Chapman, J.G. (John Gadsby), 1808-1889. / The American drawing-
book: a manual for the amateur, and basis of study for the
professional artist: especially adapted to the use of public and
private schools, as well as home instruction. (1870 [1873
printing]) Chapter IX. Etching and engraving, pp. -278 254
ETOHING. and accuracy of execution, and in various other ways
assisting to a knowledge and command of the principles of
design, the art and practice of Etching deserves much higher
estimation, and earlier trial by learners, than it is generally
imagined to merit. The process is most simple. Any one who can
draw can etch; and in many respects it may be even easier to
produce a finished and effective result by the etching-point
than by either the pen or penciL 2. An etching is but a drawing
made with steel points or needles, set in convenient handlea
(which are held and managed as a pen or pencil), upon a plate of
metal over which there has been previously laid a black varnish,
or ground. The metal, laid bare by