnach, printer, and Mary his Wife. Born Sep{r.} 2{nd}, 1795. Dissenter.
May 23, 1798.
Elizabeth Catnach. Born March 21, 1797, 4{th} Daughter of John Catnach, printer, native of Burnt Island, Shire of Fife, by his wife Mary Hutchinson, Native of Dundee, Angus Shire, Scotland.
Dec{r.} 14, 1798.
Isabella Catnach. Born Nov{r.} 2, 1798. 5th Daughter of Jn{o.} Catnach, Stationer, Nat. of Scotland, by his wife, Mary Hutchinson, Nat. of Dundee, Angus Shire, Scotland.
March 28, 1800.
Jane Catnach, 6{th} Daughter of John Catnach, printer, Native of Edinburgh (_sic_) by his wife Mary Hutchinson, Native of Dundee, Scotland.
To the above we have to add that there were two sons--John, born to John and Mary Catnach. John I. who was born at Berwick-upon-Tweed, died August 27, 1794, aged 5 years and 7 months, and we find him duly recorded in the Register of Deaths. John II., whose name appears at the end of the inscription on a tombstone in Alnwick churchyard, and of which further mention will be made in another portion of our work, died, presumably unbaptized, March 5, 1803, aged 4 months.
John Catnach was not long a resident in the borough of Alnwick before he became acquainted with many of the principal tradesmen in the place. Naturally he was of a free-and-easy disposition, and, like many of his kinsman on the Borders, was particularly fond of the social glass. The latter practice he allowed to grow upon him in such a way that it ultimately interfered very much with his business prospects, and finally hastened his death.
The shop that he commenced business in, was situated in Narrowgate-street, and adjoining the old Half-Moon hostelry. In gaining access to the place one had to ascend a flight of steps. Whilst in this shop he secured a fair amount of patronage, and the specimens of printing that emanated from his press are of such a character as to testify to his qualifications and abilities in the trade which he adopted as his calling. He possessed a fond regard for the traditions and customs which for centuries had been so closely associated with the Border country.
When the printing press was first introduced into Alnwick is not exactly known; but that it was considerably before the time of Catnach is certain. John Vint, the bookseller and author of the "Burradon Ghost," for several years used a press for printing purposes in the town, and Thomas Lindsay carried on a similar business at a still earlier period.
John Catnach had a great relish for printing such works as would admit of expensive embellishments, which, at the time he commenced business, were exceedingly rare. The taste he displayed in the execution of his work will be best exemplified in examining some of the printed editions of the standard works which emanated from his press; and in no instance is this more characteristically set forth than in those finely printed books which are so beautifully illustrated by the masterly hand of Thomas Bewick and his accomplished and talented pupil, Luke Clennell. Notably among which are:--
1.--"The Beauties of Natural History. Selected from Buffon's History of Quadrupeds, &c. Alnwick: J. Catnach, [n. d.] _Circa_ 1790, 12mo., pp. 92. With 67 cuts by Bewick."--Another edition. Published and Sold by the Booksellers. By Wilson and Spence, York, and J. Catnach, printer, Alnwick. (Price 1_s._ 6_d._ sewed, or 2_s._ half-bound.) [n. d.] _Circa_ 1795.
The embellishments of "The Beauties of Natural History" form an unique and valuable collection. They are very small and were done at an exceedingly low price, yet every bird and animal is exquisitely brought out in the minutest detail; whilst many of the illustrations which served as "tail pieces" are gems of art.
2.--"Poems by Percival Stockdale. With cuts by Thomas Bewick. Alnwick: printed by J. Catnach. 1800."
3.--"The Hermit of Warkworth. A Northumberland Ballad. In three Fits. By Dr. Thos. Percy, Bishop of Dromore. With Designs by Mr. Craig; and Engraved on Wood by Mr. Bewick. Alnwick: Printed and Sold by J. Catnach. Sold by Lackington, Allen, and Co., London; Constable and Co., Edinburgh; and Hodgson, Newcastle. 1806." The Arms of the Duke of Northumberland precedes the Dedication, thus:--
TO HER GRACE FRANCES JULIA, DUCHESS OF NORTHUMBERLAND, _This Edition of_ THE HERMIT OF WARKWORTH, Is respectfully Inscribed By Her Grace's Obliged and Humble Servant, J. CATNACH
ALNWICK, _October, 1805_.
4.--A Second Edition; of which a few copies were printed on extra thick paper, royal 8vo., to match with some of his other works, illustrated by Bewick, pp. xiv., 182, with 13 cuts. At the end of the Poem are a Postcript, a Description of the Hermitage of Warkworth, Warkworth Castle, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Abbey, and A Descriptive Ride in Hulne Park, Alnwick: Printed and Sold by J. Catnach. Sold by Wilson and Spence, York. 1807.
THE HERMIT OF WARKWORTH.
"And now, attended by their host, The hermitage they view'd."
With hospitable haste he rose, And wak'd his sleeping fire: And snatching up a lighted brand, Forth hied the reverend sire.
* * * *
He fought till more assistance came; The Scots were overthrown; Thus freed me, captive, from their bands, To make me more his own.
The illustrations of "The Hermit of Warkworth" are, upon the whole, very creditable, and are well calculated to enhance the value of the book, but as works of art some few of them fall far short of many of Craig or Bewick's other productions.
John Catnach also printed and published a series of Juvenile Works, as "The Royal Play Book: or, Children's Friend. A Present for Little Masters and Misses." "The Death and Burial of Cock Robin, &c. ADORNED WITH CUTS.--Which in many cases were the early productions of Thomas Bewick.--Alnwick: Sold Wholesale and Retail by J. Catnach, at his Toy-Book Manufactory."
In the year 1807, John Catnach took an apprentice--a lad named Mark Smith, of whom more anon; a few months afterwards he entered into partnership with a Mr. William Davison, who was a native of Ponteland, in the county of Northumberland, but he duly served his apprenticeship as a chemist and druggist to Mr. Hind, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and for whom he ever cherished a fond regard. The union was not of long duration--certainly under two years--but it is very remarkable that two such men should have been brought together, for experience has shown that they were both morally and socially, the very opposite of each other.
During the partnership: Mr. Davison held his business of chemist, &c., in Bondgate-street; while the printing and publishing continued at Narrowgate-street, and among the works published by the firm of CATNACH and DAVISON we may record:--
"The Minstrel; or, The Progress of Genuis. In Two Parts. With some other Poems. By James Beattie, LL.D. With sixteen Cuts from Designs by Mr. Thurston; and engraved on Wood by Mr. Clennel, Alnwick. Printed by Catnach and Davison. Sold by the Booksellers in England and Scotland. 1807. 12mo. and Royal 8vo., pp. 142."
"The Grave. A Poem. By Robert Blair. To which is added Gray's Elegy. In a Country Church Yard. With Notes Moral and Explanatory. Alnwick: Printed by Catnach and Davison. Sold by the Booksellers in England, Scotland, and Ireland. 1808. 12mo., pp. xiv., 72. With a frontispiece and other cuts by Thomas Bewick."
THE GRAVE.
"Prone, on the lowly grave of the dear man She drops; whilst busy meddling Memory, In barbarous succession, musters up The past endearments of their softer hours Tenacious of its theme."
After the dissolution of the strange partnership, Mr. Davison still prosecuted with vigour the several departments of the business; for although reared to the prescribing of physics, he had a fine taste and relish for the book trade, and the short time that he was with Catnach enabled him to acquire a good amount of valuable information on this subject. Be this as it may, he soon laid the basis of a large and lucrative business. About the first work Mr. Davison issued on his own account was:--
THE REPOSITORY OF SELECT LITERATURE.
Being an Elegant Assemblage of Curious, Scarce, Entertaining and Instructive Pieces in Prose and Verse. Adorned with beautiful Engravings by Bewick, &c. Alnwick: Printed by W. Davison. Sold by the Booksellers in England and Scotland. 1808.
This work is a fine specimen of provincial book-printing; its pages are adorned with some of Bewick's excellent cuts. There is one that we would particularly refer to, and that is "Shepherd Lubin." In size it is very small, but, like most of Bewick's pieces, sufficiently large to show the inimitable skill of the artist. The picture tells its own tale:--
"Young Lubin was a shepherd's boy, Who watched a rigid master's sheep, And many a night was heard to sigh, And may a day was seen to weep."
"The History of Crazy Jane, by Sarah Wilkinson, with a frontispiece by Bewick: Alnwick. Printed by W. Davison; _and Sold by all the Principal Booksellers in England and Scotland_. 1813."
"The Poetical Works of Robert Burns. Engravings on Wood by Bewick, from designs by Thurston. Alnwick: Printed by Catnach and Davison, 1808." And London: Printed for T. Cadell and Davis, Strand, 1814. With cuts previously used in Davison's publications.
"Many of the engravings produced for Burns' Poems, are of a very superior class, and cannot be too highly commended."--_Hugo._
"The Poetical Works of Robert Ferguson, with his Life. Engravings on Wood by Bewick. ALNWICK: Printed by W. Davison."
Mr. Davison, following up the actions of his former partner, had a great regard for the standard poets. Previous to the issuing of the poems of Ferguson they had tried to imbue a better taste into the minds of the general reader, by means of publishing nothing but what was of an elevating character. And this will be seen by examining such works as Buffon, Beattie, Percy, Burns, &c. Almost simultaneously with the poems of Burns appeared those of Ferguson. Both works are uniform in size and price--_viz_: 2 vols., Foolscap 8vo.--12s. in boards; they contain some of Bewick's choicest and most exquisite wood-engravings.
"The Northumberland Minstrel: A Choice Selection of Songs. Alnwick: Printed by W. Davison."
There were only three numbers of this work published,[4] each of which contained 48 pages. The object of this undertaking was for the carrying out a project which at that time was becoming very popular, and consisted in bringing together in a collected form some of the best and most admired of our ballad-poetry. In fact, the object Mr. Davison had in view was only to extend what had been so successfully accomplished by Herd, Ramsay, Motherwell, Ritson, and others.
Mr. Davison continued in business at Alnwick up to the time of his death, in 1858, at the ripe age of 77. He was by far the most enterprising printer that had settled in the North of England. His collection of wood blocks was very large, and it is hardly possible to form an adequate conception of the many hundreds of beautiful specimens which he possessed. He stated that he had paid Thomas Bewick upwards of five hundred pounds for various woodcut blocks. With a view of disposing of some of his surplus stock, he printed and published in 4to., a catalogue:--"NEW SPECIMENS OF CAST-METAL ORNAMENTS AND WOOD TYPES, SOLD BY W. DAVISON. ALNWICK. With impressions of 1,100 Cast Ornaments and Wood Blocks, many of the latter executed by Thomas Bewick." This Catalogue--now exceedingly rare--is of the greatest interest and utility, as it embraces a series of cuts dispersed, as Mr. Hugo plainly shows, among a considerable number of publications, and enables those who collect Bewick's pieces to detect the hand of the Artist in many of his less elaborated productions.
Those of our readers who desire more information as to the many books printed by W. Davison, the Alnwick publisher, are referred to "The Bewick Collector," and the Supplement thereto, by the Rev. Thomas Hugo, M.A., &c. London: 1866-68. These volumes, illustrated by upwards of two hundred and ninety cuts, comprise an elaborate descriptive list of the most complete collection yet formed of the works of the renowned wood-engravers of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Not only to Bewick collectors, but to all persons interested in the progress of Art, and especially of wood-engraving, these volumes, exhibiting chronologically the works of the Fathers of that Art in England, cannot fail to be of the highest interest.
Mr. Davison printed and published a series of Halfpenny Books; they are not only well printed, but in addition to this it is not unusual to see them illustrated by some of Thomas Bewick's choicest engravings. Mr. Hugo possessed twenty-seven in number, the titles of which he enumerates in his "Bewick Collector" and the Supplement thereto: adding the remarks that follow:--
"The cuts in these little publications are for the most part the same which were used by Davison in the other and more important works which issued from his press. The volumes are in 32mo, and in typographical excellence are far in advance of all other children's books of the period of their publication with which I am acquainted."
Herewith we publish one of the series from our own private collection. The justness of Mr. Hugo's opinion will be at once seen.
THE GUESS BOOK, A COLLECTION OF _INGENIOUS PUZZLES_.
ALNWICK: Published and Sold by W. Davison.
_Price One Halfpenny_,
2
a b c d e
f g h i j k
l m n o p
q r s t u v
w x y z &
3
THE
GUESS BOOK.
THE MOON.
There was a thing a full month old, When Adam was no more; But ere that thing was five weeks old, Adam was years five score.
4
_Guess Book._
A CAT.
In almost every house I'm seen, (No wonder then I'm common), I'm neither man, nor maid, nor child, Nor yet a married woman.
5
_Guess Book._
A CANNON.
I am the terror of mankind, My breath is flame, and by its power I urge my messenger to find A way into the strongest tower.
6
_Guess Book._
AN OWL.
My patron is Wisdom--if Wisdom you prize, In me put your confidence, borrow my eyes, Who into a mill-stone can see quite as far As the best of you all, by the light of a star.
7
_Guess Book._
A TOP.
I ne'er offend thee, Yet thou dost me whip, Which don't amend me, Though I dance and skip; When I'm upright, Me you always like best, And barbarously whip me When I want rest.
8
_Guess Book._
BOOKS.
With words unnumber'd I abound; In me mankind do take delight; In me much learning's to be found; Yet I can neither read nor write.
9
_Guess Book._
A DRUM.
My sides are firmly Lac'd about, Yet nothing is within: You'll think my head Is strange indeed, Being nothing else but skin.
10
_Guess Book._
A SAND-GLASS.
Made of two bodies join'd, Without foot or hand; And yet you will find I can both run and stand.
11
_Guess Book._
TIME.
Ever eating, never cloying, All devouring, all destroying, Never finding full repast Till I eat the world at last.
12
_Guess Book._
DEATH.
The gate of life, the cause of strife, The fruit of sin, When I appear, you drop a tear, And stay within.
13
_Guess Book._
A PAIR OF SHOES.
To rich and poor We useful are; And yet for our reward, By both at last We're thrown away, Without the least regard.
14
_Guess Book._
A SQUIRREL.
I am a busy active creature, Fashion'd for the sport of nature, Nimbly skip from tree to tree, Under a well-wrought canopy; Bid Chloe then to Mira tell What's my name and where I dwell.
15
_Guess Book._
A FISH.
Though it be cold I wear no clothes, The frost and snow I never fear; I value neither shoes nor hose, And yet I wander far and near.
[Signature: John Catnach]
AT NEWCASTLE.
"There is no fooling with Life, when it is once turned forty: the seeking of a Fortune then is but a desperate after-game: it is a hundred to one if a man fling three sixes, and recover all; if his hand be no luckier than mine."--_Cowley._
In or about the latter part of the year 1808, John Catnach, with his wife and family, left Alnwick for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and commenced business in a small shop in Newgate-street, and among other Works which he printed there, mention may be made of "The Battle of Chevy Chase," a selection from the works of "Dr. Samuel Johnson, in two volumes," and "The Life of John Thompson, Mariner. Written by Himself: Also, his Divine Selections, in Prose and Verse. _From esteemed Authors._ Embellished with steel Engravings. Newcastle: _Printed for the Author_. By J. Catnach, Newgate-street. 1810. 12mo., pp. lxxvi., 214. With two tail-pieces by Thomas Bewick."
John Thompson, _alias_ Godfried Thomas Leschinsky, born at Riga, 1782, was a seaman. He sailed with Nelson's fleet to Copenhagen, 1801. Continuing at sea he endured many hardships from severe accidents and ill health, and was at length discharged as not being fit for his Majesty's service. In 1806, while in the Infirmary at Newcastle, one of his legs--from old injuries, rapidly mortified and had to be amputated. Subsequently, in consequence of the bones and joints of his right hand decaying, his arm was taken off below the elbow. He for years made a living out of his misfortunes and assumed piety. Catnach was induced, by specious reasoning, to undertake the printing of the book, but the eleemosynary author dying just as it was all worked off but not bound, he had the whole of the stock thrown on his hands to do the best he could with. There were between fifty and sixty claims set up by persons who averred that they had in part, or whole, paid for a copy each to the author on signing his subscription list, and most of these claims were allowed on the payment of sixpence extra: the work was subscribed for at 3s. 6d., but being extended to 20 pages more than was expected, the price was advanced to 4s.
John Catnach, at Newcastle, worked attentively for awhile, but without finding his expectations realised. Alas! time and the change of scene and companions had not improved the man. He contrived to get into a great amount of debt, without the least possible chance, from his irregular mode of living, of being able to pay it off. Eventually, he made up his mind for the worst, and the downward course would seem to have been the only way open to him. From bad to worse, and from one extreme to the other, he rapidly drifted. The loose and irregular manner in which he had existed was beginning to tell upon his constitution. His business had been neglected, and his adventures were nearly at a climax. The wreck came, with a terrific blow; but it was not unlooked for. Poor Catnach was a bankrupt, and as such sent to the debtor's gaol. But just before, he had managed to send his wife and daughters to London, together with a wooden printing press, some small quantity of type, and other articles of his trade that could be hurriedly and clandestinely got together.
During the five years' residence of John and Mary Catnach in Newcastle, they had one child, Isabella, burned to death, and another, Julia Dalton, born to them.
Mr. Mark Smith, who had been bound apprentice to John Catnach, but by reason of whose removal from the Borough of Alnwick, the indentures had been rendered void, was then in London, serving out his time as a turnover and improver with Mr. John Walker, of Paternoster Row, and on being made acquainted with the arrival of Mrs. Catnach and her family, paid them a visit at their lodgings in a court leading off Drury-lane, and assisted in putting up the press and arranging the other few matters and utensils in connection with their tiny printing office, there to await John Catnach's release from prison and arrival in the metropolis.