Part 1

BIOGRAPHICAL ANECDOTES OF WILLIAM HOGARTH;

WITH A CATALOGUE OF HIS WORKS CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED; AND OCCASIONAL REMARKS.

[BY JOHN NICHOLS.]

THE THIRD EDITION, ENLARGED AND CORRECTED.

LONDON: PRINTED BY AND FOR JOHN NICHOLS, IN RED-LION-PASSAGE, FLEET-STREET. M DCC LXXXV.

CONTENTS

Page MEMORANDUM. iii ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. v ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FIRST EDITION. vii DETAILS OF MR. CRAYEN'S GERMAN EDITION. viii INDIVIDUALS CONSULTED BY THE AUTHOR. xv COLLECTORS OF HOGARTH. xvi CONCERNING HOGARTH'S ORIGINAL WORKS. xvii BIOGRAPHICAL ANECDOTES OF HOGARTH. 1 CATALOGUE OF HOGARTH'S PRINTS. 120 POSTSCRIPT. 455 ADDITION. 460 APPENDIX NO. 1. 461 NO. 2. 492 NO. 3. 502 GENERAL INDEX TO HOGARTH'S PLATES. 527 NEW BOOKS PUBLISHED BY J. NICHOLS.

MEMORANDUM.

Respect and gratitude having engaged me to compile a memoir of my deceased Master and Patron Mr. BOWYER, in the same performance I included anecdotes of all the eminent persons any way connected with him. A note of about a page's length was allotted to HOGARTH. While it was printing, Mr. WALPOLE'S Fourth Volume on the subject of English Painters came out, and was followed by an immediate rage for collecting every scrap of our Artist's designs. Persevering in my enquiries among my friends, I had now amassed so much intelligence relative to these engravings, that it could no longer be crowded into the situation originally meant for it. I was therefore advised to publish it in the form of a sixpenny pamphlet. This intended publication, however, grew up by degrees into a three-shilling book, and, within a year and a half afterwards, was swelled into almost its present bulk, at the price of six shillings. Such was the origin and progress of the following sheets, which, with many corrections, &c. have now reached a Third Edition.

_J. N._

_Nov._ 10, 1785.

ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

The author of these imperfect sheets cannot present them a second time to the world, before he has expressed his gratitude for the extreme candour with which they have been treated by the _Monthly Reviewers_. If _J. N._ has not availed himself of all the corrections designed for his service, it is because the able critic who proposes them has been deluded by intelligence manifestly erroneous. _J. N._ received each particular he has mentioned, in respect to the assistance bestowed on _Hogarth_ while his _Analysis_ was preparing, from Dr. _Morell_, a gentleman who on that subject could not easily mistake. Implicit confidence ought rather to be reposed in a literary coadjutor to the deceased, than in any consistory of females that ever "mumbled their wisdom over a gossip's bowl." Authors rarely acquaint domestic women with the progress of their writings, or the proportion of aid they solicit from their friends. If it were needful that Dr. _Morell_ should translate a _Greek_ passage[1] for _Hogarth_, how chanced it that our artist should want to apply what he did not previously understand? I must add, that the sentiments, published by the _Reviewer_ concerning these _Anecdotes_, bear no resemblance to the opinion circulated by the cavillers with whom he appears to have had a remote connection. The parties who furnished every circumstance on which he founds his reiterated charges of error and misinformation, are not unknown. Ever since this little work was edited, the people about Mrs. _Hogarth_ have paid their court to her by decrying it as "low, stupid, or false," without the slightest acknowledgement for the sums of money it has conducted to _The Golden Head_ in _Leicester Fields_. While the talents of the writer alone were questioned by such inadequate judges of literary merit, a defence on his part was quite unnecessary. He has waited, however, with impatience for an opportunity of making some reply to their groundless reflections on his veracity. This purpose he flatters himself will have been completely executed after he has observed that all credentials relative to his disputed assertion shall be ready (as they are at this moment) for the Reviewer's inspection. _J. N._ cannot indeed dismiss his present advertisement without observing, that though the amiable partialities of a wife may apologize for any contradiction suggested by Mrs. _Hogarth_ herself, the _English_ language is not strong enough to express the contempt he feels in regard to the accumulated censure both of her male and her female Parasites.

_J. N._

_Nov._ 1, 1782.

[1] Whereabouts is this translation of a _Greek_ passage to be found in the Analysis? It may have escaped my hasty researches.

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FIRST EDITION.

When this pamphlet was undertaken, the Author had no thought of swelling it to it's present bulk; but communicating his design to his friends, they favoured him with various particulars of information. Some of these accommodated themselves to his original plan, if he can be supposed to have had any, but others were more intractable. Still aware of the value even of disjointed materials, which his profession would not afford him leisure to compact into a regular narrative, and conscious that these sheets, rude and imperfect as they are, may serve to promote a publication less unworthy of its subject, he dismisses his present work without any laboured apology for the errors that may be detected in it; claiming, indeed, some merit on account of intelligence, but not the least on the score of arrangement or composition. He takes the same opportunity to observe, that many curious anecdotes of extraordinary persons have been unfortunately lost, because the possessors of those fugitive particulars had not the power of communicating them in proper form, or polished language, and were unwilling to expose them in such a state as these are offered to the world.

_May_ 9, 1781.

The ingenious Mr. CRAYEN of _Leipzig_ having translated the First Edition of these Anecdotes, &c. into the _German_ Language, dispatched a copy of his work to _J. N._ attended by the obliging letter here subjoined:

SIR,

Though I have not the honour of being acquainted with you, I hope your goodness will excuse the liberty I take of sending you a _German_ translation of the _Biographical Anecdotes of Mr. Hogarth_ you published. Being convinced of the merits of your production, and its usefulness to such collectors of prints and connoisseurs in our country as don't understand the _English_ language, I undertook this translation, and flatter myself you will be pleased to accept of it as a proof of my real esteem for you.

You will find, that I did not always adhere literally to the original, but made some abridgments, alterations, notes, &c. &c. But I hope you will do me the justice to consider, that I wrote for my countrymen, and therefore left out such passages, poems, anecdotes, &c. &c. as would have been entirely uninteresting to them, and have swelled the volume to no purpose.

As to the typographical performance, I think you will be tolerably satisfied of it. Though the noble art of printing is of _German_ origin, your nation has improved and brought it to the highest pitch of perfection in point of neatness, elegance, and correctness.

I remain, with all possible esteem,

SIR,

Your most obedient

and most humble servant,

A. CRAYEN.

_Leipzig_ in _Saxony,_ the 29th _Jan._ 1783.

* * * * *

The following are Translations, by a Friend, from the Dedication and PREFACE to Mr. CRAYEN'S performance.

* * * * *

DEDICATION.

To Mr. GOTTFRIED WINKLER, in _Leipzig_;

HONOURED and WORTHY FRIEND,

Pardon my presumption in offering you the slender fruit of a few leisure hours. Receive it with your wonted kindness, and judge of it not by the trifling value of the work, but by the intention of its Author, whose most zealous wish has long been to find an opportunity of publickly offering you, however small, a memorial of his respect and friendship.

If my labour in adding a mite towards the diffusion of the knowledge of the Arts, is honoured with the approbation of so enlightened a Connoisseur, I shall feel myself completely rewarded.

Receive at the same time my sincerest thanks for the obliging communication of your Copy of _Hogarth's_ prints, of which, in my translation, I have more than once availed myself.

Live, honoured Sir, many days; happy in the bosom of your worthy family, in the circle of your friends, and in the enjoyment of those treasures of the Arts you have collected with such distinguished taste. Remain also a friend of

Yours, &c.

THE TRANSLATOR.

* * * * *

PREFACE.

To the GERMAN READER.

Collectors of the Fine Arts were already possessed of _Catalogues_ and _Memoires Raisonnées_ of the engravings of many great masters, for which their acknowledgements are due to the industry of a _Gersaint_, a _Jombert_, a _Hecquet_, a _Vertue_, a _de Winter_, &c. &c.

But a similar illustration of HOGARTH'S copper-plates was still wanting; though it may be asked what works have a juster claim to a distinguished place in a compleat collection, than those of this instructive moral painter, this creative genius?

On this account, it is presumed that the _German_ Lover of the Arts will deem himself indebted to the Translator, for giving him, in his own tongue, a concise and faithful version of a book that has lately made its appearance in _London_, under the title of "Biographical Anecdotes of _W. Hogarth_, and a Catalogue of his Works chronologically arranged."

The Compiler as well as Editor of this work is Mr. JOHN NICHOLS, a _Printer_ and _Bookseller_ in _London_, who, by much reading, and an intimate acquaintance with the Arts and Literature of his Country, has honourably distinguished himself among his professional brethren. How modestly he himself judges of this his useful performance, appears from his preface to the work.

It is true, Mr. HORACE WALPOLE, who possesses perhaps the compleatest collection of the prints of this Master, some years ago published a Catalogue of them; but this is only to be found in his work, intituled, "_Anecdotes of Painting in England collected by G. Vertue, and published by H. Walpole_," a performance consisting of four volumes in 4to, too costly for many collectors, and inconvenient for others. Moreover all that is to be found there relative to _Hogarth_, is not only included in Mr. _Nichols's_ publication, but is also improved by considerable additions, so that the curious reader has _Walpole's_ Catalogue incorporated with the present work.

The liberty of abridgement, as mentioned in the title, is ventured only in regard to such diffuse illustrations, repetitions, anecdotes, and local stories, as would be alone interesting to an _Englishman_; in a word, in such parts as do not immediately contribute to the illustration of _Hogarth's_ plates, and would have tired the patience of the _German_ reader. Of the verses affixed to each copper-plate the first and last words only are given, as those afford sufficient indication for a collector who wishes to become acquainted with any particular print. How far some remarks of the Translator are useful, or otherwise, is left to the indulgent decision of Judges in the Arts.

He must not however forget it is his duty to acknowledge the goodness of old Mr. HANSEN of _Leipsig_. This gentleman's readiness in permitting him to examine his excellent collection of the engravings of _British_ artists, for the purpose of comparing and illustrating several passages in the original of this work, claims his warmest thanks, and a public acknowledgement.

_Leipsig, February_ 1783.

THE TRANSLATOR.

List of Gentlemen, Artists, &c. who furnished incidental intelligence to the Author of this Work.

Mr. _Ashby_. Mr. _Basire_. Mr. _Baynes_. Mr. _Belchier_--dead. Mr. _Bindley_. Mr. _Birch_. Mr. _Bowle_. Mr. _Braithwaite_. Mr. _Browning_. Lord _Charlemont_. Mr. _Charlton_. Mr. _Cole_--dead. Mr. _Colman_. Mr. _Coxe_. Mr. _Dodsley_. Dr. _Ducarel_--dead. Mr. _Duncombe_. Mr. _Edwards_. Mr. _Forrest_--dead. Mr. _Foster_--dead. Mr _Goodison_. Mrs. _Gostling_. Mr. _Gough_. Mr. _Hall_. Sir _John Hawkins_. Mr. _Henderson_. Mrs. _Hogarth_. Dr. _Hunter_--dead. Mr. _S. Ireland_. Dr. _Johnson_--dead. Mr. _Keate_. Bishop of _Kilala_. Mr. _Lane_. Mrs. _Lewis_. Mr. _Livesay_. Dr. _Lort_. Mr. _Lyon_. Mr. _Major_. Mr. _Malone_. Dr. _Monkhouse_. Dr. _Morell_--dead. Mr. _Morrison_. Mr. _Pinkerton_. Mr. _Rayner_. Mr. _Reed_. Sir _Joshua Reynolds_. Mr. _Richards_. Mr. _Rogers_--dead. Mr. _Rumsey_. Mr. _Steevens_. Mr. _Thane_. Mr. _Thomas_. Mr. _Tyers_. Mr. _Waldron_. Mr. _Walker_. Mr. _J. C. Walker_. Mr. _Walpole_. Dr. _Warton_. Mr. _Way_. Mr. _Welch_--dead. Mr. _Whately_. Mr. _B. White_. Mr. _H. White_. Mr. _Wilkes_. Mr. _Williams_. Dr. _Wright_.

COLLECTORS of HOGARTH.

Mr. AYTON.[1] Mr. BEDFORD. Mr. BELLAMY. Mr. CLARE. Mr. CRICKITT. Dr. DUCAREL.[2] Lord EXETER. Mr. FOSTER.[3] Mr. GOODISON. Mr. GULSTON. Sir JOHN HAWKINS, Kt. Mr. HENDERSON.[4] Mr. IRELAND. Dr. LORT. Mr. MORRISON. Mr. ROGERS.[5] Mr. STEEVENS. Mr. WALPOLE. Mr. WINDHAM.[6]

[1] His collection was cut up, and sold at _Dickinson's, New Bond Street_.

[2] Died _May_ 29, 1785. His collection devolves to his Nephew and Heir, Mr. DUCAREL, lately returned from _The East Indies_.

[3] Died _Oct._ 3, 1782. His improved collection sold at _Barford's_ auction rooms, late _Langford's, March_ 4, 1783, for £.105. Mr. CRICKITT was the Purchaser.

[4] Mr. HENDERSON sold his collection to Sir JOHN ELLIOT for £.126 in _April_ 1785.

[5] Died _January_ 2, 1784. His collection remains with his Nephew and Heir, Mr. COTTON, F. S. A.

[6] The Right Hon. _William Windham_, M. P. for _Norwich_.

Extract from the DAILY ADVERTISER, _January_ 27, 1783.

"HOGARTH'S ORIGINAL WORKS.

"As an opinion generally prevails, that the genuine impressions of _Hogarth's_ works are very bad, and the plates retouched; Mrs. _Hogarth_ is under the necessity of acquainting the public in general, and the admirers of her deceased husband's works in particular, that it has been owing to a want of proper attention in the conducting this work for some years past, that the impressions in general have not done justice to the condition of the plates; and she has requested some gentlemen most eminent in the art of engraving, to inspect the plates, who have given the following opinion:

"_London, Jan._ 21, 1783.

"We, whose names are underwritten, having carefully examined the copper-plates published by the late Mr. _Hogarth_, are fully convinced that they have not been retouched since his death.

"FRANCIS BARTOLOZZI. WM. WOOLLET.[1] WM. WYNNE RYLAND.[2]

"N. B. All[3] the original works are now properly and well printed, and to be had of Mrs. _Hogarth_, at her house at _The Golden Head_, in _Leicester-Fields_."

This is one of the most extraordinary testimonials ever laid before the public. _Hogarth_ died in 1764. Since that time his plates have been injudiciously and unmercifully worked, so as to leave no means of ascertaining, through any observation or process of art, the exact period when they were last repaired. Notwithstanding this difficulty, in the year 1783, we find several engravers of eminence declaring their full conviction on the subject. All we can do is, to suppose their confidence was grounded on the veracity of Mrs. _Hogarth_. I believe the parties as to the fact; and yet it was impossible for Messieurs _B. W._ and _R._ to be adequate judges of the truth to which they have set their names as witnesses.

[1] Died _May_ 23, 1785.

[2] Executed _Aug._ 29, 1783.

[3] By "_all_ the original works," Mrs. _Hogarth_ means only such plates as are in her possession. See page xx, where a great number of others, equally original, are found.

Prints _published by_ Mr. HOGARTH: _Genuine Impressions[1] of which are to be had at_ Mrs. HOGARTH'S _House in_ Leicester Fields, 1782.

Size of the plates in inches l. s. d.

16 by 14 Frontispiece 0 3 0 15½ by 12½ Harlot's Progress, six prints 1 1 0 16 by 14 Rake's Progress, eight prints 2 2 0 18 by 15 Marriage a-la-mode, six prints 1 11 6 19 by 15½ Four Times of the Day, four prints 1 1 0 16½ by 13 Before and After, two prints 0 5 0 18½ by 13½ Midnight Conversation 0 5 0 16 by 14 Distress'd Poet 0 3 0 16 by 14 Enraged Musician 0 3 0 18 by 14 _Southwark_ Fair 0 5 0 20¾ by 16½ _Garrick_ in King _Richard_ III. 0 7 6 18 by 12 _Calais_, or the Roast Beef of _Old England_ 0 5 0 20½ by 16 _Paul_ before _Felix_ 0 7 6 Ditto, Ditto, with Alterations 0 6 0 20½ by 16½ _Moses_ brought to _Pharaoh's_ Daughter 0 7 6 22 by 17 March to _Finchley_ 0 10 6 Ditto, Strolling Actresses dressing in a Barn 0 5 0 Ditto, Four Prints of an Election 2 2 0 19½ by 12 Bishop of _Winchester_ 0 3 0 14 by 10½ Idleness and Industry, 12 prints 0 12 0 14 by 9 Lord _Lovat_ 0 1 0 10½ by 8½ Sleeping Congregation 0 1 0 12 by 8½ Country-Inn Yard 0 1 0 14 by 10½ _Paul_ before _Felix, Rembrant_ 0 5 0 9 by 8 Various Characters of Heads 0 2 6 6½ by 7½ _Columbus_ breaking the Egg 0 1 0 12 by 8½ The Bench 0 1 6 15 by 13 _Beer Street_ and _Gin Lane_, two prints 0 3 0 Ditto, Four Stages of Cruelty, four prints 0 6 0 15 by 12½ Two Prints of an Invasion 0 2 0 Ditto, A Cock Match 0 3 0 9 by 8 The Five Orders of Periwigs 0 1 0 17 by 13 The Medley 0 5 0 12 by 9½ The Times 0 2 0 12¾ by 9 _Wilkes_ 0 1 0 10 by 11 Bruiser 0 1 6 9 by 7½ _Finis_ 0 2 6

_N. B._ Any person purchasing the whole together may have them delivered bound, at the Price of Thirteen Guineas; a sufficient Margin will be left for framing.--The ANALYSIS of BEAUTY, in Quarto, may also be had, with two explanatory Prints, Price 15 Shillings.

[1] _Genuine_ impressions--Query, the meaning of such an epithet in this place?

_Credite Posteri!_

In the years 1781, 1782, &c. the following Pieces of HOGARTH are known to have been sold at the prices annexed.

Lord _Boyne_. 5 5 0 Charmers of the Age. 5 5 0 _Booth, Wilks_,&c. 5 5 0 Discovery. 3 3 0 Altar-piece. 1 11 6 _Rich's_ Glory. 4 4 0 _Beaver's_ Military Pun. 3 3 0 _Blackwell's_ Figures. 1 16 6 Boys peeping, &c. 1 1 0 _Apuleius._ 1 16 6 _Cassandra._ 1 11 6 _Beer Street_ with Variat. 1 1 0 Large _Hudibras_. 5 5 0 March to _Finchley_ Aq. F. Proof. 2 2 0 Do. finished, without letters. 5 5 0 Festoon. Rt for _Rich._ III. 1 1 0 Power of Atty. _F. Hosp._ 1 16 9 Orator _Henley_. 1 1 0 _Huggins._ 3 3 0 Witch. 3 3 0 Jacobite's Journal. 2 11 6 _Judith_ and _Holophernes_. 1 1 0 _Sarah Malcolm._ 2 2 0 Large Masquerade. 2 2 0 Small, first impression. 1 16 6 _Scots_ Opera. 0 15 0 Woman swearing, &c. 1 1 0 Lady _Byron_. 1 1 0 _Hogarth_ with Dog. 2 2 0 Do. Serjeant Painter. 2 2 0 Do. scratched over. 2 2 0 _Perseus_ and _Andromeda_. 2 2 0 First Distrest Poet. 1 1 0 Do. Enraged Musician. 1 1 0 _Motraye._ 2 2 0 Bench, first impression. 1 1 0 _Burlington Gate._ 1 1 0 _Sancho_ at Dinner. 1 1 0 First Election. 3 3 0 Fair. 1 1 0 Farmer's Return. 0 10 6 _Gulliver_. 0 10 6 _Hen._ VIII. and _A. Bullen_ 1 1 0 _Herring_, proof impression. 1 1 0 _Hogarth_, Engr, Shop Bill. 1 1 0 _Morell._ 0 10 6 _Pine._ 0 10 6 Coat of Arms, Sir _G. Page_,&c. 2 2 0 Times, first impression. 1 1 0 Master of the Vineyard. 2 2 0 _Turk's_ Head. 2 2 0 Harlot's Progress, first impression, red. 10 10 0 Marriage Alamode. 3 3 0 Rake's Progress. 6 6 0 Four Times. 2 2 0 Prentices, 1st impression. 4 4 0 Elections, 1st impression. 6 6 0 _Garrick_ in _Rich._ III. 1 1 0 Gate of _Calais_. 0 15 0 _Paul_ burlesqued. 1 1 0 Strolling Actresses. 1 12 6 Three additional Prints to _Beaver_, &c. 2 2 9 _Milward's_ Ticket. 4 4 0 Music introduced to _Apollo_. 1 11 6 _Martin Folkes_, mezzotinto 0 10 6 _Spiller's_ Ticket. 5 5 0 Two plates to _Milton_. 2 2 0 Frontispiece to _Leveridge's_ Songs. 1 12 6 Concert. St. _Mary's_ Chapel. 5 5 0

HOGARTH.

This great and original Genius is said by Dr. _Burn_ to have been the descendant of a family originally from _Kirkby Thore_,[1] in _Westmoreland_: and I am assured that his grandfather was a plain yeoman, who possessed a small tenement in the vale of _Bampton_, a village about 15 miles North of _Kendal_, in that county. He had three sons. The eldest assisted his father in farming, and succeeded to his little freehold. The second settled in _Troutbeck_, a village eight miles North West of _Kendal_, and was remarkable for his talent at provincial poetry.[2] The third, educated at _St. Bee's_, who had kept a school in the same county, and appears to have a man of some learning, went early to _London_, where he resumed his original occupation of a school-master in _Ship Court_ in _The Old Bailey_, and was occasionally employed as a corrector of the press. A _Latin_ letter, from Mr. _Richard Hogarth_, in 1697 (preserved among the MSS. in _The British Museum_, N° 4277. 50.) relates to a book which had been printed with great expedition. But the letter shall speak for itself.[3]

A Dictionary in _Latin_ and _English_, which he composed for the use of schools,[4] still exists in MS. He married in _London_; and our Hero, and his sisters _Mary_ and _Anne_, are believed to have been the only product of the marriage.

WILLIAM HOGARTH[5] is said (under the article THORNHILL in the _Biographia Britannica_) to have been born in 1698, in the parish of _St. Bartholomew,[6] London_, to which parish, it is added, he was afterwards a benefactor. The outset of his life, however, was unpromising. "He was bound," says Mr. _Walpole_, "to a mean engraver of arms on plate." _Hogarth_ probably chose this occupation, as it required some skill in drawing, to which his genius was particularly turned, and which he contrived assiduously to cultivate. His master, it since appears, was Mr. _Ellis Gamble_, a silversmith of eminence, who resided in _Cranbourn-street, Leicester-fields_. In this profession it is not unusual to bind apprentices to the single branch of engraving arms and cyphers on every species of metal; and in that particular department of the business young _Hogarth_ was placed;[7] "but, before his time was expired, he felt the impulse of genius, and that it directed him to painting."

During his apprenticeship, he set out one _Sunday_, with two or three companions, on an excursion to _Highgate_. The weather being hot, they went into a public-house, where they had not been long, before a quarrel arose between some persons in the same room. One of the disputants struck the other on the head with a quart pot, and cut him very much. The blood running down the man's face, together with the agony of the wound, which had distorted his features into a most hideous grin, presented _Hogarth_, who shewed himself thus early "apprised of the mode Nature had intended he should pursue," with too laughable a subject to be overlooked. He drew out his pencil, and produced on the spot one of the most ludicrous figures that ever was seen. What rendered this piece the more valuable was, that it exhibited an exact likeness of the man, with the portrait of his antagonist, and the figures in caricature of the principal persons gathered round him. This anecdote was furnished by one of his fellow apprentices then present, a person of indisputable character, and who continued his intimacy with _Hogarth_ long after they both grew up into manhood.