It is true, Mr. HORACE WALPOLE, who possesses perhaps the compleatest collection of the prints of this Master, some years ago published a Catalogue of them; but this is only to be found in his work, intituled, "_Anecdotes of Painting in England collected by G. Vertue, and published by H. Walpole_," a performance consisting of four volumes in 4to, too costly for many collectors, and inconvenient for others. Moreover all that is to be found there relative to _Hogarth_, is not only included in Mr. _Nichols's_ publication, but is also improved by considerable additions, so that the curious reader has _Walpole's_ Catalogue incorporated with the present work. The liberty of abridgement, as mentioned in the title, is ventured only in regard to such diffuse illustrations, repetitions, anecdotes, and local stories, as would be alone interesting to an _Englishman_; in a word, in such parts as do not immediately contribute to the illustration of _Hogarth's_ plates, and would have tired the patience of the _German_ reader. Of the verses affixed to each copper-plate the first and last words only are given, as those afford sufficient indication for a collector who wishes to become acquainted with any particular print. How far some remarks of the Translator are useful, or otherwise, is left to the indulgent decision of Judges in the Arts. He must not however forget it is his duty to acknowledge the goodness of old Mr. HANSEN of _Leipsig_. This gentleman's readiness in permitting him to examine his excellent collection of the engravings of _British_ artists, for the purpose of comparing and illustrating several passages in the original of this work, claims his warmest thanks, and a public acknowledgement. _Leipsig, February_ 1783. THE TRANSLATOR. List of Gentlemen, Artists, &c. who furnished incidental intelligence to the Author of this Work. Mr. _Ashby_. Mr. _Basire_. Mr. _Baynes_. Mr. _Belchier_--dead. Mr. _Bindley_. Mr. _Birch_. Mr. _Bowle_. Mr. _Braithwaite_. Mr. _Browning_. Lord _Charlemont_. Mr. _Charlton_. Mr. _Cole_--dead. Mr. _Colman_. Mr. _Coxe_. Mr. _Dodsley_. Dr. _Ducarel_--dead. Mr. _Duncombe_. Mr. _Edwards_. Mr. _Forrest_--dead. Mr. _Foster_--dead. Mr _Goodison_. Mrs. _Gostling_. Mr. _Gough_. Mr. _Hall_. Sir _John Hawkins_. Mr. _Henderson_. Mrs. _Hogarth_. Dr. _Hunter_--dead. Mr. _S. Ireland_. Dr. _Johnson_--dead. Mr. _Keate_. Bishop of _Kilala_. Mr. _Lane_. Mrs. _Lewis_. Mr. _Livesay_. Dr. _Lort_. Mr. _Lyon_. Mr. _Major_. Mr. _Malone_. Dr. _Monkhouse_. Dr. _Morell_--dead. Mr. _Morrison_. Mr. _Pinkerton_. Mr. _Rayner_. Mr. _Reed_. Sir _Joshua Reynolds_. Mr. _Richards_. Mr. _Rogers_--dead. Mr. _Rumsey_. Mr. _Steevens_. Mr. _Thane_. Mr. _Thomas_. Mr. _Tyers_. Mr. _Waldron_. Mr. _Walker_. Mr. _J. C. Walker_. Mr. _Walpole_. Dr. _Warton_. Mr. _Way_. Mr. _Welch_--dead. Mr. _Whately_. Mr. _B. White_. Mr. _H. White_. Mr. _Wilkes_. Mr. _Williams_. Dr. _Wright_. COLLECTORS of HOGARTH.