[VIII]
THE “VILLAKIN” AT CHISWICK, AND THE END
The “villakin” at Chiswick where, from 1749, Hogarth spent the summers, is not very accessible. The most romantic, if the slummiest route, is to walk from Hammersmith Bridge through riverside alleys and by sedate Thames terraces to Chiswick Mall. Then turn up through the village, virtually unspoilt, a lane of old London still treated with respect. At the beginning of the village the churchyard flanks the street, and if you look through the gates you will see Hogarth’s conspicuous, important, and ugly tomb. If you obtain admittance to the churchyard you will find carved upon the tomb a mask, a laurel wreath, maul-stick, palette, pencils, the title of his unfortunate book, “The Analysis of Beauty,” and his epitaph, written by Garrick:—
“Farewell, great painter of Mankind!
Who reach’d the noblest point of Art,
Whose pictur’d Morals charm the Mind,
And through the Eye correct the Heart.
If Genius fire thee, Reader, stay:
If Nature touch thee, drop a Tear;
If neither move thee, turn away,