In his Analysis, Mr. Hogarth thus writeth:--
"The minuet is allowed by dancing-masters themselves to be the perfection of all dancing. I once heard an eminent dancing-master say, that the minuet had been the study of his whole life, and that he had been indefatigable in the pursuit of its beauties, yet at last could only say with Socrates, _he knew nothing_; adding, that I was happy in my profession as a painter, in that some bounds might be set to the study of it."
[22] Mr. Wilkes informs us that this subject was not thought of until _after_ the publication of Marriage à la Mode. _In_ CHRONOLOGY, _the Chamberlain is not so accurate as Doctor Trusler!_
[23] Mr. Townley, under the signature of a connoisseur, wrote the following lines to Mr. Hogarth on his _Analysis of Beauty_:--
"How could you dare, advent'rous man, To execute so bold a plan, Or such unheard of truths advance? At once so rashly to oppose Those fierce, outrageous, hardy foes, _Fraud_, _Prejudice_, and _Ignorance_!
"To their despotic, cruel sway, Fair Science long has been a prey, All _modern art_ they trampled down; The rising genius they deprest, The British taste they turned to jest, And damn'd at once--because our own.
"The slavish principle _I_ caught, The southern land of merit sought, And learn'd to think, to see, to say Eager I ran through every town, Penn'd every observation down, And gather'd judgment by the way.
"On foreign tales and terms of art, On scraps of French, got well by heart, And _learned guides_, was my reliance; With light and shade my head I fill, The _style_ of schools was all my skill. _The painter's name_ was all my science.
"Thus deeply tutor'd, I return'd, And o'er my tasteless country mourn'd; I pitied first, then laugh'd and sneer'd; Then curs'd the crude unfinish'd tints, The statues, busto's, vases, prints, When lo! th' ANALYSIS appear'd.
"I smil'd and read; grew grave--read on; Was pleas'd; the truths apparent shone; Nor could my prejudice resist 'em. _The Line of Beauty_ I survey'd, The arguments I fairly weigh'd, And then acknowledg'd all your system.
"With reverence, and respect, like you, The ancient works of art I view; But, like you, see with my own eyes; Abhor the tricks so grossly play'd, Lament the science sunk to trade, And dealers from my soul despise.