Note 38 — JOHN LEECH

As I write, the decease of that admirable artist and engraver is reported from New Haven, U.S.A. W. J. Linton was born in London in 1812, and had therefore attained a venerable age, spending the latter portion of his life in America. During an extremely active career he produced, among other literary works, a valuable and comprehensive history of the art of which he was undoubtedly the most capable exponent. Mr. Linton, who may justly be termed the father of modern wood-engraving, carried on the tradition of Bewick, and was a thorough champion of the "white-line school." As a zealous Chartist he took an active and prominent part in politics, and, in addition to this, he was a voluminous writer both in poetry and prose, his works including "The English Republic," "Claribel, and other Poems," "A Life of Whittier," &c.