Comic Sketches or the Comedian His Own Manager; Written and Selected for the Benefit of Performers in England, Ireland, Scotland and America Inscribed (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1804 Excerpt: ... witness out of Westminster Hall, or a Methodist out of a brothel. The good Story-Teller possesses a fruitful invention, and always sufficient, appropriate words to explain his meaning. In a word, he has judgement to apply his subjects with propriety, spirit to pursue his narrative, and humour to enliven the points most diverting. Mr. Hogarth used to tell a story of his being once in company with several artists, who were boasting of uncommon works each had executed. One, in particular, said, he had written a volume in folio with a single pen, which he had mended 199 times. Another declared he had finished an Equeftrian Statue with only a broken knife for a chisel, and a rolling pin for a mallet. A third stated, he had engraved a copper-plate with no other tool than a rusty nail. "I told them," said Hogarth, "that I once painted a Sacred History Piece with one colour, which was neither heightened or lowered; making the back ground, shades, &c. with one unaltered colour." The company expressed their astonishment, and begged he would relate the method of completing his performance. Hogarth thus informed them: "I was sent for by a Sir Thomas Thornton, a man of singular disposition, to paint his stair-case with some sacred historical piece, applicable to a circumstance which happened to him once; which was his being at sea, where he was pursued and taken by some Algerine Pirates. I asked him what he thought of. the Egyptians pursuing the children of Israel through the red sea? "Egad," said Sir Thomas, "a lucky thought. Well, my dear friend, begin it as soon as possible. But stay, stay hold, hold --What is your price? I always like to make a bargain with you gentlemen of the brum." "Dear, Sir," Hogarth answered, "I can give no answer to that until I have finishe...