engraving, and
of the different methods of drawing on wood, such as that initiated by
the late Frederick Walker, A. R. A.; the styles of Mr. William Small, E.
A. Abbey, Alfred Parsons, etc.--does not come into the scope of this
publication, but it will be useful to refer to one or two opinions on
the American system.

"Book illustration as an art," as Mr. Comyns Carr pointed out in his
lectures at the Society of Arts ten years ago, "is founded upon wood
engraving, and it is to wood engraving that we must look if we are to
have any revival of the kind of beauty which early-printed books
possess. In the mass of work now produced, there is very little trace
of the principles upon which Holbein laboured. Instead of proceeding
by the simplest means, our modern artist seems rather by preference to
take the most difficult and complex way of expressing himself. A wood
engraving, it is not unjust to say, has become scarcely
distinguishable from a steel engraving excepting by its inferiority."

Mr. Hubert Herkomer, R. A., who has had a very wide experience in the
graphic arts, says:--

"In modern times a body of engravers has been raised up who have
brought the art of engraving on wood to such a degree of perfection,
that the most modern work, especially that of the Americans, is done
to show _the skill of the engraver_ rather than the art of the
draughtsman. This, I do not hesitate to say, is a sign of decadence.
Take up any number of the _Century_ or _Harper's_ magazines, and you
will see that effect is the one aim. You marvel at the handling of the
engraver, and forget the artist. Correct, or honest, drawing is no
longer wanted. This kind of illustration is most pernicious to the
student, and _will not last_....

"America is a child full of promise in art--a child that is destined
to be a great master; so let us not imitate its youthful efforts or
errors. Americans were the first to foster this style of art, and they
will be the first to correct it."

Mr. W. J. Linton, the well-known wood engraver, expresses himself thus
strongly on the modern system, and his words come with great force from
the other side of the Atlantic:--

"Talent is misapplied when it is spent on endeavours to rival
steel-line engraving or etching, in following brush-marks, in
pretending to imitate crayon-work, charcoal, or lithography, and in
striving who shall scratch the greatest number of