Mr. Benjamin Wilson the painter, in the letter that follows, puts a query concerning a disputed point in perspective, which was adopted by Hogarth, in support of his friend Kirby, who, in the epistle that succeeds it, after returning his acknowledgments for the drawing that Sullivan engraved for his book, requests the author of the _Analysis_ to give him some supplementary support in his doctrine of parallel columns, etc., for the volume he was then printing on perspective. This Hogarth did not then comply with; but when Mr. Highmore, a short time afterwards, attacked the system and its author in the preface of a pamphlet, Hogarth, in support of both, and to ridicule the erroneous principles of his opponent, wrote Kirby some whimsical strictures, which have been already published in the _Graphic Illustrations_. As they are immediately connected with the letter which is subjoined, I have inserted them in a note, and added such extracts from Highmore's and Kirby's prefaces as may elucidate the subject in debate, and enable the reader to draw his own conclusions:-- _To Wm. Hogarth, Esq., Chiswick._ "DEAR SIR,--When you come to town, I shall be very glad to show you further advantages which I have gathered from your excellent _Analysis_. I assure you I think myself greatly indebted to you, and know of no method to repay you, but to acknowledge it as I improve, that the world may have one instance of your invariable principles being true. An odd appearance was mentioned to me lately, which it seems is a fact. A parallelogram, viewed obliquely at a given distance, forms a different representation when seen through a telescope than it does when viewed with the naked eye. In the one case the remote end of the parallelogram appears larger than the near end, whilst in the other case it appears smaller than the near end. "_Q._ Do your disputants (in relation to the columns) suppose a given point? If so, they will not regard the eye as you do. Excuse haste.--I am, Sir, etc., "B. WILSON." _For Mr. Hogarth._ "IPSWICH, _May 3d, 1753_. "DEAR SIR,--Ever since I received the favour of your drawing, I have been in expectation of having my Preface printed, but have been continually disappointed, which was the reason of my not returning you my most hearty thanks for the above favour long before this time, and therefore I hope your goodness will excuse it. "The design which you have favoured me with is the best that can be thought of for its intended purpose, as it tends to recommend the study of perspective by exposing the mistakes of those artists who are ignorant of it in such a striking manner as is peculiar to the genius of Mr. Hogarth. I intend to have it engraved by Mr. Sullivan, and shall send it to him as soon as I know how to direct to him, unless any other person is more agreeable to you for that purpose.