'Industry and Idleness Plate 9 Idle Prentice Betrayed'. 1 of a set of 12 from the Cook Edition. Published by Robinson of London 1 October 1795.  Plate size 27.5cm x 37cm.  Engraving.  
 
Industry and Idleness charts the careers of two City apprentices. Hogarth later described the series as ‘calculated for the use & instruction of Youth’. The ‘good’ apprentice, Francis Goodchild, and ‘bad’ apprentice, Tom Idle, are seen together in Plates 1 and 10. Throughout the rest of the series their respective ‘careers’ are compared and contrasted. The moral is quite clear. Apply yourself and success will come your way. Conversely, don't apply yourself and life could become quite an ordeal. 
 
William Hogarth (1697–1764).   English painter, printmaker, pictorial satirist, & social critic, remembered as the father of satirical caricatures and moral paintings, a genre which would later develop into cartoons. His series of moral paintings, such as 'A Harlot's Progress' and 'A Rake's Progress'took a satirical look at the government and social scene of the day, and highlighted the best and worst parts of English culture. Satirical political illustrations in this style are often referred to as "Hogarthian". His engravings which were sold in large numbers to people who would not have been able to previously afford art. He is said to have brought art to the common man for the first time in history.  These Cook edition engravings are in excellent condition and the best of his satirical musings.