[122] In this circumstance the artist must have been misinformed. At the fire he mentions, five of the Harlot's Progress were burnt; the sixth is now in the possession of Lord Charlemont. The eight of the Rake's Progress were not destroyed. [123] Francis Beckford, Esq., to whom I find, by one of Hogarth's memorandums, they were sold for £88, 4s. [124] The R must have been a mistake of the writing-engraver. Ravenet's christened names were Simon Francis. [125] The mottoes were selected by the Reverend Arnold King. [126] The twelve prints were originally published at 12s. [127] So does he express himself in the MS., though the Roast Beef was published March 6, 1749, and the March, December 31, 1750. [128] It has been said that Hogarth never went farther into France than Calais; this proves he had reached Paris. [129] This was afterwards copied for a watch-paper. [130] About eight years after the publication of these prints, when there was an Act in contemplation relative to the distilleries, Hogarth received the following anonymous letter:-- "_December 12, 1759._ "SIR,--When genius is made subservient to public good, it does honour to the possessor, as it is expressive of gratitude to his Creator, by exerting itself to further the happiness of His creatures. The poignancy and delicacy of your ridicule has been productive of more reformation than more elaborate pieces would have effected. On the apprehension of opening the distillery, methinks I hear all good men cry, Fire!--it is therefore the duty of every citizen to try to extinguish it. Rub up, then, Gin Lane and Beer Street, that you may have the honour and advantage of bringing the two first engines to the fire; and work them manfully at each corner of the building; and instead of the paltry reward of thirty shillings allowed by Act of Parliament, receive the glorious satisfaction of having extinguished those fierce flames which threaten a general conflagration to human nature, by pouring liquid fire into the veins of the now brave Britons, whose robust fabrics will soon fall in when these dreadful flames have consumed the inside timbers and supporters.--I am, Sir, yours, etc., "AN ENGLISHMAN." [131] Humanity and tenderness of mind were the leading characteristics of my most valued and most regretted friend Mortimer: he would not have trod on a worm; yet in painting subjects from which the common eye would revolt, he had the greatest delight. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. A superscript is denoted by ^; for example M^R, y^e. Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources. Footnotes have been moved to the end of the book text. Some Footnotes are very long. One occurrence of the 3-star asterism symbol is denoted by ***.