1762.
1. Credulity, Superstition, and Fanaticism. "Satire on Methodists." "For deep and useful satire," says Mr. Walpole, "the most sublime of all his works."
This print, however, contains somewhat more than a satire on Methodism. Credulity is illustrated by the figure of the Rabbit-breeder of Godalming, with her supposed progeny galloping from under her petticoats. St. André's folly furnished Hogarth with matter for one of his latest, as well as one of his earliest performances.
Primâ dicte mihi, summâ dicende Camænâ.
2. The Times. Plate I. In one copy of this print Henry VIII. is blowing the flames; in another Mr. Pitt has the same employment: As this design is not illustrated in Trusler's Account of Hogarth's Works, I shall attempt its explanation, and subjoin, by way of note, a humourous description of it, which was printed in a news-paper immediately after it's first appearance in the world.[1]
Europe on fire; France, Germany, Spain, in flames, which are extending to Great Britain. This desolation continued and assisted by Mr. Pitt, under the figure of King Henry VIII. with bellows increasing the mischief which others are striving to abate. He is mounted on the stilts of the populace. A Cheshire cheese depends from his neck, with 3000 l. on it. This alludes to what he had said in Parliament—that he would sooner live on a Cheshire cheese and a shoulder of mutton, than submit to the enemies of Great Britain. Lord Bute, attended by English soldiers, sailors, and Highlanders, manages an engine for extinguishing the flames, but is impeded by the Duke of Newcastle, with a wheel-barrow full of Monitors and North Britons, for the purpose of feeding the blaze. The respectable body under Mr. Pitt are the aldermen of London, worshiping the idol they had set up; whilst the musical King of Prussia, who alone is sure to gain by the war, is amusing himself with a violin amongst his miserable countrywomen. The picture of the Indian alludes to the advocates for retaining our West Indian conquests, which, it was said, would only increase excess and debauchery. The breaking down of the Newcastle-arms, and the drawing up the patriotic ones, refer to the resignation of that noble Duke, and the appointment of his successor. The Dutchman smoking his pipe, and a Fox peeping out behind him, and waiting the issue; the Waggon, with the treasures of the Hermione; the unnecessary marching of the Militia, signified by the Norfolk jig; the Dove with the olive-branch, and the miseries of war; are all obvious, and perhaps need no explication.
To those already given, however, may be added the following doggrel verses: