Note 8 — CATALOGUE OF HOGARTH'S PRINTS.[1] (continued 2)
Reading edition
A chief betokeneth a senator, or honourable personage borrowed from the Greeks, and is a word signifying a head; and as the head is the chief part of a man, so the chief in the escutcheon should be a reward of such only whose high merits have procured them chief place, esteem, or love amongst men.