rth's talents, however, for original comic design, gradually
unfolded themselves, and various public occasions produced displays of
his ludicrous powers.

In the year 1730, he clandestinely married the only daughter of Sir
James Thornhill, the painter, who was not easily reconciled to her union
with an obscure artist, as Hogarth then comparatively was. Shortly
after, he commenced his first great series of moral paintings, "The
Harlot's Progress:" some of these were, at Lady Thornhill's suggestion,
designedly placed by Mrs. Hogarth in her father's way, in order to
reconcile him to her marriage. Being informed by whom they were
executed, Sir James observed, "The man who can produce such
representations as these, can also maintain a wife without a portion."
He soon after, however, relented, and became generous to the young
couple, with whom he lived in great harmony until his death, which took
place in 1733.

In 1733 his genius became conspicuously known. The third scene of "The
Harlot's Progress" introduced him to the notice of the great: at a Board
of Treasury, (which was held a day or two after the appearance of that
print), a copy of it was shown by one of the lords, as containing, among
other excellences, a striking likeness of Sir John Gonson, a celebrated
magistrate of that day, well known for his rigour towards women of the
town. From the Treasury each lord repaired to the print-shop for a copy
of it, and Hogarth rose completely into fame.

Upwards of twelve hundred subscribers entered their names for the
plates, which were copied and imitated on fan mounts, and in a variety
of other forms; and a pantomime taken from them was represented at the
theatre. This performance, together with several subsequent ones of a
similar kind, have placed Hogarth in the rare class of original geniuses
and inventors. He may be said to have created an entirely new species of
painting, which may be termed the _moral comic_; and may be considered
rather as a writer of comedy with a pencil, than as a painter. If
catching the manners and follies of an age, _living as they rise_--if
general satire on vices,--and ridicule familiarised by strokes of
Nature, and heightened by wit,--and the whole animated by proper and
just expressions of the passions,--be comedy, Hogarth composed comedies
as much as Moliere.

Soon after his marriage, Hogarth resided at South Lambeth; and being
intimate with Mr. Tyers, the then spirited proprietor of Vaux