In the weaving shop ont he right Mr. West stands with the apprentice Goodchild on a raised platform, his arm resting casually on the young man's shoulder. Goodchild holds the "Day Book", a purse, and a set of keys.The two gloves on the desk are shown clasping, symbolic of the relationship between the two men. On the left a porter wearing the coat-of-arms of the City of London enters the shop carrying rolls of cloth. The porter has a large carbuncular nose. His dog bares its teeth at the shop cat who hisses back, back arched. In the background workers sit at the looms and spinning wheels; attached to the desk is a calendar from the "London Almanack". The left of the frame is decorated with a scourge, manacles and a hangman's rope; on the right frame hang the mace of the City of London, the alderman's gold chain and a sword of state
Alternative Title:
Industrious apprentice a favourite and entrusted by his master
Description:
Title etched above image., A reduced copy of the fourth plate in the "Industry and idleness" series. For the original plate engraved by Hogarth and published in 1747, see no. 2926 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 3. See also: Paulson, R. Hogarth's graphic works (3rd rev. ed.), no. 171., Caption centered below image, a quote from "Matthew Chap. XXV. Ve. 21": Well done thou good and faithfull servant, thou hast been faithfull over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things., Plate numbered "4" in upper right corner., and Bound in after page 264 in volume 3 of an extra-illustrated copy of: Pennant, T. Some account of London.