a compliment, which might have stuck even in Sir _Godfrey Kneller's_ throat. The following authenticated story of our artist will also serve to shew how much more easy it is to detect ill-placed or hyperbolical adulation respecting others, than when applied to ourselves. _Hogarth_ being at dinner with the great _Cheselden_, and some other company, was told that Mr. _John Freke_, surgeon of _St. Bartholomew's Hospital_, a few evenings before at _Dick's Coffee-house_, had asserted, that _Greene_ was as eminent in composition as _Handel_. "That fellow _Freke_," replied _Hogarth_, "is always shooting his bolt absurdly one way or another! _Handel_ is a giant in music; _Greene_ only a light _Florimel_ kind of a composer."--"Ay," says our artist's informant, "but at the same time Mr. _Freke_ declared you were as good a portrait-painter as _Vandyck_."--"_There_ he was in the right," adds _Hogarth_; "and so by G-- I am, give me my time, and let me choose my subject!" With Dr. _Hoadly_, the late Chancellor of _Winchester_, Mr. _Hogarth_ was always on terms of the strictest friendship, and frequently visited him at _Winchester, St. Cross,_ and _Alresford_. It is well known, that Dr. _Hoadly's_ fondness for theatrical exhibitions was so great, that few visitors were ever long in his house before they were solicited to accept a part in some interlude or other. He himself, with _Garrick_ and _Hogarth_, once performed a laughable parody on the scene in _Julius Cæsar_, where the _Ghost_ appears to _Brutus. Hogarth_ personated the spectre; but so unretentive was his memory, that, although his speech consisted only of two lines, he was unable to get them by heart. At last they hit on the following expedient in his favour. The verses he was to deliver were written in such large letters, on the outside of an illuminated paper-lanthorn, that he could read them when he entered with it in his hand on the stage. _Hogarth_ painted a scene on this occasion, representing a sutling booth, with the _Duck of Cumberland's_ head by way of sign. He also prepared the play-bill, with characteristic ornaments. The original drawing is still preserved, and we could wish it were engraved; as the slightest sketch from the design of so grotesque a painter would be welcome to the numerous collectors of his works. _Hogarth_ was also the most absent of men. At table he would sometimes turn round his chair as if he had finished eating, and as suddenly would return it, and fall to his meal again. I may add, that he once directed a letter to Dr. _Hoadly_, thus,--"To the Doctor at _Chelsea_." This epistle, however, by good luck, did not miscarry; and was preserved by the late Chancellor of _Winchester_, as a pleasant memorial of his friend's extraordinary inattention.