I may here observe, that this performance, in its original state, is by far the most finished and laborious of all _Hogarth's_ engravings. Having been two years on sale (from 1755 to 1757) it was considerably worn before the publication of Plate the second; and was afterwards touched and retouched till almost all the original and finer traces of the burin were either obliterated or covered by succeeding ones. In short, there is the same difference between the earliest and latest impressions, as there was between the first and second state of Sir _John Cutler's_ stockings, which, by frequent mending, from silk degenerated into worsted. I learn also, on the best authority, that our artist, who was always fond of trying to do what no man had ventured to do before him, resolved to finish this plate without taking a single proof from it as he proceeded in his operation. The consequence of his temerity was, that he almost spoiled his performance. When he discovered his folly, he raved, stamped, and swore he was ruined, nor could be prevailed on to think otherwise, till his passion subsided, and a brother artist assisted him in his efforts to remedy the general defect occasioned by such an attempt to perform an impossibility. In Plate II. we meet with a fresh proof of our artist's inattention to orthography; _Party-tool_ (used as a proper name) being here spelt parti-tool. This plate was engraved by _C. Grignion_, and has been retouched, as the upper-row of the lion's teeth are quite obliterated in the second impression. Plate III. The militia (or, as _Hogarth_ spells it, milicia) bill appearing out of the pocket of the maimed voter, is only found in the second impression. This print was engraved by _Hogarth_ and _Le Cave_.[6]