[69] This is a palpable hit at Handel. In a caricatured portrait, entitled "The Charming Brute," this great composer is delineated sitting on a hogshead with the profile of a boar, a bill of fare, and other emblems of voluptuousness scattered round him. Published March 21, 1754. Motto on a scroll, "I am myself alone," and under the print these lines:-- "The figure's odd, yet who would think, Within this tomb of meat and drink There dwells the soul of soft desires, And all that harmony inspires? Can contrast such as this be found Upon the globe's extensive round? There can! yon hogshead is his seat, His sole diversion is to eat." When Handel had once a large party to dinner, the cloth being removed, he introduced plain port. Having drank four or five glasses with his guests, he suddenly started up--exclaimed--"I have a thought!" and stalked out of the room, to which after a short absence he returned. Having drank a few more glasses he uttered the same sentence--again retreated, and again returned. It was naturally supposed that he wished to commit to paper some idea that struck him at the moment, and passed over; but, when in less than an hour he a third time started--growled out--"I have a thought!" and a third time left the company, one of the gentlemen privately followed, and traced him into another apartment, where, on looking through the keyhole, he saw this great master of music kneel down to a hamper of champagne, that he might more conveniently reach out a flask, which having nearly finished, he returned to his friends! [70] In Hogarth's time the forms of nature were tortured and disguised by stiff stays: the ladies of the present day are not guilty of _this_ error. As to _the bloom of Circassia_, the less that is said about it the better. [71] However unimportant Hogarth thought the cut of a coat, certain adepts in the art, about two years since, published a half-guinea book, on the scientific acquisitions necessary to make a perfect tailor! "This day is published, price 10s. 6d., _The Tailor's Complete Guide, or a Comprehensive Analysis of Beauty and Elegance of Dress_; containing rules for cutting out garments of every kind, and fitting any person with the greatest accuracy and precision. Also plain directions how to avoid the errors of the trade in misfitting, and pointing out the method of rectifying what may be done amiss; to which is added a description to cut out and make the patent plastic habits and clothes without the usual seams, now in the highest estimation with the nobility and gentry, according to the patent granted by his Majesty; the whole concerted and devised by a society of adepts in the profession.