During the years from 1858 to 1863 we engraved several grand drawings by Sir J. Noel Paton in illustration to a fine art edition of Professor Aytoun's "Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers," published by Messrs. Blackwood of Edinburgh. In a letter, dated October 8th, 1858, he says:
"DEAR SIRS,--Judging from your work in the 'Tennyson,' and from proofs now before me, I can with perfect security and confidence recommend the Messrs. Blackwood to entrust you with as many of my drawings as you care to undertake. Indeed I did so in those very words when, a few months ago, we were discussing this question of engraving, and I am quite ready to repeat my recommendation, though having, by my own desire, left the choice of engravers entirely in the hands of Messrs. Blackwood.
"I remain, Gentlemen, "Yours very truly, "J. NOEL PATON."
"_Yet a black and murky battlement Lay resting on the hill._"
_By permission of Messrs. William Blackwood & Sons._]
On returning parcels of touched proofs, he wrote the following letters:
"33 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH, _August 22, 1862_.
"GENTLEMEN,--I herewith return the three printed proofs touched upon, and by that you will kindly do your best to carry out the alterations indicated.
"The last proofs sent (eight in number) will be forwarded to Mr. Simpson to-day. They are, upon the whole, very satisfactory, though all, more or less, requiring _careful overhauling_, though through no shortcoming of yours, as the drawings have been wonderfully rendered. I would more especially mention as worthy of all praise, as specimens of engraving, 'The Melrose,' and the interior with figures, and the suit of armour. The latter is certainly very perfect.
"Your kind offer of a proof of Mr. Houghton's beautiful design, and your beautiful Engraving of the long-haired Lady with Children, I cannot refuse; though in what I said in my last, I merely meant to indicate the desire, which so many must feel, that high class things of that sort could be got by _themselves_ and printed in a manner worthy of their excellence--they are generally so indifferently printed in the Periodicals in which they appear and _dis_-appear.
"In haste. "Very faithfully yours, "J. NOEL PATON."
"Absence from Town, and other causes, has prevented me from acknowledging more promptly 15 proofs of your engravings for the 'Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers,' which, I am happy to say, are all very satisfactory indeed.