CH A P. VI.

Of the new way of engraving, or MEZZOTINTO, invented and communicated by bis HIGHNESS Prince RUPERT, COUNT PALATINE OF RHINE, &c.

WE

E have already advertised the reader in one of our preliminaries, why we did omit what had been by us prepared for the accomplishment of the more mechanical part of the CHALCOGRA~ PHICAL art: but it was not out of the leaft defign to abuse him in the title at the frontifpeice of this hiftory; fince we believed he would moft readily commute for the defect of a mystery fo vulgar, to be gratified with another altogether" rare, extraordinary, univerfally approved of, admired by "all who have confidered the effects of it, and, “which (as yet) has by none been ever published."

66

Nor may I, without extraordinary ingratitude, conceal that illuftrious NAME which did communicate it to me; nor the obligation which the curious have to that heroic PERSON, who was pleased to impart it to the world, though by fo incompetent and unworthy an inftrument.

It would appear a paradox, to discourse to you of a graving, without a graver, burin, point, or aqua fortis; and yet is THIS performed without the affiftance of either. That what gives our most perite and dextrous artists the greateft trouble, and is longest finishing, (for fuch are the hatches

and

and deepest shadows in plates) should be here the least considerable, and the most expeditious; that, on the contrary, the lights fhould be in THIS the most laborious, and yet performed with the greatest facility; that what appears to be effected with fo little curiofity, fhould yet fo accurately resemble what is generally efteemed the very greateft, viz. that a PRINT fhould emulate even the best of DRAWINGS CHIARO OSCURO, or (as the ITALIANS term it) peices of the MEZZOTINTO, fo as nothing either of UGO DA CARPI, or any of those other mafters who pursued his attempt, and whófe works we have already celebrated, have exceeded or indeed approached, efpecially for that of PORTRAITS, FIGURES, tender LANDSCHAPES, and HISTORY, &c. to which it seems moft appropriate and applicable.

This obligation then we have to his HIGHNESS PRINCE RUPERT, COUNT PALATINE OF RHINE, &c. who has been pleased to cause the inftruments to be exprefly fitted, to fhew me, with his own hands, how to manage and conduct them on the plate, that it might produce the effects I have fo much magnified, and am here ready to fhew the world, in a peice of his own illuftrious touching*, which he was pleased to honour this work withal, not as a venal addition to the price of the book (though for which alone it is most valuable) but a particular grace, as a fpecimen of what we have alleged, and to adorn this present chapter.

*The MEZZOTINTO in this edition, is an EXACT COPY of Prince RUPERT's, done by Mr. HoUSTON.

It

It is likewise to be acknowleged, that his HIGHNESS did indulge me the liberty of publifhing the whole manner and addrefs of this NEW WAY OF ENGRAVING, with a freedom perfectly generous and obliging. But, when I had well confidered it (fo much having been already expreffed, which may fuffice to give the hint to all ingenious perfons how it is to be performed,) I did not think it neceffary, that an ART fo curious, and (as yet) fo little vulgar (and which indeed does not fucceed where the workman is not an accomplished DESIGNER, and has a competent talent in PAINTING likewife) was to be prostituted at fo cheap a rate, as the more naked defcribing of it here would too foon have exposed it to.

Upon these confiderations then it is, that we leave it thus enigmatical: and yet that this may appear no difingenuous rodomontade in me, or invidious excufe, I profess myself to be always most ready (fub figillo, and by his HIGHNESS's permiffion) to gratify any curious and worthy perfon, with as full and perfect a demonftration of the entire art, as my talent and addrefs will reach to; if what I am now preparing to be reserved in the archives of the ROYAL SOCIETY concerning it, be not fufficiently inftructive.