The plate to Chap. XVII. viz. "Pay stopt wholly, or in part, by way of punishment"—"Barley given to offenders instead of wheat, &c." differs in many instances from that sold with the set. At the bottom of the former, in the book, we read, "W. Hogarth, Invent. sculpt." The latter has "W. Hogarth, invent. & fec." The former has a range of tents behind the pay-table. These are omitted in the latter; which likewise exhibits an additional soldier attendant on the measuring out of the corn, &c.
I do not mean to say that the plate sold with the set is spurious. Had it been a copy, it would naturally have been a servile one. Some reason, now undiscoverable, must have prevailed on our artist to re-engrave it with variations.
N. B. The two "scenes of modern war," mentioned also in p. [134], were designed for a continuation of the same work, which was never printed, as I guess from the conclusion of the Author's preface. "This regularly divided my book into two parts; one treating of the Roman, the other of the Modern Military Punishments. The first I now send into the world, as a man going into the water dips his foot to feel what reception he is like to meet with; by that rule resolving, either to publish the second part, or sit down contented with the private satisfaction of having, by my studies, rendered myself more able worthily to discharge the duties of my office."
I have since been assured, that our Author's heir was a pastry-cook, who used all the copies of this book for waste-paper.
3. A burlesque on Kent's altar piece at St. Clement's, with notes. "It represents angels very ill drawn, playing on various instruments." Speaking of this print, Mr. Walpole in one place calls it a parody; and in another, a burlesque on Kent's Altar-piece. But, if we may believe Hogarth himself, it is neither, but a very fair and honest representation of a despicable performance. The following is our artist's inscription to it, transcribed verbatim & literatim.
"This Print is exactly Engraiv'd after ye celebrated Altar-Piece in St. Clements Church which has been taken down by Order of ye Lord Bishop of London (as tis thought) to prevent Disputs and Laying of wagers among the Parrshioners about ye Artists meaning in it. for publick Satisfaction here is a particular Explanation of it humbly Offerd to be writ under the Original, that it may be put up again by which means ye Parish'es 60 pounds which thay nifely gave for it, may not be Entirely lost.
"1st. Tis not the Pretenders Wife and Children as our weak brethren imagin.
"2dly. Nor St. Cecilia as the Connoisseurs think but a choir of Angells playing in Consort.