"Messrs. Dalziel."
"His mother she prepared a feast—
Great stores of venison and wine."
"The Salamandrine."—Dr. Charles Mackay.
By Sir John Gilbert, R.A., P.R.W.S.
By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.
Early in 1852 we were commissioned by Messrs. Ingram and Cook, who had then added a book publishing business to their other operations, to engrave the pictures for an édition de luxe of Dr. Charles Mackay's beautiful and fantastical poem "The Salamandrine," which Sir John Gilbert had undertaken to illustrate; and it may be confidently said that of the thousands of drawings which he afterwards made he never surpassed the charm and grace of his manipulative skill as shown in this exquisitely decorated volume. The book was very beautifully got up and most perfectly printed. Of our labour and part in the production, perhaps it may be sufficient to quote a short note Dr. Mackay wrote to us on the subject:
"December 27th, 1852.
"My dear Sir,—I cannot but express to you and your brother how gratified and obliged I feel for the care you have bestowed upon the illustrations for 'The Salamandrine.' I think they are triumphs of the art of wood engraving, and I sincerely hope that your efforts will be amply rewarded not only in present and future reputation but in pecuniary advantages.