This satirical performance of _Hogarth_, however, was thought to be invented and drawn at the mitigation of Sir _James Thornhill_, out of revenge, because Lord _Burlington_ had preferred Mr. _Kent_ before him to paint for the king at his palace at _Kensington_. Dr. _Faustus_ was a pantomime performed to crowded houses throughout two seasons, to the utter neglect of plays, for which reason they are cried about in a wheel-barrow.[4] We may add that there are three prints of this small masquerade, &c. one a copy from the first. The originals have _Hogarth's_ name within the frame of the plate, and the eight verses are different from those under the other. It is sometimes found without any lines at all; those in the first instance having been engraved on a separate piece of copper, so that they could either be retained, dismissed, or exchanged, at pleasure. In the first copy of this print, instead of _Ben Jonson's_ name on a label, we have _Pasquin_, N° XI. This was a periodical paper published in 1722-3, and the number specified is particularly severe on operas, &c. The verses to the first impression of this plate, are, Could now dumb _Faustus_, to reform the age, Conjure up _Shakespear's_ or _Ben Johnson's_ ghost, They'd blush for shame, to see the _English_ stage Debauch'd by fool'ries, at so great a cost. What would their manes say? Should they behold Monsters and masquerades, where useful plays Adorn'd the fruitfull theatre of old, And rival wits contended for the bays. _Price_ 1 _shilling_ 1724. To the second impression of it: O how refin'd, how elegant we're grown! What noble Entertainments charm the town! Whether to hear the Dragon's roar we go, Or gaze surpriz'd on _Fawks's_ matchless show, Or to the Operas, or to the Masques, To eat up ortelans, and t' empty flasques, And rifle pies from _Shakespear's_ clinging page, Good gods! how great's the gusto of the age. In this print our artist has imitated the engraving of _Callot_. To the third impression, i. e. the copy: Long has the stage productive been Of offsprings it could brag on, But never till this age was seen A Windmill and a Dragon. O _Congreve_, lay thy pen aside, _Shakespear_, thy works disown, Since monsters grim, and nought beside, Can please this senseless town. I should have observed, that the idea of the foregoing plate was stolen from an anonymous one on the same subject. It represents _Hercules_ chaining follies and destroying monsters. He is beating _Heidegger_, till the money he had amassed falls out of his pocket. The situation of the buildings, &c. on the sides, &c. has been followed by our artist. _Mercury_ aloft sustains a scroll, on which is written "The Mascarade destroy'd." The inscription under this print is "Hei Degeror. O! I am undone." _Price One Shilling._ [1] She is rather drawing the money towards her with a rake.