has engraved a fine portrait of the notorious Judge Jeffreys after Kneller (worth £3 15s.), showing a physiognomy in defiance of all Lavater's laws, and seemingly representing a mild-mannered beau of gentle mien. In latter days mezzotint became the paramount art of engraving, and line found its most powerful exponents in the wonderful French school in the days of Louis XIV., while in England the growth of mezzotint engraving developed to such an extent that it became almost the English manner. Among the last of the long line of portrait engravers in line are Jacobus Houbraken, a Dutch engraver, and George Vertue (1684-1756), a London engraver, buried in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey. In the "Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain," published in 1747, some of their best work may be found. There is overmuch ornamentation in scroll and border. The portrait is almost killed by the design in which it is set. This over-elaboration of frame dates from early days, and in all portrait-prints this tendency to appropriate detail is detrimental to the main object. The scholar has his tomes of philosophy or poetry, and the soldier has his border of artillery and the gorgeous panoply of war. Prints from these two engravers are not difficult to find at a reasonable sum for the modest collector. They vary considerably in price, and this is probably owing to their biographic or literary importance, Vertue's Ben Jonson is worth £10, his Swift £4, his Dryden may be had for 10s., or his Thomas
