2. Gin Lane. I have been told that in a print in the collection of Lord Exeter there are numerous though trifling variations; but I never saw it.[130]
Of their intentions, Hogarth gives the following account:—"When these two prints were designed and engraved, the dreadful consequences of gin-drinking appeared in every street. In Gin Lane, every circumstance of its horrid effects is brought to view in terrorem. Idleness, poverty, misery, and distress, which drives even to madness and death, are the only objects that are to be seen; and not a house in tolerable condition but the pawnbroker's and gin-shop.
"Beer Street, its companion, was given as a contrast, where that invigorating liquor is recommended in order to drive the other out of vogue. Here all is joyous and thriving: industry and jollity go hand in hand. In this happy place the pawnbroker's is the only house going to ruin; and even the small quantity of porter that he can procure is taken in at the wicket, for fear of further distress."
3. The Four Stages of Cruelty—
Plate 1. Shadows strengthened.
Plate 2. Shadows heightened.
Plate 3. The whole print somewhat darker.
Plate 4. This, and the five last-mentioned prints, were, on common paper, marked "price 1s.;" on superior paper, "1s. 6d." The stamp by which the artist marked the "6d." was cut by himself on a halfpenny, now in my possession. Of Plates 3 and 4 there are wooden cuts, which were engraved under Hogarth's inspection.
The motives by which Hogarth was induced to make the designs, he thus describes:—
"The leading points in these as well as the two preceding prints, were made as obvious as possible, in the hope that their tendency might be seen by men of the lowest rank. Neither minute accuracy of design nor fine engraving were deemed necessary, as the latter would render them too expensive for the persons to whom they were intended to be useful; and the fact is, that the passions may be more forcibly expressed by a strong, bold stroke, than by the most delicate engraving. To expressing them as I felt them, I have paid the utmost attention; and as they were addressed to hard hearts, have rather preferred leaving them hard, and giving the effect, by a quick touch, to rendering them languid and feeble by fine strokes and soft engraving, which require more care and practice than can often be attained, except by a man of a very quiet turn of mind. Masson, who gave two strokes to every particular hair that he engraved, merited great admiration; but at such admiration I never aspired, neither was I capable of obtaining it if I had.