A Quaker family are sitting at the dinner table and the father has his hands together as he gives thanks for the food. Mezzotint by Charles G. Lewis after Alexander Fraser.

"The art of engraving performs for painting what the press, in a more extensive sense, accomplishes for literature. They are both multipliers of genius, reproducing its most beautiful creations in the most distant lands, in every age, and among every people. In this manner Milton and Raphael, and Titian and Shakspeare, and Hogarth and Teniers, belong alike to every climate, and are regarded with equal veneration and enthusiasm. These thoughts passed rapidly through our minds as we gazed upon some of the exquisite prints on our table. Three of these — Asking a blessing, The widow's hope,and Robinson Crusoe reading the Bible to his man Friday, — are from the celebrated establishment of Hodgson and Graves, of Pall Mall, to whose enterprising spirit we already owe so many admirable productions. The first represents a small party of the interesting Society of Friends, invoking the blessing of Heaven upon their repast. The faces of the three, particularly that of the child, breathe a religious satisfaction and serenity. It is from the pencil of Mr. Alexander Fraser ..."--Church of England quarterly review, loc. cit.

"Asking a blessing. Another very pleasing subject, and a companion to the "Quiet Hour". We have no history of this print, which was engraved in mezzotint by Chas. G. Lewis from a painting by Alexander Fraser, and published in 1837 by Hodgson & Graves. A young Quaker husband and his wife have just seated themselves to dinner, and their little boy stands quietly by his mother's side while his parents pause, in the manner of Friends, in a silent "grace". The engraving is a marvel of delicate work ; the Quakeress's sheeny dress and high lace cap, the dinner service, and the child's toys lying on the floor, are all consummately rendered."--Whitten, loc. cit.

Interpreted by the Church of England quarterly review, loc. cit., and by Whitten as members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), possibly identifying the portrait bust in the background as of William Penn. Alternatively it might portray John Milton or John Wesley. The child's toys (spinning top, racket and shuttlecock) lie on the floor, right. The walls are unadorned

London (6, Pall Mall) : Hodgson & Graves, Printsellers to the King, Feby. 14 1837.

1 print : mezzotint ; platemark 35.5 x 40.5 cm

Asking a blessing. Painted by Alexr. Fraser. Engraved by Chas. G. Lewis. Artist's signature and date reproduced within the painting: Alex. Fraser 1836

The Church of England quarterly review, 1837, vol. 1, p. 627

Wilfred Whitten, Quaker pictures, London: Edward Hicks jun.r, 1892, p. 47

Wellcome Collection 28667i