[1] The originals of both are at the earl of Besborough's seat at Roehampton.
2. The Sleeping Congregation. The preacher was designed as the representative of Dr. Desaguliers. This print was first published in 1736. It was afterwards retouched and improved[1] by the author in 1762, and is found in three different states. In the first, Dieu & Mon Droit is wanting under the King's Arms; the angel with one wing and two pair of thighs, that supports this motto, is smoking a pipe; and the lion has not his present magnificent genitals. In the second, the words already mentioned are added; the angel's pipe is obliterated; the insignia of the lion's sex rendered ostentatiously conspicuous; and the lines of the triangle under the angel are doubled. The other distinctions are chiefly such as a reiteration of engraving would naturally produce, by adding strength to the fainter parts of the composition. Changes of this slender kind are numberless in all the repaired prints of our artist. There is also a pirated copy of this plate. It is not ill executed, but in size is somewhat shorter than its predecessor, and has no price annexed. In the original picture, in the collection of Sir Edward Walpole, the clerk's head is admirably well painted, and with great force; but he is dozing, and not leering at the young woman near him, as in the print.
[1] I wish, for the sake of some future edition of the present work, these improvements could be ascertained. To me they are invisible, like those in the re-published March to Finchley.
3. The Distressed Poet.[1] In a back ground, a picture of Pope threshing Curll. Over the head of Pope we read, Pope's Letters; out of his mouth comes Veni, vidi, vici; and under Curll lies a letter, directed—to Curll. The distressed bard is composing Poverty, a poem. At the bottom of the plate are the following lines from The Dunciad, I. iii.
Studious he sate, with all his books around,
Sinking from thought to thought, a vast profund!
Plung'd for his sense, but found no bottom there;
Then writ, and flounder'd on in mere despair.
In the subsequent impressions, dated December 15, 1740, the triumphs of Pope are changed to a view of the gold mines of Peru; and our hero of the garret is employed in celebrating the praise of Riches. The lines already quoted are effaced. The original painting is at lord Grosvenor's house at Milbank, Westminster.
[1] In The Craftsman, March 12, 1736-7, occurs, "This day is published, price 3s. a print representing a Distressed Poet. Also, five etchings, of different characters of heads in groups, viz. a Chorus of Singers; a pleased Audience at a Play; Scholars at a Lecture; and Quacks in Consultation; price 6d. each. To be had either bound together with all Mr. Hogarth's late engraved works (except the Harlot's Progress), or singly, at the Golden Head, in Leicester Fields; and at Mr Bakewell's, printseller, next the Horn Tavern, Fleet-street." And April 2 and 9, 1737, "Just published, price 3s. A print representing a Distressed Poet. Designed and engraved by Mr. Hogarth. Also four etchings, viz. A pleased Audience; a Chorus of Singers; Scholars at a Lecture; and a Consultation of Quacks, price 6d. each. To be had at the Golden Head, in Leicester Fields; and at Mr. Bakewell's, print-seller, next the Horn Tavern, in Fleet-street. Where may be had, bound or otherwise, all Mr. Hogarth's late engraved works, viz. A Midnight Conversation; Southwark Fair; the Rake's Progress, in eight prints; a sleepy Congregation in a Country Church; Before and After, two prints."
4. Right Hon. Frances Lady Byron. Whole length, mezzotinto. W. Hogarth pinxit. J. Faber fecit. The most beautiful impressions of this plate were commonly taken off in a brown colour.
5. The same, shortened into a three-quarters length.
6. Consultation of Physicians. Arms of the Undertakers. In this plate, amongst other portraits, is the well-known one of Dr. Ward[1] (who was called Spot Ward, from the left side of his face being marked of a claret colour); and that of the elder Taylor,[2] a noted oculist, with an eye on the head of his cane; Dr. Pierce Dod,[3] Dr. Bamber;[4] and other physicians of that time. The figure with a bone in its hand, between the two demi-doctors (i. e. Taylor and Ward), is said to have been designed for Mrs. Mapp, a famous masculine woman, who was called the bone-setter, or shape-mistress. I am told, that many of her advertisements may be found in Mist's Journal, and still more accounts of her cures in the periodical publications of her time. Her maiden name was Wallin. Her father was also a bone-setter at Hindon, Wilts; but quarrelling with him, she wandered about the country, calling herself crazy Sally. On her success in her profession she married, August 11, 1736,[5] one Hill Mapp, a servant to Mr. Ibbetson, mercer on Ludgate-Hill. In most cases her success was rather owing to the strength of her arms, and the boldness of her undertakings, than to any knowledge of anatomy or skill in chirurgical operations. The following particulars relative to her are collected from the The Grub-street Journal, &c. and serve at least to shew, that she was a character considerable enough to deserve the satire of Hogarth.