"Just at that time of life when man by rule
The fop laid down, takes up the graver fool,
He started up a fop, and fond of show,
Look'd like another Hercules turn'd beau;
A subject met with only now and then,
Much fitter for the pencil than the pen.
Hogarth would draw him, Envy must allow,
Ev'n to the life,—were Hogarth living now."[166]
In the following letter written to his friend Mr. Wilkes, and dated August 3, 1763, Churchill considers Hogarth as already dead:—
"I take it for granted you have seen Hogarth's print against me. Was ever anything so contemptible? I think he is fairly felo de se. I think not to let him off in that manner, although I might safely leave him to your notes.[167] He has broken into my pale of private life, and set that example of illiberality which I wished; of that kind of attack which is ungenerous in the first instance, but justice in return.[168] I intend an elegy on him, supposing him dead; but *—— *—— tells me, with a kiss, he will be really dead before it comes out; that I have already killed him, etc. How sweet is flattery from the woman we love![169] and how weak is our boasted strength, when opposed to beauty and good sense with good-nature."