And also what the writer called,
"A Slap at Both Sides."
"Whilst Bruin and Pug contend for the prize
Of merit in scandal, would parties be wise,
And with honest derision contemn the dispute,
The Bear would not roar, and the Dog would be mute:
For they equally both their patrons betray,
No sense of Conviction their reasons convey;
So neither may hope one convert to gain,
For the Rhime makes me sick, and the Print gives me pain."[2]
This plate, however, originally contained our artist's own portrait (see p. [295]). To shew the contempt in which he held the "Poetical Epistle to Hogarth,[3] he makes the pug-dog water on it, but in a manner by no means natural to his species. Perhaps there is the same error relative to the Monkey in the print of the Strollers. This kind of evacuation, however, appears to have been regarded by Hogarth as a never-failing joke. On the palette he exhibits the North Britons, and a begging-box to collect subscriptions for them. Designed and engraved by W. Hogarth.
In the first impression of this print three of the upper knots on the club or ragged staff (viz. 1. 3. 5.) are left white. In the second impression they are completely shaded; the ruffle on the hand that clasps the pot of porter is likewise hatched over, and the shoulder of the animal made rounder. Minute differences occur in the other knots, &c. The inscription, instead of Russian, reads Modern Hercules.
[1] In a letter written to his friend Mr. Wilkes, dated Aug. 3, 1763, Churchill says: "I take it for granted you have seen Hogarth's Print against me. Was ever any thing 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. He has broke 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. 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, &c. How sweet is flattery from the woman we love! and how weak is our boasted strength when opposed to beauty and good sense with good nature!"—In Mr. Churchill's will is the following passage: "I desire my dear friend, John Wilkes, Esq. to collect and publish my Works, with the Remarks and Explanations he has prepared, and any others he thinks proper to make."
[2] In a few days after, the following Advertisement, for a satirical Print on Hogarth, was published:
Tara, Tan, Tara! Tara, Tan, Tara!
This Day made its appearance at the noted SUMPTER's Political Booth, next door to The Brazen Head, near Shoe-Lane, Fleet-street, which began precisely at twelve at noon, a new humourous performance, entitled, The BRUISER TRIUMPHANT: or, The Whole Farce of the Leicester-fields Pannel Painter. The principal parts by Mr. H[ogarth], Mr. W[ilkes], Mr. C[hurchill], &c. &c. &c. Walk in, Gentlemen, walk in! No more than 6 d. a-piece!
[3] The reader shall judge for himself of this Epistle's "power to hurt."