It should be observed, however, that the general decision on Hogarth's performance may be just. Certain we are, that it has not been reversed by the opinion of the First of our Modern Painters.
[42] The Analysis itself however affords sufficient specimens of inaccuracy in spelling. Thus we have (pref. p. xix.) Syclamen instead of Cyclamen; (p. 44.) calcidonian for Chalcedonian; (p. 65.) nuckles for knuckles; (p. 97.) Irish-stitch for Iris-stitch, &c. &c. In the sheets that contain these errors, it is easy to conceive that Hogarth must have been his own corrector of the press.
[43] It is so extraordinary for an illiterate person to ridicule inaccuracy of spelling, that this might probably be a real blunder.
[44] Some account of this work will be given in a [future page].
[45] See a [note] on Marriage-a-la-Mode (under the year 1745); from whence it sufficiently appears, that indelicacies, &c. had been imputed to Hogarth's performances, and that, therefore, when he advertised the six plates of Marriage-a-la-Mode, he thought it necessary to assure the public that no indelicacy, indecency, or personality, would be found in any of these representations.
[46] The exigence of this card having been doubted, it is engraved in our title-page, from the original now in Charles Street, Grosvenor Square, in the possession of Dr. Wright.
[47] This pun reminds us of a similar one from Garth to Rowe, who making repeated use of his snuff-box, the Doctor at last sent it to him with the two Greek letters written on the lid, Φ, ρ, (Phi, Ro). At this the sour Dennis was so provoked, as to declare, that "a man who could make such a vile pun, would not scruple to pick a pocket."
[48] The cat spitting at the dog is a circumstance in the fourth plate of Industry and Idleness, where it is naturally introduced. The dog attends on a porter who is bringing in goods; and the warehouse cat, who considers this animal as an invader, is preparing to defend her person and premises.
[49] When this ample, nay, redundant, apology by Dr. Joseph Warton first made its appearance, Hogarth was highly delighted with as much of it as he understood. But, not knowing the import of the word ΗθΟΣ [Greek: Ethos], he hastened to his friends for information. All, in their turn, sported with his want of skill in the learned languages; first telling him it was Greek for one strange thing, and then for another, so that his mind remained in a state of suspence; as, for aught he knew to the contrary, some such meaning might lie under these crooked letters, as would overset the compliments paid him in the former parts of the paragraph. No short time, therefore, had passed before he could determine whether he ought to retract or continue his charge against his adversary: but it was at last obliterated. For several months afterwards, however, poor Hogarth never praised his provision or his wine, without being asked what proportion of the ΗθΟΣ [Greek: Ethos] he supposed to be in either.
[50] An engraving from this picture may be expected from Mr. Livesay.