Trusler, John; Hogarth, J.; Nichols, John; Hogarth, William [Ill.]; Hogarth, J. [Bearb.]; Nichols, John [Bearb.]: The Works Of William Hogarth In A Series Of Engravings: With Descriptions And A Cmment On Their Moral Tendency (London: Published By Jones And Co., 1833)

HOGARTH'S WORKS.

THE RAKES PROGRESS.

Of all the follies in human life, there is none greater than that of extra-
vagance, or profuseness; it being constant labour, without the least ease or
relaxation. It bears, indeed, the colour of that which is commendable, and
would fain be thought to take its rise from laudable motives, searching
indefatigably after true felicity; now as there can be no true felicity without
content, it is this which every man is in constant pursuit of; the learned,
for instance, in his industrious quest after knowledge; the merchant, in his
dangerous voyages ; the ambitious, in his passionate pursuit of honour ; the
conqueror, in his earnest desire of victory ; the politician, in his deep-laid
designs ; the wanton, in his pleasing charms of beauty ; the covetous, in his
unwearied heaping-up of treasure; and the prodigal, in his general and
extravagant indulgence.—Thus far it may be well ;—but, so mistaken are we
in our road, as to run on in the very opposite tract, which leads directly to
our ruin. Whatever else we indulge ourselves in, is attended with some
small degree of relish, and has some trifling satisfaction in the enjoyment,
but, in this, the farther we go, the more we are lost; and when arrived at
the mark proposed, we are as far from the object we pursue, as when we first
set out. Here then, are we inexcusable, in not attending to the secret
dictates of reason, and in stopping our ears at the timely admonitions of
friendship. Headstrong and ungovernable, we pursue our course without
intermission; thoughtless and unwary, we see not the dangers that lie
immediately before us; but hurry on, even without sight of our object, till

3.