The second stage of cruelty, from the series The four stages of cruelty

Hogarth designed this set of prints with a reforming purpose in mind. In his 'Autobiographical notes' he describes his intention: "'The four stages of cruelty' were done in hopes of preventing in some degree that cruel treatment of poor Animals which makes the streets of London more disagreeable to the human mind, than anything what ever, the very describing of which gives pain." The series relates the career of Tom Nero, a child of the slums, who begins by torturing dogs, progresses to beating horses in the street then, as a grown up, murders his pregnant lover, Ann Gill. Finally, Nero is dissected in an anatomy theatre as an executed criminal, a noose still around his neck.

'Second stage of cruelty' is set 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 cruel or violent popular entertainments such as cockfighting and boxing.