A copy in reverse of William Hogarth's Plate 1 of A harlot's progress: A scene outside the Bell Inn: a country girl, Moll Hackabout, having just arrived on the York Wagon (seen on the right), meets an extravagantly dressed bawd (Mother Needham); a clergyman on horseback fails to notice the encounter, but a lecherous old gentleman (Colonel Charteris) eyes the girl with anticipation. In the lower left the girl's initials "H.M." (M[ary?] Hackabout, initials reversed on this copy) are on her portmanteau, next to which is a basket with a goose with a note around its neck, "For my Loving Cosen in Tems Stret in London", presumably the person who has failed to meet her. In the background a woman hangs out her laundry on a balcony. A clergyman on horseback fails to notice the encounter as his horse feeds on hay next to the wagon. In the back of the wagon, four other country girls sit holding onto a rail
Alternative Title:
Innocence betrayed, or The journey to London and Innocence trahie, ou, Le voyage de Londres
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 25.7 x 36.3 cm)., Copy of Hogarth's original plate, engraved in reverse as per the piracy published by Elisha Kirkall in 1732., Overprinted with left and right border pieces., Cf. Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 3, no. 2031., and Cf. Paulson, R. Hogarth's graphic works (3rd ed.), no. 121.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Needham, Elizabeth, -1731. and Charteris, Francis, 1675-1732.
Subject (Topic):
Prostitution, Carriages & coaches, City & town life, Clegy, Horses, Lust, Rake's progress, Prostitutes, Signs (Notices), Taverns (Inns), and Young adults
