BEDE.

_Hogarth's Works._--Observing an inquiry made in Vol. vii., p. 181. of
"N. & Q." about a picture described in Mrs. Hogarth's sale catalogue of
her husband's effects in 1790, made by Mr. Haggard, I am induced to ask
whether a copy of the catalogue, as far as it relates to the pictures,
would not be a valuable article for your curious miscellany? It appears
from all the lives of Hogarth, that he early in life painted small
family portraits, which were then well esteemed. Are any of them known,
and where are they to be seen? Were they mere portraits, or full-length?
Are any of them engraved? I had once a picture, of about that date,
which represented a large house with a court-yard, and a long garden
wall, with a road and iron gate, something like the old wall and road of
Kensington Gardens, with the master, mistress, and dog walking in front
of the house, and evidently portraits. I always suspected it might be by
Hogarth; but I am very sorry to say I parted with it at auction for a
few shillings. It was (say) two feet square: the figures were about four
inches in height, and dressed in the then fashion. I would further ask
if any oil painting or sketches are known of the minor engravings, such
as "The Laughing Audience," "The Lecture," "The Doctors," &c.?

AN AMATEUR.

_Town Plough_ (Vol. vi., p. 462.; Vol. vii., p. 129.).--In Vol vi., p.
462., GASTRON notices the Town Plough; and it is again noticed by S. S.
S. (Vol. vii., p. 129.) as never having been seen by him mentioned in
ancient churchwardens' accounts.

Not ten years since there was in the belfry of Caston Church,
Northamptonshire, a large clumsy-looking instrument, the use of which
was not apparent at first sight, being a number of rough pieces of
timber, put together as roughly. On nearer inspection, however, it
turned out to be a plough, worm-eaten and decayed, I should think at
least three times as large and heavy as the common ploughs of the time
when I saw the one in question. I have often wondered at the rudeness
and apparent antiquity of that plough, and whether on "Plough Monday" it
had ever made the circuit of the village to assist in levying
contributions.

I have only for a week or two been in the possession of "N. & Q." when
having accidentally, and for the first time, met with the Number for
that week, I could not resist the temptation of becoming the owner of
the complete series. Under these circumstances, you will excuse me if I
a