The dead man, whom they are bringing up as a voter, alludes to an event of the same kind that happened during the contested election between _Bosworth_ and _Selwyn_. "Why," says one of the clerks, "you have brought us here a dead man."--"Dead!" cries the bringer; "dead as you suppose him, you shall soon hear him vote for _Bosworth_." On this, a thump was given to the body, which, being full of wind, emitted a sound that was immediately affirmed to be a distinct, audible, and good vote for the candidate already mentioned.--This circumstance, however, might have reference to the behaviour of the late Dr. _Barrowby_, who persuaded a dying patient he was so much better, that he might venture with him in his chariot to go and poll for Sir _George Vandeput_ in _Covent-Garden_. The unhappy voter took his physician's advice, but expired in an hour after his return from the hustings. "If _Hogarth_," says Mr. _Walpole_, "had an emblematic thought, he expressed it with wit, rather than by a symbol. Such is that of the whore setting fire to the world in _The Rake's Progress_. Once indeed he descended to use an allegoric personage, and was not happy in it. In one of his Election prints [plate III.] _Britannia's_ chariot breaks down, while the coachman and footman are playing at cards on the box." In the second impressions of Plate IV.[7] (which was engraved by _W. Hogarth_ and _F. Aviline_) the shadow on the sun-dial, denoting the hour, and the word indintur (commonly spelt indenture) on the scroll hanging out at the attorney's window, are both added. The fire from the gun is also continued farther; the bars of the church-gate are darkened; and the upper sprigs of a tree, which were bare at first, are covered with leaves. By these marks, the unskilful purchaser may distinguish the early from the later impressions. I forbear therefore to dwell on more minute variations. The ruined house adjoining to the attorney's, intimating that nothing can thrive in the neighbourhood of such vermin, is a stroke of satire that should not be overlooked. The publick were so impatient for this set of prints, that _Hogarth_ was perpetually hastening his coadjutors, changing some, and quarrelling with others. Three of the plates therefore were slightly executed, and soon needed the reparations they have since received. The following curious address appeared in the _Public Advertiser_ of _Feb._ 28, 1757.