Born in London, Abraham Raimbach (1776 1843) was one of the most celebrated engravers of his time. Published in 1843, these memoirs recount his career and give expanded first-hand observations on contemporary artists and public figures. Included is an extensive account of his two months in Paris in 1802, including impressions of its people and food (on frog's legs: 'I did not much like the flavour'), together with details of the numerous works of art he viewed. He muses on the possible reasons for the higher social standing afforded to artists in France than in Britain, and seems concerned,...