For Mr. Hogarth.
"Dear Sir,—I was pleased to find by the public papers that you have determined to give us your original and masterly thoughts on the great principles of your profession.
"You ow[55] this to your country, for you are both an honour to your profession and a shame to that worthless crew professing vertu[55] and connoisseurship, to whom all that grovel in the splendid poverty of wealth and taste are the miserable bubbles.
"I beg you would give me leave to contribute my mite towards this work, and permit the enclosed to entitle me to a subscription for two copies.
"I am, dear Sir (with a true sense of your superior talents), your very affectionate humble servant,
"W. Warburton.
"P. P., March 28, 1752."
To Mr. Hogarth.
"Dear Sir,—I expected to have been in England about this time, but find myself disappointed by the tediousness of the progress of what I have begun; and business coming in very smartly, I believe I shall stay here some months longer than I proposed at first, therefore shall indulge myself with the pleasure of writing these till I enjoy that of your conversation. I have a thousand observations to impart to you when we meet—some that will please you, some that you will think inaccurate, but all such as will not allow us time to yawn when we see one another. First, I hope you are in perfect health, and the next news I want to hear is, when your book is to be published. I have raised some expectations about it amongst artists and virtuosi here, and hope to have the first that shall come over, that I may boast of your friendship, by being the first usher of a performance which I am sure will make many people wish they were acquainted with you. The humbug virtu is much more out of fashion here than in England. Free-thinking, upon that and other topics, is, if possible, more prevalent here than amongst you. Old paintings and old stories fare much alike. A dark picture is become a damned picture, as the soul of the dealer; and, consequently, modern performances are much encouraged,—and mine amongst them,—for I have met with a reception much beyond what I expected, or they deserved. This circumstance has made Paris more agreeable to me than it would have been without it. I pass my time in it very swiftly, perpetually employed in a great variety of unavoidable business. The days succeed one another with great rapidity. Nevertheless, I think I don't enjoy so good a health as in England, though I was often ill there; but the hurry I have been in this six months, which cannot be described, may be the reason of it. I am afflicted with a continual headache, which I have not been subject to this five-and-twenty years, and which, if it should not abate, will occasion my return before business will well admit. I suppose you have before this time some spring days at Ivy Hall. I shall have no country air this year, but am going to lodge in the most open part of the town, which I hope will do instead, that is, upon the Quay de Conti, next to College Mazarine, where I shall be in three weeks ready to receive the answer that I beg you will favour me with.—I am, Sir, your humble servant,