Note 37 — HOGARTH.
Reading edition
In the Daily Advertiser of January 27, 1783, I find the following advertisement:—
"HOGARTH'S ORIGINAL WORKS.
"As an opinion generally prevails, that the genuine impressions of Hogarth's works are very bad, and the plates retouched, Mrs. Hogarth is under the necessity of acquainting the public in general, and the admirers of her deceased husband's works in particular, that it has been owing to a want of proper attention in the conducting this work for some years past that the impressions in general have not done justice to the condition of the plates; and she has requested some gentlemen, most eminent in the art of engraving, to inspect the plates, who have given the following opinion:—
"London, January 21, 1873.
"We, whose names are underwritten, having carefully examined the copperplates published by the late Mr. Hogarth, are fully convinced that they have not been retouched since his death.
"Francis Bartolozzi. "Wm. Woollet. "Wm. Wynne Ryland."