[11] The old Duke of _Devonshire_ lost the great estate of _Leicester_ abbey to him at the gaming-table. _Manners_ was the only person of his time who had amassed a considerable fortune by the profession of a gamester. [12] "The first print of this capital work is an excellent representation of a young heir, taking possession of a miser's effects. The passion of avarice, which hoards every thing, without distinction, what is and what is not valuable, is admirably described.--The _composition_, though not excellent, is not unpleasing. The principal group, consisting of the young gentleman, the taylor, the appraiser, the papers, and chest, is well shaped: but the eye is hurt by the disagreeable regularity of three heads nearly in a line, and at equal distances.--The _light_ is not ill disposed. It falls on the principal figures: but the effect might have been improved. If the extreme parts of the mass (the white apron on one side, and the memorandum-book on the other) had been in shade, the _repose_ had been less injured. The detached parts of a group should rarely catch a strong body of light.--We have no striking instances of _expression_ in this print. The principal figure is unmeaning. The only one, which displays the true _vis comica_ of _Hogarth_, is the appraiser fingering the gold. You enter at once into his character.--The young woman might have furnished the artist with an opportunity of presenting a graceful figure; which would have been more pleasing. The figure he _has_ introduced, is by no means an object of allurement.--The _perspective_ is accurate, but affected. So many windows, and open doors, may shew the author's learning; but they break the back ground, and injure the simplicity of it.