Sir Anthony’s reactions are so extreme; poor Lydia had he a say in her future! I suppose viewing the mentally ill was done out of curiosity or as a warning to be good in the case of The Rake’s Progress illustrations? I understand the curiosity to see things, even odd things but it seems too sad an employment to enjoy—Hogarth’s illustration makes it seem like a zoo with the ladies observing the patients behind a large glass window. It must have been something like a carnival freak show which I have never quite understood the attraction of and cannot participate in. I am glad this is a practice left in the past and we have learned to treat the mentally ill with more respect. Thanks JulieW for the interesting and informative post. ;D