The Works of William Hogarth: In a Series of Engravings | Page 2

copy."
The engraving of arms and shop-bills seems to have been his first
employment by which to obtain a decent livelihood. He was, however,
soon engaged in decorating books, and furnished sets of plates for
several publications of the time. An edition of Hudibras afforded him
the first subject suited to his genius: yet he felt so much the shackles of
other men's ideas, that he was less successful in this task than might
have been expected. In the mean time, he had acquired the use of the
brush, as well as of the pen and graver; and, possessing a singular
facility in seizing a likeness, he acquired considerable employment as a
portrait-painter. Shortly after his marriage, he informs us that he
commenced painter of small conversation pieces, from twelve to fifteen
inches in height; the novelty of which caused them to succeed for a few
years. One of the earliest productions of this kind, which distinguished
him as a painter, is supposed to have been a representation of Wanstead
Assembly; the figures in it were drawn from the life, and without
burlesque. The faces were said to bear great likenesses to the persons so
drawn, and to be rather better coloured than some of his more finished

performances. Grace, however, was no attribute of his pencil; and he
was more disposed to aggravate, than to soften the harsh touches of
Nature.
A curious anecdote is recorded of our artist during the early part of his
practice as a portrait painter. A nobleman, who was uncommonly ugly
and deformed, sat for his picture, which was executed in his happiest
manner, and with singularly rigid fidelity. The peer, disgusted at this
counterpart of his dear self, was not disposed very readily to pay for a
reflector that would only insult him with his deformities. After some
time had elapsed, and numerous unsuccessful applications had been
made for payment, the painter resorted to an expedient, which he knew
must alarm the nobleman's pride. He sent him the following card:--"Mr.
Hogarth's dutiful respects to Lord----; finding that he does not mean to
have the picture which was drawn for him, is informed again of Mr.
Hogarth's pressing necessities for the money. If, therefore, his lordship
does not send for it in three days, it will be disposed of, with the
addition of a tail and some other appendages, to Mr. Hare, the famous
wild beast man; Mr. H. having given that gentleman a conditional
promise on his lordship's refusal." This intimation had its desired effect;
the picture was paid for, and committed to the flames.
Hogarth's talents, however, for original comic design, gradually
unfolded themselves, and various public occasions produced displays
of his ludicrous powers.
In the year 1730, he clandestinely married the only daughter of Sir
James Thornhill, the painter, who was not easily reconciled to her
union with an obscure artist, as Hogarth then comparatively was.
Shortly after, he commenced his first great series of moral paintings,
"The Harlot's Progress:" some of these were, at Lady Thornhill's
suggestion, designedly placed by Mrs. Hogarth in her father's way, in
order to reconcile him to her marriage. Being informed by whom they
were executed, Sir James observed, "The man who can produce such
representations as these, can also maintain a wife without a portion."
He soon after, however, relented, and became generous to the young
couple, with whom he lived in great harmony until his death, which

took place in 1733.
In 1733 his genius became conspicuously known. The third scene of
"The Harlot's Progress" introduced him to the notice of the great: at a
Board of Treasury, (which was held a day or two after the appearance
of that print), a copy of it was shown by one of the lords, as containing,
among other excellences, a striking likeness of Sir John Gonson, a
celebrated magistrate of that day, well known for his rigour towards
women of the town. From the Treasury each lord repaired to the
print-shop for a copy of it, and Hogarth rose completely into fame.
Upwards of twelve hundred subscribers entered their names for the
plates, which were copied and imitated on fan mounts, and in a variety
of other forms; and a pantomime taken from them was represented at
the theatre. This performance, together with several subsequent ones of
a similar kind, have placed Hogarth in the rare class of original
geniuses and inventors. He may be said to have created an entirely new
species of painting, which may be termed the moral comic; and may be
considered rather as a writer of comedy with a pencil, than as a painter.
If catching the manners and follies of an age, living as they rise--if
general satire on vices,--and ridicule familiarised by strokes of Nature,
and heightened by wit,--and the