It may be said generally in 1877, that Caldecott disliked drawing for "process," and that after years of experience, and having achieved most successful results by photographic engraving, he remained faithful to the wood engraver. The delicate little drawings in brown ink, which were dispersed in hundreds under the auctioneer's hammer in June, 1886, had nearly all been photographed on to wood blocks.
In June, 1877, Caldecott—staying at Shaldon, Teignmouth, South Devon, for the benefit of his health, chafing under enforced idleness and "debarred by the doctors from all sport," as he says—writes a letter with the following little sketch of "Waiting for a Boat."
"Waiting for a Boat."
"The weather has been unwell for many of the days, and has much interfered with the intellectual occupation of enticing 'dabs' on to hooks let down into the sea by pieces of string and concealed by shreds of mussels.
"On only one occasion have I been engaged in this exciting pursuit—all chases and pursuits are more or less exciting—but this one on that account can hardly be considered 'detrimental' to my health. There were three of us in the boat when I engaged in the sport. We had a large can of fine mussels. We threw out the lines and hauled them in every now and then, for three good hours, being about a mile out to sea. Two whole dabs were the result. I was quite calm as we rowed home.
"I do not boast of this exploit, although the larger dab was at least seven inches long by four and a half wide, and fully 3/8 of an inch thick. Still I glow a little as I recount his measurements."
Many illustrations were made in the autumn of 1877 for the Graphic and other publications which need not be detailed. A painting of one of his favourite hunting scenes was also in progress, in spite of dark days and delicate health.