This print as originally made as a subscription ticket for "A Rake's Progress" and "Southwark Fair." An audience of men and women in a theatre pit, all but one man laughing uproariously. Above them in a box, two gentleman ignore the stage in favor of an orange girl and another young woman who takes a pinch of snuff. Another orange girl reaches from the pit to tug at the sleeve of one of the gentlemen.
This print was designed by William Hogarth as an emblematic representation of the chances of fate or fortune. The engraved postscript explains the figures.
Scene from John 5. The central protagonist is the man unable to reach the pool to be healed on account of a chronic ulcerous wound on his leg. He is then healed by Jesus.
An anatomy theatre where Nero's body is being dissected; on either side are skeletons labeled "Gentn: Harry" and "Macleane" after two recently hanged criminals.
A street scene outside Thavies Inn, Holborn. In the foreground, a coach has overturned and four lawyers scramble out while Tom Nero, the coachman, beats the injured horse; other cruel and careless incidents take place beyond, and on the wall are broadsides advertising a cock-fight and a boxing bout.
Hogarth's first major commission for book illustrations was for Aubry de la Motraye's "Travels." Hogarth took only the costumes and created his own poses.
Interior of a church where the congregation sleeps as the clergyman reads from the gospel and the clerk eyes the exposed bosom of a young woman asleep on the right.
Scene outside the 'Old Angle In', an inn with the sign of an angel that gives the proprietor as 'Toms. Bates', and a stop for coaches on the road to London.
A city on fire, emblematic of the Seven Years War and George III's efforts to bring about peace. In the center, a fire-engine on which stands a man with a badge lettered "GR" aiming his hose at a shop-sign of the globe. Other fire-fighters dressed as soldiers, sailors and Scots in plaid. Beyond, a group of City of London aldermen and butchers cheer William Pitt standing on stilts and pumping bellows to encourage the flames.
The water used to put out the fire in The Times, pl. 1 is turned to peaceful uses and the firefighters are transformed into gardeners. This print is based on the ancient metaphor of the king as Fountain of Honor.