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The amazing web site of Shakespeare's Sonnets. The Midnight Conversation, by Hogarth.

HAKESPEARE'S     ONNETS

This is part of the web site of Shakespeare's sonnets

 

PICTURE GALLERY.

William Hogarth 1697 - 1764.

 
 The Midnight Conversation  1732.    

The company are supposed to have assembled at a tavern to discuss literary and political questions in a friendly and sociable manner.  But clearly it develops into a very bibulous evening.  Several characters have been identified.  Parson Henley of Clare Market presides and ladles out the punch. Kettleby, a well known lawyer of the time who is supposed to have a squint and a sardonic smile (possibly the figure to the left of the punch bowl) has his ear bent by perhaps one of his clients.  A gentleman or an officer has fallen off his chair in a drunken stupor and has lost his wig.  The editor of a newspaper has almost set himself alight.  And so on.  Originally the following verse was appended to the print:
  
Think not to find one meant resemblance here,
We lash the Vices but the Persons spare.  
Prints should be priz'd, as Authors should be read
Who sharply smile prevailing Folly dead.  
So Rabiaes laught, and so Cervantes thought,
So Nature dictated what Art has taught.  


The Midnight Conversation

  William Hogarth

British Artist and Engraver

The Midnight Conversation.  

Engraving, published  circa 1732
 
 



The Midnight Conversation



Source:  Hogarth's Works published by J. Dicks, 313 The Strand, London.  Circa 1880.  


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Shakespeare's Sonnets:

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Views of London
as it was in 1616.
London Bridge
As it was in Shakespeare's day, circa 1600.
To search for a line or phrase in the sonnets go to the
sonnets as plain text

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Views of London
as it was in 1616.
 London Bridge
As it was in Shakespeare's day, circa 1600.
To search for a line or phrase in the sonnets go to the
Sonnets as plain text

and use the browser text search engine.
     

 

 

 

Sonnets 1 - 50    Back to home page
Sonnets 51 - 100   If you have enjoyed this web site, please visit its companion -
Pushkin's Poems
Sonnets 101 - 154    If you wish to comment on this site please refer to details on the home page.
   Copyright Šof this site belongs to Oxquarry Books Ltd

The Midnight Conversation


 The Midnight Conversation

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 Copyright Šof this site belongs to Oxquarry Books Ltd