* CRUIKSHANK, GEORGE, was born in London about 1795. From his father, who was an artist of some standing, he acquired the principles of design, probably also of caricature, as the elder Cruikshank occasionally practised iu that line. But George was not brought up to follow his father's profession, and it was DOLL 10 time before he hit upon his right vocation : he is even said to have thought seriously of adopting the theatrical calling, and fur a while to have trod the stage. Ilie earliest designs were made for publishers of cheap song and children' books; but his satiric vein soon came to the surface, and in the 'Scourge,' and one or two other periodicals, he early showed his proficiency that way. Having become acquainted with Mr. ]Wiliam Hone, he found for some time abundant occupntioa in making designs for the political and other publications of that gentleumu. The Queen's trial in particular afforded him ample matter. One work, the ' Queen's Matrimonial Ladder,' for which he furnished the cuts, no caught the publio fancy that it quickly ran through some fifty editions. ' Non Ni Iticordo; the ' Political House that Jack Built; the ' Political Showman,' and 'A Slap at Slop, or the Bridge-Street Gang; had nearly equal SIMMS. But he soon began to tire of personal and political caricature, and after Mr. Hone ceased to publish works of that kind (about 1823-24), Mr. Cruikshank we believe did not, with very rare exceptions, make any more political designs. lie now turned to the illustration of humorous tnles, and the delineation of passing follies. Great as had been his succors in his former field, it was more than equalled In this There was a keenness of observation, n spirit And variety of expression, and a genuine humour—in a word, an unmistake able comic genius visible in these thoroughly original designs, which every one felt to be irresistible. It may fairly be doubted whether more hearty fun was ever embodied in designs than appeared in those which flowed with marvellous rapidity from Mr. Creikshaulee pencil between the yearn 1824.40. Before the first of these years he had been designing with great skill, but ems:imbed coarsely, n variety of aquatint plates for such works as "rem and Jerry' and 'Life in Paris;' about the last-named year he nailed into the sentimental latitudes, and spoiled his style by eking up his time to etching a reties of coarse plates for Jack Sheppard' and the Tower of London.' Among the
many admirable designs which belong to the intermediate period may be mentioned—the 'Points of Humour,' the exquisite illustrations to Peter Sehlemihl,' and Grimm'a German Tales;' the rough but excellent sketches for Hong's Every-Day Book,' Tom Thumb,' ' Three Courses and a Dessert,' and the ' Comic Almanac,' which he sustained with undimiuished ability for some dozen years; 'My Sketch-Book," Illustrations of Phrenology,' Illustrations of the Novelists,' and the illustrations to ' Loz ' and 'Oliver Twist.' Many of these were etched by Mr. Crnikahank himself with a great mastery over the nee ile, while some of those engraved on wood are among the best examples in their way of the wood-engraver's art.
After Mr. Cruikshank had tired of the dreary horrors of the Jack Sheppard school, lie returned with all his old power'to hls former style. But be now began to aspire to be a moral teacher, and iu the Bottle,' a series of eight plates, he illustrated, with as much earnest ness of purpose as Hogarth, the evils of gin-drinking. These plates, of for him an unusually large size, were published at a very low price, and had an enormous circulation. Their sale was zealously promoted by the temperance societies, and made the subjects of popular addressee and lectures. Mr. Cruikshank himself joined the teetotallers, and for some years past be has given up a large portion of his time and energy to the furtherance of the cause of total abstinence from intoxicating drinks. He is ouo of the moat frequent and effective speakers at pnblic meeting, and be enjoys among the members of the society a remarkable amount of well-earned popularity.
Durieg the last few years Mr. Cruikshank has chiefly occupied himself professionally with painting In oil. Among the pictures he has exhibited may be mentioned his Tam O'Shanter,"Dressing for the Day," Titania and Bottom the Weaver,' A Runaway Knock,' Cinderella,' and ' Disturbing the Congregation,' the last of which was purchased by Prince Albert, and has been recently engraved. All of these paintings show considerable humour and artistic skill, but they will never win such hearty admirers as his inimitable little etchings and wood-cuts.