The original from which this plate is taken, is in Mrs. _Hogarth's_ possession at _Chiswick_. A whole-length of herself, in the same size, is its companion. They are both small pictures. [1] Among the prints bequeathed by the late Mr. _Forrest_ to his executor Mr. _Coxe_, is this head cut out of a proof, and touched up with _Indian_ ink by _Hogarth_. Mr. _Forrest_, in an inscription on the back of the paper to which it is affixed, observes it was a present to him from Mrs. _Hogarth_. With these prints are likewise several early impressions from other plates by our artist; and in particular a March to _Finchley_ uncommonly fine, and with the original spelling of PRUSIA uncorrected even by a pen. I am told that both the head and this, with other engravings in the collection of the late Mr. _Forrest_, will be sold by auction in the course of the Winter 1786. [2] i. e. the two first. [3] So in both the third and fourth impressions. 2. The Bench. Over the top of this plate is written in capitals--CHARACTER. Under it "of the different meaning of the words _Character, Caracatura,_ and _Outrè_, in painting and drawing," Then follows a long inscription on this subject. The original painting is in the collection of Mr. _Edwards_. * * * * * 1759. 1. The Cockpit. _Designed and engraved by W. Hogarth._ In this plate is a portrait of _Nan Rawlins_, a very ugly old woman (commonly called _Deptford Nan_, sometimes the _Duchess of Deptford_), and well remembered at _Newmarket_. She was a famous cock-feeder, and did the honours of the _gentlemen's_ ordinary at _Northampton_; while, in return, a single gentleman was deputed to preside at the table appropriated to the _ladies_. The figure with a hump-back, was designed for one _Jackson_, a once noted jockey at _Newmarket_. The blind president is Lord _Albemarle Bertie_, who was a constant attender of this diversion. His portrait was before discoverable in the crowd round the bruisers in the March to _Finchley_. By the cockpit laws, any person who cannot, or will not pay his debts of honour, is drawn up in a basket to the roof of the building. Without a knowledge of this circumstance, the shadow of the man who is offering his watch would be unintelligible. The subject of The Cockpit had been recommended to _Hogarth_ so long ago as 1747, in the following lines, first printed in _The Gentleman's Magazine_ of that year, p. 292. "Where _Dudston's_[1] walks with vary'd beauties shine, And some are pleas'd with bowling, some with wine, Behold a generous train of Cocks repair, To vie for glory in the toils of war; Each hero burns to conquer or to die: What mighty hearts in little bosoms lie!