Note 2 — CATALOGUE OF HOGARTH'S PRINTS.[1]
Reading edition
In The Grub-street Journal for December 6, 1733, appeared the following advertisement: "Lately published, (illustrated with six prints, neatly engraven from Mr. Hogarth's Designs,) The Lure of Venus; or a Harlot's Progress. An heroi-comical Poem, in six Cantos, by Mr. Joseph Gay.
"To Mr. Joseph Gay.
"Sir,
"It has been well observed, that a great and just objection to the Genius of Painters is their want of invention; from whence proceeds so many different designs or draughts on the same history or fable. Few have ventured to touch upon a new story; but still fewer have invented both the story and the execution, as the ingenious Mr. Hogarth has done, in his six prints of a Harlot's Progress; and, without a compliment, Sir, your admirable Cantos are a true key and lively explanation of the painter's hieroglyphicks.
"I am, Sir, yours, &c.
"A. Phillips."
This letter, ascribed to Ambrose Phillips, was in all probability a forgery, like the name of Joseph Gay.