14
From _The Microcosm of London_

VAUXHALL GARDENS 15
From _The Microcosm of London_

DEATH'S DANCE 19
From _The Dance of Death_--Volume I.

HUNTING THE SLIPPER 20
From _The Vicar of Wakefield_

TOM AND JERRY IN THE SALOON AT COVENT GARDEN 25
From _Life in London_

ADVENTURES IN A WHISKEY PARLOUR 28
From _Real Life in Ireland_

RACE HORSE 34
From _The National Sports of Great Britain_

A NEW HUNTER 36
From _The Life of John Mytton_

MR. RIDGEWAY'S GOOD HEALTH 38
From _The Life of a Sportsman_

"O, GENTLEMEN, GENTLEMEN!" 39
From Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities

MR. JORROCKS' LECTURE ON 'UNTING 40
From _Handley Cross_

COLOURED TITLE PAGE 41
From _The Analysis of the Hunting Field_

SOME OLD ILLUSTRATED
BOOKS

I

It is an unromantic fact, but one which cannot fail to be of interest at
the present time, that the remarkable development of the graver's art in
England during the latter part of the eighteenth century was due, in a
measure at least, to--Protection. In the middle of the century our trade
in engravings was still an import one, English print-sellers being
obliged to pay hard cash for the prints they bought in France, since the
French took none in exchange. But with the accession of George III. a
better prospect dawned for the artist and engraver. The young King,
unlike his immediate predecessors, desired to patronise native talent;
no budding Hogarth should draw unflattering comparisons between himself
and the King of Prussia as an "Encourager of the Arts." And in spite of
the gibes of Peter Pindar, in spite of the royal preference for Ramsay
over Reynolds, it is probable that George III. was sincere in his desire
to stimulate the growth of British art. In 1769 the long-talked-of Royal
Academy was founded; while, for the benefit of the rising school of
English engravers, bounties were granted on the exportation of English
prints, and heavy duties imposed on the importation of French prints.
Politics and patriotism were not without their influence upon the trade,
many a good courtier being willing to help the cause by the purchase of
an inexpensive print,