_Lane_, after a short pause, declared himself to be of the same opinion, adding, that the artist was very poorly rewarded for his labour, and, if he thought it would be of service to him, would give him till three o'clock to find a better purchaser. _Hogarth_ warmly accepted the offer, and expressed his acknowledgements for the kindness in the strongest terms. The proposal likewise received great encomiums from the Doctor, who proposed to make it public. This was peremptorily forbidden by Mr. _Lane_, whose concession in favour of our artist was remembered by him to the time of his death.--About one o'clock, two hours sooner than the time appointed by Mr. _Lane, Hogarth_ said he would no longer trespass on his generosity, but that, if he was pleased with his purchase, he himself was abundantly so with the purchaser. He then desired Mr. _Lane_ to promise that he would not dispose of the pictures without previously acquainting him of his intention, and that he would never permit any person, under pretence of cleaning, to meddle with them, as he always desired to take that office on himself. This promise was readily made by Mr. _Lane_, who has been tempted more than once by _Hogarth_ to part with his bargain at a price to be named by himself. When Mr. _Lane_ bought the pictures, they were in Carlo Marratt frames which cost the painter four guineas apiece." The memory of this occurrence ought always to attend the work which afforded Mr. _Lane_ an opportunity of displaying so much disinterested generosity. Another correspondent begins the same story as follows--A little time before the auction, _Hogarth_ publickly declared, that no picture-dealer should be allowed to bid. He also called on his friends, requesting them not to appear at the sale, as his house was small, and the room might be over crowded. They obeyed his injunctions. Early in this mortifying day he dressed himself, put on his tye-wig, strutted away one hour, and fretted away two more, no bidder appearing, &c. &c. 2. A small print of Archbishop _Herring_, at the head of the speech he made to the clergy of _York, September_ 24, 1745. _William Hogarth pinx. C. Moseley sculp._ 3. The same head cut out of the plate, and printed off without the speech. 4. The Battle of the Pictures. "_Ticket to admit persons to bid for his works at an auction._" On the plate called _The Battle of the Pictures_ is written, "The bearer hereof is entitled (if he thinks proper) to be a bidder for Mr. _Hogarth's_ pictures, which are to be sold on the last day of this month [_February_, 1744-5.]." 5. A festoon, with a mask, a roll of paper, a palette, and a laurel. Subscription ticket for _Garrick_ in _Richard_ the Third. A very faithful copy from this receipt was made by _R. Livesay_, 1781. It is to be sold at Mrs. _Hogarth's_ house in _Leicester-square_. * * * * * 1746.