Note 12 — HOGARTH.

Among the papers of a lately deceased Virtuosi, I met with a few MS. sheets, entitled Hints for a History of the Arts in Great Britain, from the Accession of the Third George. The following extract proves that painting pictures, called after the ancient masters, was not confined to Italy: we had in England some industrious and laborious artists who, like the unfortunate Chatterton, gave the honours of their best performances to others. The narrative has no date, but some allusions to a late sovereign determine it was a short time before we discovered that there were in our own poets subjects as worthy of the pencil as any found in the idle tales of antiquity, or the still more idle legends of popery:—

"The late edict of the Emperor, for selling the pictures of which he has despoiled the convents, will be a very fortunate circumstance for many of the artists of this country, whose sole employment is painting old pictures; and this will be a glorious opportunity for introducing modern antiques into the cabinets of the curious.

"A most indefatigable dealer, apprehensive that there might be a difficulty, and enormous expense in procuring from abroad a sufficient quantity to gratify the eagerness of the English connoisseurs, has taken the more economical method of having a number painted here. The bill of one of his workmen, which came into my hands by an accident, I think worth preservation, and have taken a copy for the information of future ages. Every picture is at present most sacredly preserved from the public eye, but in the course of a few months will be smoked into antiquity, and may probably be announced in manner and form following:—

"TO THE LOVERS OF VIRTU.

"Mr. —— has the heartfelt pleasure of congratulating the amateurs of the fine arts upon such an opportunity of enriching their collections, as no period from the days of the divine Apelles to the present irradiated era ever produced; nor is it probable that there ever will be in any future age so splendid, superb, brilliant, and matchless an assemblage of unrivalled pictures as he begs leave to announce to the connoisseurs are now exhibiting at his great room in ——, being the principal part of that magnificent bouquet which have been accumulating for so many ages, been preserved with religious care, and contemplated with pious awe, while they had an holy refuge in the peaceful gloom of the convents of Germany. By the edict of the Emperor they are banished from these consecrated walls, and are now emerged from obscurity with undiminished lustre! with all their native charms, mellowed by the tender, softening pencil of time, and introduced to this emporium of taste! this favourite seat of the arts! this exhibition-room of the universe; and when seen, must produce the most pleasing and delightful sensations.

"When it is added, that they were selected by that most judicious and quick-sighted collector, Monsieur D., it will be unnecessary to say more; for his penetrating eye and unerring judgment, his boundless liberality and unremitting industry, have ensured him the protection of a generous public, ever ready to patronize exertions made solely for their gratification!

"N.B.—Descriptive catalogues, with the names of the immortal artists, may be had as above."

THE BILL.

"Monsieur Varnish to Benjamin Bister, debtor.

£s.d.

To painting the Woman caught in Adultery, upon a green ground, by Hans Holbein330

To Solomon's Wise Judgment, on pannel, by Michael Angelo Buonorati2126

To painting and canvas, for a naked Mary Magdalen, in the undoubted style of Paul Veronese220

To brimstone, for smoking ditto026

Paid Mrs. W—— for a live model to sit for Diana bathing, by Tintoretto0168

Paid for the hire of a layman, to copy the robes of a Cardinal, for a Vandyke050

Portrait of a Nun doing Penance, by Albrecht Durer220

Paid the female figure for sitting thirty minutes in a wet sheet, that I might give the dry manner of that master[13]0106

The Tribute-money Rendered, with all the exactness of Quintin Metsius, the famed blacksmith of Antwerp2126

To Ruth at the feet of Boaz, upon an oak board, by Titiano330

St. Anthony Preaching to the Fishes, by Salvator Rosa3100

The Martyrdom of St. Winifred, with a view of Holywell bath, by old Frank1116

To a large allegorical altar-piece, consisting of men and angels, horses and river gods; 'tis thought most happily hit off for a Rubens550

To Susannah Bathing; the two Elders in the background, by Castiglione220

To the Devil and St. Dunstan, highly finished, by Teniers220

To the Queen of Sheba falling down before Solomon, by Morillio2126

To a Judith in the Tent of Holofernes, by Le Brun1160

To a Sisera in the Tent of Jael, its companion, by the same1160

Paid for admission into the House of Peers, to take a sketch of a great character, for a picture of Moses breaking the Tables of the Law, in the darkest manner of Rembrandt, not yet finished026