t he lays out his pence on things that may
improve his mind, and enlighten his understanding. On the contrary, his
fellow-'prentice, with worn-out coat and uncombed hair, overpowered with
beer, indicated by the half-gallon pot before him, is fallen asleep; and
from the shuttle becoming the plaything of the wanton kitten, we learn
how he slumbers on, inattentive alike to his own and his master's
interest. The ballad of Moll Flanders, on the wall behind him, shows
that the bent of his mind is towards that which is bad; and his book of
instructions lying torn and defaced upon the ground, manifests how
regardless he is of any thing tending to his future welfare.

[Illustration: INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS.

PLATE 1.

THE FELLOW 'PRENTICES AT THEIR LOOMS.]

PLATE II.

THE INDUSTRIOUS 'PRENTICE PERFORMING THE DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN.

"O how I love thy law; it is my meditation all the day."--Psalm
cxix. verse 97.

This plate displays our industrious young man attending divine service
in the same pew with his master's daughter, where he shows every mark of
decent and devout attention.

Mr. Hogarth's strong bias to burlesque was not to be checked by time or
place. It is not easy to imagine any thing more whimsically grotesque
than the female Falstaff. A fellow near her, emulating the deep-toned
organ, and the man beneath, who, though asleep, joins his sonorous tones
in melodious chorus with the admirers of those two pre-eminent poets,
Hopkins and Sternhold. The pew-opener is a very prominent and principal
figure; two old women adjoining Miss West's seat are so much in shadow,
that we are apt to overlook them: they are, however, all three making
the dome ring with their exertions.

Ah! had it been king David's fate
To hear them sing----

The preacher, reader, and clerk, with many of the small figures in the
gallery and beneath, are truly ludicrous, and we regret their being on
so reduced a scale, that they are scarce perceptible to the naked eye.
It was necessary that the artist should exhibit a crowded congregation;
but it must be acknowledged he has neglected the rules of perspective.
The print wants depth. In the countenance of Miss West and her lover
there is a resemblance. Their faces have not much expression; but this
is atoned for by a natural and pleasing simplicity. Character was not
necessary.

[Illustration: INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS.

PLATE 2.

THE INDUSTRIOUS 'PRENTICE PERFORMING THE DUTY