DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2056#0170
THE RAKE'S PROGRESS. 2J
tendant upon a female's deviation from virtue.
In this he presents to us the picture of a young
man, thoughtless, extravagant, and licentious;
and, in colours equally impressive, paints the de-
structive consequences of his conduct. The first
print most forcibly contrasts two opposite pas-
sions ; the unthinking negligence of youth, and
the sordid avaricious rapacity of age. It brings
into one point of view what Mr. Pope so ex-
quisitely describes in his Epistle to Lord Ba-
thurst.
" Who sees pale Mammon pine amidst his store,
" Sees but a backward steward for the poor:
" This year a reservoir, to keep and spare;
" The next a fountain, spouting through his heir."
It represents a young man taking possession of
a rich miser's effects, and is crowded with the mo-
numents of departed avarice. Every thing va-
luable, or not valuable, has been hoarded. A
chest of old plate; an old coat; a worn-out boot;
and the caul of a periwig, arc preserved with
equal care. The thread-bare garments are hung
up ■ the rusty spur put into a closet; and even
a spectacle-frame, without glasses, is thought
by Boitard, were inscribed six miserable verses: our painter
of domestic story, finding they had some effect, requested
his friend Dr. Hoadley to explain the Rake's Progress by
poetical illustrations. The request was complied with; and
the verses to each print are added to this work.
tendant upon a female's deviation from virtue.
In this he presents to us the picture of a young
man, thoughtless, extravagant, and licentious;
and, in colours equally impressive, paints the de-
structive consequences of his conduct. The first
print most forcibly contrasts two opposite pas-
sions ; the unthinking negligence of youth, and
the sordid avaricious rapacity of age. It brings
into one point of view what Mr. Pope so ex-
quisitely describes in his Epistle to Lord Ba-
thurst.
" Who sees pale Mammon pine amidst his store,
" Sees but a backward steward for the poor:
" This year a reservoir, to keep and spare;
" The next a fountain, spouting through his heir."
It represents a young man taking possession of
a rich miser's effects, and is crowded with the mo-
numents of departed avarice. Every thing va-
luable, or not valuable, has been hoarded. A
chest of old plate; an old coat; a worn-out boot;
and the caul of a periwig, arc preserved with
equal care. The thread-bare garments are hung
up ■ the rusty spur put into a closet; and even
a spectacle-frame, without glasses, is thought
by Boitard, were inscribed six miserable verses: our painter
of domestic story, finding they had some effect, requested
his friend Dr. Hoadley to explain the Rake's Progress by
poetical illustrations. The request was complied with; and
the verses to each print are added to this work.