_Hogarth_ was also supposed to have had some hand in the exhibition of signs,[83] projected above 20 years ago by _Bonnel Thornton_, of festive memory; but I am informed, that he contributed no otherwise towards this display, than by a few touches of chalk. Among the heads of distinguished personages, finding those of the King of _Prussia_ and the Empress of _Hungary_, he changed the cast of their eyes so as to make them leer significantly at each other. This is related on the authority of Mr. _Colman_. Mr. _Richardson_ ("now," as Dr. _Johnson_ says, "better known by his books than his pictures," though his colouring is allowed to be masterly) having accounted for some classical quotations in his notes on _Milton_, unlearned as he was, by his son's assisting him as a telescope does the eye in astronomy; _Hogarth_ shewed him with a telescope looking through his son (in no very decent attitude) at a _Virgil_ aloft on a shelf; but afterwards destroyed the plate, and recalled the prints. Qu. if any remain, and what date?--I much question whether this subject was ever thrown upon copper, or meant for the public eye. In the "Nouveau Dictionnaire Historique, _Caen_, 1783," our artist is thus characterized: "Ses compositions sont mal dessinées & foiblement colories; mais ce sont des tableaux parlans de diverses scènes comiques ou morales de la vie. Il avoit négligé le méchanisme de son art, c'est à-dire, les traits du pinceau, le rapport des parties entr'elles, l'effèt du clare obscure, l'harmonie du coloris, &c. pour s'élever jusqu'à la perfection de ce méchanisme, c'est à-dire, au poétique & au moral de la peinture. 'Je reconnois,' disoit-il, 'tout le monde pour juge compétent de mes tableaux, excepté les connoisseurs de profession.' Un seul exemple prouvera combien réussit. Il avoit fait graver une estampe, dans laquelle il avoit exprimé avec énergie les différens tourmens qu'on fait éprouver aux animaux. Un charrier fouettoit un jour ses chevaux avec beaucoup de dureté; un bon homme, touché de pitié, lui dit, 'Miserable! tu n'as donc pas vu l'estampe d'_Hogarth_?' Il n'étoit pas seulement peintre, il fut écrivain. Il publia en 1750 un traité en _Anglois_, intitulé, '_Analyse de la Beauté_.' L'auteur pretend que les formes arrondies constituent la beauté du corps: principe vrai à certains égards, faux a plusieurs autres. _Voy._ sur cet artiste, la sécond volume du 'Mercure de France,' Janvier, 1770." Mr. _Peter Dupont_, a merchant, had the drawing of _Paul before Felix_, which he purchased for 20 guineas, and bound up with a set of _Hogarth's_ prints. The whole set was afterwards sold by auction, at _Baker's_, for 17 _l._ to Mr. _Ballard_ of _Little Britain_, in whose catalogue it stood some time marked at 25 _l._ and was parted with for less than that sum. The following original drawings, by _Hogarth_, are now in the collection of the Rev. Dr. _Lort_: