The six prints which follow, were published by subscription by Mrs. Hogarth in April 1782; of these No. 5. was engraved by Bartolozzi, and the rest by R. Livesay.
5. The Shrimp Girl, a head, from an original sketch in oil, in the possession of Mrs. Hogarth.
This plate, which is executed in the dotted manner so much at present in fashion, should have been etched or engraved like those excellent performances by Bartolozzi after the drawings of Guercino. Spirit, rather than delicacy, is the characteristic of our artist's Shrimp Girl.
6. 7. Portraits of Gabriel Hunt and Benjamin Read, in aqua tinta, from the original drawings in the possession of the late Mr. Forrest. The drawing of Mr. Hunt was taken in 1733, a period when, from the number of street-robberies, it was usual to go armed. Hunt's couteau is stuck in one of his button-holes.
The figure of Ben Read was taken in 1757. Coming one night to the club after having taken a long journey, he fell asleep there. Hogarth had got on his roquelaure, and was about to leave the room; but, struck with the drollery of his friend's appearance, he exclaimed, "Heavens! what a character!" and, calling for pen and ink, took the drawing immediately, without sitting down.
To be recorded only as votaries of the bottle and pipe, is no very flattering mark of distinction to these members of our artist's club. There is scarce a meaner avenue to the Temple of Fame.
8. Three plates, from the original sketches of Hogarth, designed for the epitaph and monument of George Taylor. The drawings are the property of Mr. Morrison.
George Taylor was a famous boxer, who died February 21, 1750. A writer already quoted speaks of him in these terms: "George Taylor, known by the name of George the Barber, sprang up surprisingly. He has beat all the chief boxers but Broughton. He, I think, injudiciously fought him one of the first, and was obliged very soon to give out. Doubtless it was a wrong step in him to commence a boxer by fighting the standing champion: for George was not then twenty, and Broughton was in the zenith of his age and art. Since that he has greatly distinguished himself with others; but has never engaged Broughton more. He is a strong able boxer, who, with a skill extraordinary, aided by his knowledge of the small and back swords, and a remarkable judgement in the cross-buttock fall, may contest with any. But, please or displease, I am resolved to be ingenuous in my characters. Therefore I am of opinion, that he is not overstocked with that necessary ingredient of a boxer, called a bottom; and am apt to suspect that blows of equal strength with his too much affect him and disconcert his conduct." Godfrey on the Science of Defence, p. 61.
On Taylor's tombstone in Deptford church-yard is the following epitaph:
Farewell ye honours of my brow!
Victorious wreaths farewell!
One trip from Death has laid me low,
By whom such numbers fell.
Yet bravely I'll dispute the prize,
Nor yield, though out of breath:
'Tis but a fall—I yet shall rise,
And conquer—even Death.