SIGISMUNDA.
This celebrated picture, which, at the time of first publishing the preceding volumes, was in the possession of Messrs. Boydell & Co., but has since been in other hands, was advertised to be sold by auction, with other effects, by Mr. Jacques, May 12, 1812, on the premises, Great James Street, Bedford Row, and was to be seen by applying for tickets for that purpose to the auctioneer.
THE BEGGARS' OPERA.
In addition to the value of this print as a collection of portraits, it may be observed that it contains the only known representation of the inside of the Lincoln's-Inn Fields Theatre. This playhouse was opened under the management of Betterton, with the comedy of Love for Love, which had a very considerable run. The Beggars' Opera, however, was of still superior attraction, and it carried all before it. After continuing open with various success for several seasons, the Lincoln's-Inn Fields playhouse finally closed, on the removal of the company to the new theatre in Covent Garden, and the building (the exterior of which is still entire) is now occupied as Spode's pottery warehouse.
SLEEPY CONGREGATION.
The clergyman preaching is supposed to represent Dr. Desaguliers. But why Hogarth has assigned him this post of honour, does not appear. This gentleman was the son of a French Protestant clergyman; was educated at Cambridge, and held the donative of Whitchurch, in Middlesex. He was the first lecturer on experimental philosophy in the capital, and published his lectures in two vols. 4to. He died at his lodgings at the Bedford Coffeehouse, Covent Garden, Feb. 29, 1744, and was buried, March 26, at the Savoy. He is spoken of as a man of considerable talents, but possibly might have had a peculiarly inanimate mode of delivering his sermons, which occasioned Hogarth's satire. The original painting from which this print was engraved was lately in the possession of the late John Follett, Esq., of the Temple, London. It differs in some little particulars from the print.
