A copy in reverse of William Hogarth's Plate 4 of A harlot's progress: A scene in Bridewell prison with Moll Hackabout and the other inmates beating hemp under the supervision of a stern warder holding a cane. Moll is still dressed in her finery, but a one-eyed female attendant fingers the lace lappet hanging from her cap and her serving-woman sits before her in Moll's elegant shoes; next to her a fellow inmate picks vermin off her clothes. Next to Moll is a gambler, a torn playing card on the floor in front of him; behind her, a man stands with his hands in a pillory on which hangs a sign "Better to Work than Stand thus." Further down the wall is a whipping post with the words "The Wages of Idleness." On a shudder against the back wall is an effigy of Sir John Gonson ("Sr. J G").
Alternative Title:
Harlot's progress. Plate 4, In Bridewell beating hemp, and Dans la maison de correction a battre le chanvre
Description:
Title in English and French engraved below image., Date of publication based on the series of Rake's progress by Henry Parker dated 25 March 1768 in which these same engraved border pieces are used, here visibly more worn, and reversed on the page., The ornamental borders along the left and right edges are printed from a separate plate (images 25 x 2.8 cm, on plate mark 25.5 x 36 cm)., Copy of Hogarth's original plate, engraved in reverse as per the piracy published by Elisha Kirkall in 1732., Cf. Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 3, no. 2076., and Cf. Paulson, R. Hogarth's graphic works (3rd ed.), no. 124.
