The statute, which took place June 24, 1735, was drawn up by our artist's friend Mr. Huggins, who took for his model the eighth of Queen Anne in favour of literary property. But it was not so accurately executed as entirely to remedy the evil; for, in a cause founded on it, which came before Lord Hardwicke in Chancery, that excellent lawyer determined that no assignee, claiming under an assignment from the original inventor, could take any benefit by it. Hogarth, immediately after the passing of the Act, published this print with the following inscription:-- "In humble and grateful acknowledgment of the grace and goodness of the LEGISLATURE, manifested in the ACT OF PARLIAMENT for the Encouragement of the Arts of Designing, Engraving, etc., obtained by the Endeavours, and almost at the sole Expense, of the Designer of this Print in the Year 1735; by which, not only the Professors of those Arts were rescued from the Tyranny, Frauds, and Piracies of Monopolizing Dealers, and legally entitled to the Fruits of their own Labours; but Genius and Industry were also prompted by the most noble and generous Inducements to exert themselves. Emulation was excited; Ornamental Compositions were better understood; and every Manufacture, where Fancy has any concern, was gradually raised to a pitch of Perfection before unknown; insomuch, that those of GREAT BRITAIN are at present the most elegant and the most in Esteem of any in EUROPE." The royal Crown at the top is darting its rays on mitres, coronets, the Chancellor's great seal, the Speaker's hat, etc. etc.; and on a scroll is written, "An Act for the Encouragement of the Arts of Designing, Engraving, and Etching, by vesting the properties thereof in the inventors and engravers, during the time therein mentioned." The plate was afterwards used as a receipt for the subscriptions to his four prints of "The Election."