particular kind of sculpture or engraving; denominated from the matter wherein it is employed.

It is used for various purposes; as for figured letters; head and tail pieces of books; and even for schemes and other figures, to save the expences of engraving on copper; and the prints and stamps for paper, calicoes, linens, &c.

The invention of cutting in wood, as well as that in copper, is ascribed to a goldsmith of Florence; but it is to Albert Durer and Lucas they are both indebted for their perfection. See Engraving and Printing.

One Hugo de Carpi invented a manner of cutting in wood, by means whereof the prints appeared as if painted in clair-obscuré. In order to this, he made three kinds of stamps for the same design; which were drawn one after another through the press for the same print: they were so conducted, as that one served for the grand lights, a second for the demi-teints, and a third for the outlines and the deep shadows.

The art of cutting in wood was certainly carried to a very great pitch above two hundred years ago; and might even vie, for beauty and justness, with that of engraving in copper. At present it is in a low condition, as having been long neglected, and the application of artists wholly employed on copper, as the more easy and promising province; not that wood- en cuts have the advantage of those in copper on many accounts; chiefly for figures and devices in books; as being printed at the same time and in the same press as the letters; whereas for the other there is required a particular impression. In the representation of plants and flowers, and in designs for paper-hangings, where the outline only is wanted to be printed in a bold full manner, this method will be found cheaper and more effectual than the use of copperplates.

The cutters in wood begin with preparing a plank or block of the size and thickness required, and very even and smooth on the side to be cut: for this, they usually take beech, pear-tree, or box; though the latter is the best, as being the closest, and least liable to be worm-eaten. The wood being cut into a proper form and size, should be planed as even and truly as possible: it is then fit to receive the drawing or chalking of the design to be engraved. But the effect may be made more apparent, and the ink, if any be used in drawing, be prevented from running, by spreading thinly on the surface of the wood white lead tempered with water, by grinding with a brush pencil, and afterwards rubbing it well with a fine linen rag whilst it is wet: and when it is dry, brushing off any loose or powdery part with a soft pencil.

On this block they draw their design with a pen or pencil, just as they would have it printed. Those who cannot draw their own design, as there are many who cannot, make use of a design furnished them by another; fastening it upon the block with paste made of flour and water, with a little vinegar or gum tragacanth; the strokes or lines turned towards the wood.

When the paper is dry, they wash it gently over with a sponge dipped in water; which done, they take off the paper by little and little, still rubbing it a little first with the tip of the finger; till at length there be nothing left on the block but the strokes of ink that form the design, which mark out so much of the block as is to be spared or left standing. Figures are sometimes cut out of prints, by taking away all the white part or blank paper, and cemented with gum-water to the surface of the wood. The rest they cut off, and take away very curiously with the points of very sharp knives, or little chisels or gravers, according to the bigness or delicacy of the work: for they need no other instruments.

It differs from engraving in copper, because in the former the impression comes from the prominent parts or strokes left uncut; whereas in the latter, it comes from the channels cut in the metal.

The manner of printing with wooden prints is much more expeditions and easy than that of copper-plate: because they require only to be dipt in the printing-ink, and impressed on the object in the same manner and with the same apparatus as the letter-printing is managed: and for purposes that do not require great correctness, the impression is made by the hand only, a proper handle being fixed to the middle of the print, by which it is first dipped in the ink, spread by means of a brush on a block of proportionable size covered with leather; and then lifted up instantly, and dropped with some little force on the paper which is to receive the impression.

Most of our readers are probably not ignorant that the art of engraving on wood has been revived of late years, and has been carried to great perfection by Messrs Bewick of Newcastle, and other ingenious artists. Of this number we may mention Messrs Nesbit and Anderson of London. The Natural History of Quadrupeds; in one volume 8vo, and the Natural History History of British Birds, in two volumes, published with engravings cut in wood by Messrs Bewick, are excellent specimens of the degree of perfection at which this art has arrived.