_Drawn from the Life, and etched in aquafortis, by William
Hogarth. Published according to Act of Parliament, May 16, 1763._
"Enough of Patriots,--all I ask of man
Is only to be honest as he can.
Some have deceiv'd, and some may still deceive,
'Tis the fool's curse at random to believe.
Would those who, by opinion plac'd on high,
Stand fair and perfect in their country's eye,
Maintain that honour,--let me in their ear
Hint this essential doctrine--PERSEVERE."
--CHURCHILL.
[Illustration: JOHN WILKES ESQ^R.]
The bitter satire upon Hogarth's domestic habits, talents, taste,
originality, and orthography, which has been before noticed, would
have discomposed a less irritable man, and warranted any retaliation
in the power of the pencil; but he seems to have felt little
uneasiness, and under a conviction that the overcharged blunderbuss
which had been aimed at him had burst in the explosion and wounded
his assailant more than himself, did not think it necessary to
point fire-arms at an adversary whose intemperate zeal had defeated
his avowed purpose. Under the influence of these impressions, the
artist has not attempted to be severe; nor can I comprehend upon
what ground this plate has been denominated a satire, for it is not
a caricature, but a very accurate and striking resemblance, with the
identical accompaniments which I most firmly believe Mr. Wilkes would
at that time have chosen as the decorations of his portrait. The cap
of liberty, "Heaven-descended, godlike liberty," above his head, and
two political papers which he acknowledged himself to have written,
on his right hand. One of these papers is marked with that memorable
number, which was in its day a kind of shibboleth to the party.[156]
On the same table with the two _North Britons_ is a pen and ink,
importing that the person delineated is an author, a character the
Colonel could hardly be ashamed of. These premises granted to the
artist,--and
"The very head and front of his offending
Hath this extent, no more,"--
what crime has he committed? He has given an engraving, which cannot
indeed be considered as a compliment, because it is not a flattering
likeness; but I do not see why it should have been received as a
sarcasm. If we add to this the time when, and place where, it was
taken; if we consider how glorious the situation!--how interesting
the moment!--it is delineating a general at the instant of victory;
and so far from bearing any marks of satire, that it might be almost
mistaken for a panegyric. To say the truth, though his friend
Churchill has thrown the picture into shadow, and given only the dark
tints, Mr. Wilkes seemed willing enough to receive it as such;[157]
and I am informed, frequently told his friends that he every day
grew into a stronger resemblance. The pleasant and philosophic
indifference with which he spoke of it at the time, did honour to
his good humour and his good sense. He declared himself very little
concerned about the case of his soul, as he was only tenant for life,
and that the best apology for his person was, that he did not make
himself.[158]
Such was the style of Mr. Wilkes. As to Mr. Churchill, his temper
must have forsaken him; and every circumstance taken into the
account, when describing this transaction, he seems to have forgotten
that satire ought to be at least seasoned with truth. Brilliant
diction, animated verse, and high-sounding words, are very apt to
impose. Churchill's is a muse of fire, and dazzles the eye like the
sun in its meridian splendour; it fascinates the mind, and carries
the most sober reason into the airy regions of imagination. This
considered, before I insert his bitter satire, it will be but fair to
give a candid and dispassionate relation of that which provoked it.
When Mr. Wilkes was the second time brought from the Tower to
Westminster Hall, and had in one day an honourable acquittal, an
universal acclamation, and a proud triumph, Mr. Hogarth attended in
the court of Common Pleas, and, as was his constant custom, carried
a port-crayon in his pocket. Surrounded by a crowd of spectators,
who came to see how the cause would terminate, he took a portrait
of Mr. Wilkes: delineated a patriot at the moment when he was in
his own person asserting the cause of liberty, and by his own trial
ascertaining the law of his country. But, replies an advocate for
Mr. Wilkes, "Hogarth certainly intended to make a caricature."[159]
To this I have no other answer than pointing to the print, which,
being compared with the original, will prove to every dispassionate
inquirer what it is my wish to establish, _i.e._ that it has been
mistaken for a caricature, from the world knowing the provocation
which Hogarth had previously received, and which every man felt would
have justified the most severe retaliation.
What! Consider it as a satire to hand down to posterity a patriot at
the moment of inspiration! "While every breast caught the holy flame
of liberty, and all his fellow-citizens were animated in his cause,
for they knew it to be their own cause, that of their country, and
of its laws. It was declared to be so a few hours afterwards by the
unanimous sentence of the Judges of that Court; and they were all
present."
From the style in which the bard relates this transaction, a plain
reader would be tempted to think that Hogarth had stolen into
Westminster Hall with a quiver full of poisoned arrows hung to his
girdle, and, like a murderous ruffian, hid himself behind the arras,
that he might seize the first opportunity of assassinating this
paragon of patriotism.
"When Wilkes, our countryman, our common friend,
Arose, his king, his country to defend;
When tools of power he bar'd to public view,
And from their holes the sneaking cowards drew;
When Rancour found it far beyond her reach,
To soil his honour, and his truth impeach,--
What could induce thee, at a time and place
Where manly foes had blush'd to show their face,
To make that effort which must damn thy name,
And sink thee deep, deep in the grave with shame!
Did Virtue move thee? no, 'twas pride, rank pride,
And if thou hadst not done it, thou hadst died.
Malice (who, disappointed of her end,
Whether to work the bane of foe or friend,
Preys on herself, and driven to the stake,
Gives virtue that revenge she scorns to take)
Had killed thee, tottering on life's utmost verge,
Had Wilkes and Liberty escaped thy scourge.
"When that great charter which our fathers bought
With their best blood, was into question brought;
When big with ruin, o'er each English head,
Vile Slavery hung suspended by a thread;
When Liberty, all trembling and aghast,
Fear'd for the future, knowing what was past;
When every breast was chill'd with deep despair,
Till reason pointed out that PRATT was there.
Lurking most ruffian-like behind a screen,
So plac'd all things to see, himself unseen,
Virtue with due contempt saw[160] Hogarth stand,
The murderous pencil in his palsied hand.
What was the cause of Liberty to him,
Or what was Honour! let them sink or swim,
So he may gratify without control,
The mean resentments of his selfish soul,
Let Freedom perish, if, to Freedom true,
In the same ruin Wilkes may perish too."
This animated and high-coloured rhapsody, beautiful and fervid as it
is, when reduced to plain prose, ends in Liberty, Virtue, and Honour
being all aghast, because Hogarth took Mr. Wilkes' portrait without
the customary fee! But my readers may be weary of the subject.
Enough--
"Enough of Wilkes,--to good and honest men
His actions speak much stronger than my pen."
--CHURCHILL.
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