[2] In _The Grub-street Journal_ for _December_ 6, 1733, appeared the following advertisement: "Lately published, (illustrated with six prints, neatly engraven from Mr. _Hogarth's_ Designs,) _The Lure of Venus_; or a Harlot's Progress. An heroi-comical Poem, in six Cantos, by Mr. _Joseph_ Gay. "To Mr. _Joseph_ Gay. "Sir, "It has been well observed, that a great and just objection to the Genius of Painters is their want of invention; from whence proceeds so many different designs or draughts on the same history or fable. Few have ventured to touch upon a new story; but still fewer have invented both the story and the execution, as the ingenious Mr. _Hogarth_ has done, in his six prints of a _Harlot's Progress_; and, without a compliment, Sir, your admirable Cantos are a true key and lively explanation of the painter's hieroglyphicks. "I am, Sir, yours, &c. "A. PHILLIPS." This letter, ascribed to _Ambrose Phillips_, was in all probability a forgery, like the name of _Joseph Gay_. [3] "Mother _Needham's_ Lamentation," was published in _May_ 1731, price 6d. [4] It seems agreed on by our comic-writers, not to finish the character of a Bawd without giving her some pretence to Religion. In _Dryden's_ Wild Gallant, _Mother du Lake_, being about to drink a dram, is made to exclaim, "'Tis a great way to the bottom; but heaven is all-sufficient to give me strength for it." The scene in which this speech occurs, was of use to _Richardson_ in his _Clarissa_, and perhaps to _Foote_, or _Foote's_ original of the character of Mother _Cole_. [5] So in _Hill's Actor_, pp. 69, 70. "If there be any thing that comes in competition with the unluckiness of this excellent player's figure in this character, it is the appearance he made in his new habit for _Othello_. We are used to see the greatest majesty imaginable expressed throughout that whole part; and though the joke was somewhat prematurely delivered to the publick, we must acknowledge, that his appearance in that tramontane dress made us rather expect to see a tea-kettle in his hand, than to hear the thundering speeches _Shakspeare_ has thrown into that character, come out of his mouth." [6] See the back ground of this plate, for a circumstance of such unpardonable grossness as admits of no verbal interpretation. [7] Bishop _Gibson_. [8] Beat hemp. 2. Rehearsal of the Oratorio of _Judith_. Singing men and boys. Ticket for "A Modern Midnight Conversation." This Oratorio of _Judith_, which was performed in character, was written by Mr. _Huggins_, as has been already observed in p. 187; and the line taken from it, "The world shall bow to the _Assyrian_ throne," inscribed on the book, is a satire on its want of success.--The corner figure looking over the notes, was designed for Mr. _Tothall_.