Hogarth, William (1697-1764), painter and engraver of moral and satirical subjects. His two most famous series of paintings are “The Rake’s Progress” and “Marriage à la Mode.” Lamb in his “Essay on the Genius and Character of Hogarth” observes: “Other pictures we look at,—his prints we read.” Hazlitt, sharing this view, includes an account of Hogarth in the seventh lecture of the “Comic Writers,” which opens as follows: “If the quantity of amusement, or of matter for more serious reflection which their works have afforded, is that by which we are to judge of precedence among the intellectual benefactors of mankind, there are, perhaps, few persons who can put in a stronger claim to our gratitude than Hogarth. It is not hazarding too much to assert, that he was one of the greatest comic geniuses that ever lived.”
[P. 159.] the gratitude of the elder Blifil. Bk. I, ch. 13.
the Latin dialogues, etc. Bk. II, chs. 3-4.
[P. 160.] honesty of Black George. Bk. VI, ch. 13.
I was never so handsome. Bk. XVII, ch. 4.
the adventure with the highwayman. Bk. VII, ch. 9.
Sophia and her muff. Bk. V, ch. 4.
coquetry of her cousin. Bk. XVI, ch. 9.
the modest overtures. Bk. XV, ch. 11.
the story of Tom Jones. Cf. Coleridge’s “Table Talk,” July 5, 1834: “I think the Œdipus Tyrannus, the Alchemist, and Tom Jones, the three most perfect plots ever planned.”