Note 2 — CATALOGUE OF HOGARTH'S PRINTS.[1] (continued 2)

PRUSIA, in the earliest impressions. I have been assured that only twenty-five were worked off with this literal imperfection, as Hogarth grew tired of adding the mark ~ with a pen over one S, to supply the want of the other. He therefore ordered the inscription to be corrected before any greater number of impressions were taken. Though this circumstance was mentioned by Mr. Thane, to whose experience in such matters some attention is due, it is difficult to suppose that Hogarth was fatigued with correcting his own mistake in so small a number of the first Impressions. I may venture to add, that I have seen, at least, five and twenty marked in the manner already described: and it is scarce possible, considering the multitudes of these plates dispersed in the world, that I should have met with all that were so distinguished.