DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61480#0042
34
HOGARTH'S WORKS.
he be laughed at? It must blunt the edge of ridicule, to see natura hilarity defy
depression; and a whole nation laugh, sing, and dance, under burthens that would
nearly break the firm-knit sinews of a Briton. Such was the picture of France at
that period, but it was a picture which our English satirist could not contemplate
with common patience. The swarms of grotesque figures who paraded the streets
excited his indignation, and drew forth a torrent of coarse abusive ridicule, not much
to the honour of his liberality. He compared them to Callot's beggars—Lazarus on
the painted cloth—the prodigal son—or any other object descriptive of extreme con-
tempt. Against giving way to these effusions of national spleen in the open street,
he was frequently cautioned, but advice had no effect; he treated admonition with
scorn, and considered his monitor unworthy the name of Englishman. These satirical
ebullitions were at length checked. Ignorant of the customs of France, and consi-
dering the gate of Calais merely as a piece of ancient architecture, he began to make
a sketch. This was soon observed; he was seized as a spy, who intended to draw a
plan of the fortification, and escorted by a file of musqueteers to M. la Commandant.
His sketch-book was examined, leaf by leaf, and found to contain drawings that had
not the most distant relation to tactics. Notwithstanding this favourable circumstance,
the governor, with great politeness, assured him, that had not a treaty between the
nations been actually signed, he should have been under the disagreeable necessity of
hanging him upon the ramparts : as it was, he must be permitted the privilege of pro-
viding him a few military attendants, who should do themselves the honour of waiting
upon him, while he resided in the dominions of “ the grande monarque." Two senti-
nels were then ordered to escort him to his hotel, from whence they conducted him
to the vessel; nor did they quit their prisoner, until he was a league from shore ;
when, seizing him by the shoulders, and spinning him round upon the deck, they said
he was now at liberty to pursue his voyage without further molestation.
So mortifying an adventure he did not like to hear recited, but has in this print
recorded the circumstance which led to it. In one corner he has given a portrait of
himself, making the drawing; and to shew the moment of arrest, the hand of a ser-
jeant is upon his shoulder.
The French sentinel is so situated, as to give some idea of a figure hanging in
chains: his ragged shirt is trimmed with a pair of paper ruffles. The old woman,
and a fish which she is pointing at, have a striking resemblance. The abundance of
parsnips, and other vegetables, indicate what are the leading articles in a Lenten
feast.
Mr. Pine, the painter, sat for the friar, and from thence acquired the title of Father
Pine. This distinction did not flatter him, and he frequently requested that the coun-
tenance might be altered, but the artist peremptorily refused.
HOGARTH'S WORKS.
he be laughed at? It must blunt the edge of ridicule, to see natura hilarity defy
depression; and a whole nation laugh, sing, and dance, under burthens that would
nearly break the firm-knit sinews of a Briton. Such was the picture of France at
that period, but it was a picture which our English satirist could not contemplate
with common patience. The swarms of grotesque figures who paraded the streets
excited his indignation, and drew forth a torrent of coarse abusive ridicule, not much
to the honour of his liberality. He compared them to Callot's beggars—Lazarus on
the painted cloth—the prodigal son—or any other object descriptive of extreme con-
tempt. Against giving way to these effusions of national spleen in the open street,
he was frequently cautioned, but advice had no effect; he treated admonition with
scorn, and considered his monitor unworthy the name of Englishman. These satirical
ebullitions were at length checked. Ignorant of the customs of France, and consi-
dering the gate of Calais merely as a piece of ancient architecture, he began to make
a sketch. This was soon observed; he was seized as a spy, who intended to draw a
plan of the fortification, and escorted by a file of musqueteers to M. la Commandant.
His sketch-book was examined, leaf by leaf, and found to contain drawings that had
not the most distant relation to tactics. Notwithstanding this favourable circumstance,
the governor, with great politeness, assured him, that had not a treaty between the
nations been actually signed, he should have been under the disagreeable necessity of
hanging him upon the ramparts : as it was, he must be permitted the privilege of pro-
viding him a few military attendants, who should do themselves the honour of waiting
upon him, while he resided in the dominions of “ the grande monarque." Two senti-
nels were then ordered to escort him to his hotel, from whence they conducted him
to the vessel; nor did they quit their prisoner, until he was a league from shore ;
when, seizing him by the shoulders, and spinning him round upon the deck, they said
he was now at liberty to pursue his voyage without further molestation.
So mortifying an adventure he did not like to hear recited, but has in this print
recorded the circumstance which led to it. In one corner he has given a portrait of
himself, making the drawing; and to shew the moment of arrest, the hand of a ser-
jeant is upon his shoulder.
The French sentinel is so situated, as to give some idea of a figure hanging in
chains: his ragged shirt is trimmed with a pair of paper ruffles. The old woman,
and a fish which she is pointing at, have a striking resemblance. The abundance of
parsnips, and other vegetables, indicate what are the leading articles in a Lenten
feast.
Mr. Pine, the painter, sat for the friar, and from thence acquired the title of Father
Pine. This distinction did not flatter him, and he frequently requested that the coun-
tenance might be altered, but the artist peremptorily refused.