Chapter II: Part 2

As to 'his Venuses' Mrs. Nollekens invariably continued to express the most derogatory opinions, since she regarded his fair models as 'abandoned huzzies, with whom she had no patience,' regarding her eccentric spouse as quite on their level, for she cherished the extraordinary conviction that after his marriage he ought to have 'dispensed with such people.' While Mrs. Nollekens was unduly mindful of her husband's favourite models, it seems these ladies, under altered circumstances, occasionally amused themselves by reminding the sculptor of their former acquaintance, on which pleasant fact his biographer does not fail to enlarge, in more than one instance:--

'Our sculptor would sometimes amuse himself, on a summer's evening, by standing with his arms behind him at the yard-gate, which opened into Titchfield Street. During one of these indulgences, as a lady was passing, most elegantly dressed, attended by a strapping footman in silver-laced livery, with a tall gilt-headed cane, she nodded to him, and, smiling, asked him if he did not know her. On his reply that he did not recollect her, "What, sir!" exclaimed she, "do you forget Miss Coleman, who brought a letter to you from Charles Townley, to compare limbs with your Venus? Why, I have been with you twenty times in that little room, to stand for your Venus." "Oh! _lawk-a-daisy_, so you have!" answered Nollekens. "Why, what a fine woman you're grown! Come, walk in, and I'll show you your figure--I have done it in marble." After desiring the man to stop at the gate she went in with him; and upon seeing Mrs. Nollekens at the parlour-window, who was pretending to talk to and feed her sister's bullfinch, but who had been informed by the vigilant Bronze (the eccentric maid-servant of this odd pair) of what had been going on at the gate, she went up to her and said, "Madam, I have to thank----." Mrs. Nollekens then elevated herself on her toes, and, with a lisping palpitation, began to address the lady. "Oh, dear," observed Miss Coleman, "and you don't know me! You have given me many a basin of broth in the depth of winter, when I used to stand for Venus." Mrs. Nollekens, not knowing what to think of Joseph, shook her head at him as she slammed the window, at the same time exclaiming, "Oh, fie! Mr. Nollekens! Fie! fie!" Bronze assured me that when her master went into the front parlour he had a pretty warm reception. "What!" said her mistress, "to know such wretches after you have done with them in your studio!"'

In Rowlandson's picture the sculptor is actually at work on a Venus and Cupid; one of his most successful models.[2]

1800. _Rainbow Tavern, in Fleet Street, in 1800._

1800. _Remarks on a Tour to North and South Wales in the year 1797_, by Henry Wigstead, with plates from Rowlandson, Pugh, Howitt, &c. (Aquatinted by J. Hill.) London: Published by W. Wigstead, 40 Charing Cross. 8vo.--The particulars of the tour undertaken under these auspices are thus briefly set forth by one of the travellers:--

'The romantic and picturesque scenery of North and South Wales, having within these few years been considered highly noticeable and attractive, I was induced to visit this Principality with my friend Mr. Rowlandson, whose abilities as an artist need no eulogium from me. We left London in August 1797, highly expectant of gratification: nor were our highest hopes in the least frustrated.

'At the time of our excursion I had no idea of submitting to the public any of our minutes or sketches; but, as several of the subjects amongst our scenery have become topics of admiration, as well to the artist as cursory traveller, I have in the following sheets endeavoured to give a faint idea of their beauties; accompanied by some short remarks on the road, merely intended as a sort of _vade mecum_ to stimulate the readers to further and more important enquiries; and in order, if possible, that they may, by being apprised of many inconveniences we experienced, be enabled to avoid them.'

_Plates._

Coventry, with a view of the effigy of Peeping Tom, and the King's
Head. By T. Rowlandson.
Wolverhampton. The Market, Bevan's Toy Shop, and the Church. By T.
Rowlandson.
Langollen.
The King's Apartments, Conway Castle.
Penmanmawr. H. Wigstead, _del._
Caernarvon.
Snowdon, from Llanberris Lake. H. Wigstead, _del._

Speaking of the natives of Llanberris, Wigstead describes them in such picturesque terms that we are tempted to quote the paragraph:--

'The people here are really almost in a state of simple nature. The value of money is scarcely known; they pay the rent of their premises in cattle generally, which they breed on their land. Flesh is scarce ever tasted by them; and, except when visitors leave behind remnants of wine, ale, &c., milk is the principal beverage that passes their lips. They are remarkably observant of any decorations worn by ladies, such as beads, laces, and feathers, which strengthened my opinion of their similitude with the Otaheiteans, &c. These they admire, and handle with a sort of rudeness bordering on savage manners, likely to raise alarm in the breast of the fair wearer.'

Nantz Mill and Bethgellert. By T. Rowlandson.
Pont Aberglasslyn. By H. Wigstead.
Festiniog. By T. Rowlandson.
A Welsh Landlady (fac-similed from the original drawing). By H.
Wigstead.
Waterfall near Dolghelly.
Aberystwith.
Cardigan. T. Rowlandson, _del._
Inside of a Kitchen at Newcastle (near Carmarthen). By T.
Rowlandson.

The latter subject pictures forth a capital interior, in Rowlandson's own graphic manner. A turnspit is represented in his wheel, with the chain attached to the spit, for roasting the joint before the fire. It is reasonable that these poor creatures, tired of the squirrel-like performance, should have welcomed the mechanical contrivance of the roasting-jack.[3] The tourist describes one difficulty the epicure encountered under the ancient state of things:--'_Newcastle_ is a pleasant village; a decent inn here; a dog is employed as turnspit. Great care is taken that the animal does not observe the cook approach the larder; if he does he immediately hides himself for the remainder of the day, and the guest must be satisfied with more humble fare than intended.'

Swansea. By T. Rowlandson.
Cardiff Castle. By T. Rowlandson.
Caerphilly Castle. By T. Rowlandson.
The Hanging Tower at Caerphilly. By H. Wigstead.
The Union of the Wye with the Severn, from Chepstow.
Tintern Abbey.
Raglan Castle. By T. Rowlandson.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] _Life of Nollekens_, vol. i. p. 79.

[2] _Venus Chiding Cupid_, executed for Lord Yarborough. 'Nollekens was so provoked by an accident which happened to one of his figures during the Exhibition at Somerset House, that he threatened F. M. Newton, the Secretary, who made light of the affair, should this Venus be in any way injured, to break every bone in his skin.'--_Nollekens and his Times_, by John Thomas Smith.

[3] 'The mode of teaching turnspits their business was more summary than humane. The dog was put in a wheel, and a burning coal with him; he could not stop without burning his legs, and so was kept on the full gallop. These dogs were by no means fond of their profession; it was indeed hard work to them in a wheel for two or three hours, turning a piece of meat which was twice their own weight. It is recorded of the turnspit-dogs of Bath that one Sunday, when they had, as usual, followed their mistresses to church, the lesson of the day happened to be that chapter of Ezekiel wherein the self-moving chariots are described. When the first word "wheel" was pronounced all the curs pricked up their ears in alarm; at the second "wheel" they set up a doleful howl; and when the dreaded word was uttered a third time every one of them scampered out of church as fast as he could, with his tail between his legs.'--John Foster, in Hone's _Everyday Book_, December 17, 1826.

1801.

_January 1, 1801._ _The Epicure._ Published by S. W. Fores. (_See_ 1788.)

_January 1, 1801._ _A Money Scrivener._ (Companion to _A Counsellor_.) S. W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly.--The scrivener inhabits a poor, squalid office; his clerk is perched on a high stool by the window. The worthy wears a nightcap, and has a quill behind his ear; he is poring over a ledger at a tumbledown desk; one finger on his nose illustrates his absorption in some weighty deliberation. Files of accounts and boxes of deeds and papers form the rest of the scrivener's surroundings.

_January 1, 1801._ _A Counsellor._ Published by S. W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly.

_January 1801._ _The Union._ Published by Ackermann.--Pitt, a burlesque St. George, clad in armour, is seated on the British bull, who is horn-locked, nose to nose, snorting forth challenges in the face of the furious Irish bull, on which is mounted St. Patrick, with mitre and crozier. The national Irish saint, whose beard gives him the expression of a Jew, is crying, ''Pon my conscience I don't know what you call it, but the deuce of anything like a Union do I see, except their horns being fastened together.' Pitt replies, 'Never fear, St. Patrick; all will be yet very well; they are a little restive at first, but they will take to it kindly enough by and by, I'll warrant you.'

_January 1, 1801._ _A Jew Broker._ Published by S. W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly.--Shylock, with his bond in the pocket of his gaberdine and his crutch-stick under his arm, is abstractedly polishing his glasses, although his watchful eyes are sharp enough without any artificial assistance, as he stands at the corner of Duke's Place, then the accepted rallying-point of his tribe. His face expresses a profoundly baffled emotion, which is portrayed with a masterly hand. He is musing, in abject despair, over a chance lost, a bargain missed, a gain which has slipped through his prehensile fingers. Some Antonio of our modern Venice founded on the shores of the Thames has escaped his toils; some point of law, a flaw in the indentures, mayhap, has been turned to account by a later 'Daniel come to judgment--a wise young judge,' to whom the disconcerted Hebrew is finally loth to offer his gratitude. He seemingly mumbles, with the pertinacity of Shylock:--

My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,
The penalty and forfeit of my bond.

_January 15, 1801._ _The Brilliants_, (21-1/4 × 16.) Published by R. Ackermann, 101 Strand.--We are not prepared with any special particulars as to the foundation of this convivial club; but we may record a solitary gratuitous observation, that in spite of the melancholy and frequent carpings, on puritanical grounds, which are now in fashion, over the growing degeneracy of the times in which we live--the sanctimonious being given to assert that each succeeding generation inveterately surpasses the excesses of its predecessors--in the instances of drinking and gaming our ancestors went to extremes beside which our modern dissipations, in their wildest excesses, fall into paltry insignificance. The clubs of the past, in the item of iniquity, although the institution was in its infancy, surpassed those of the present day in such a degree that our 'fastest' haunts appear prudish by comparison.

As to _The Brilliants_, we do not accept the scene, in its literal sense, as a faithful transcript of current amusements as practised at the commencement of the century; but, allowing for the exaggeration of burlesque, we are far from denying that it is founded on actual observation, in an age notoriously given to conviviality, which was carried, in all phases of society, beyond the bounds of discretion, and, in some instances, to a decree incredible in our times. Their Royal Highnesses the Princes of the Blood, their Graces the Dukes, the proverbially drunken Lords, the Right Honourable Ministers of State, Honourable Members of every political shade, and gallant and learned gentlemen of the various services and professions, were, with the rest of the community, without mentioning notorious and personal instances, under no restraint of decorum in regard to inebriety; and, if we may trust their own chroniclers, exhibited themselves without reserve as frequently drunk as sober. If, in our charitable concessions to the failings of our ancestors, we assume that our artist has exercised undue licence in the representation of their failings, from the president of _The Brilliants_ downwards, we must further take 'a grain of salt' to qualify our belief in the fidelity with which he has transmitted us the 'club rules.' It is impossible that any convivialist could continue to be 'brilliant' after his senses were diluted by the amount of fluid prescribed as a qualification for membership; the light that was in him must be effectally extinguished by the vinous drenching that was _de rigueur_:--

'RULES TO BE OBSERVED IN THIS SOCIETY.

'1st. That each member shall fill a half-pint bumper to the first
toast.
'2nd. That after twenty-four bumper toasts are gone round every
member may fill as he pleases.
'3rd. That any member refusing to comply with the above regulations
to be fined, _i.e._ compelled to swallow a bumper of salt and
water.'

_January 15, 1801._ _Undertakers Regaling._ John Nixon, Esq., del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann, 101 Strand.--This large plate, which is designed with a due appreciation of grim humour and tipsy jocularity, introduces the traditional relaxations of the funeral furnishers, whose jollifications are supposed to offer the most ghastly contrast to their sober professional duties. On a convenient plot of grass mutes, wandsmen, hearse-drivers, and all the other melancholy functionaries of the last rites of unconscious humanity, are picnicking with a true zest and appreciation of rural freedom. A substantial pie, and other suggestive 'funeral baked meats,' are being disposed of to the best advantage; but, excellent trenchermen though the undertakers may prove themselves, their main distinction must rest on their bibulous qualities; the members of the fraternity are applying themselves with hearty goodwill to the fluids, far on the road to becoming 'glorious,' while some of the party have already reached their congenial stage 'of half seas over.' These festivities, of course, take place in the vicinity of a 'house of call for funerals,' at the sign of 'The Owl,' in the neighbourhood of a burial-ground, the hospitable hostelry being kept by 'Robert Death,' whose inn is a resting-place for all returning hearses on that particular road. Groups of gentlemen engaged in the 'black business' are seated at tables, enjoying their long clay pipes, or otherwise diverting themselves with romping and horse-play; the members of another party, preparing to resume their route back to the metropolis, are on the roof of their hearse, their legs hanging over the side with pastoral-like simplicity, smoking their 'church-wardens' and hobnobbing their pewter quart pots with true bacchanalian appreciation of the enjoyments of the hour. The results of too indiscriminate indulgence are noticeable in the dangerous situation of those coaches which are attempting to 'homeward wend their melancholy way,' and are being overturned in the process by their tipsy drivers.

_January 20, 1801._ _Symptoms of Sanctity._ Published by S. W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly.--This subject--which, to say the least of it, is suggestively bold, though by no means, in our opinion, coming under the enumeration of 'risky _equivoque_'--might be fittingly described as Superstition and Sensuality; the pious belief, amounting to fanaticism, of the conventual 'Sister' contrasting strongly with the licentious impiety of the gross priest.

_January 30, 1801._ _Single Combat, in Moorfields, or Magnanimous Paul O! Challenging All O!_ Published by R. Ackermann, 101 Strand.--The ring is formed in Moorfields, crowds of spectators are gathered around, the curious have climbed up every available point of sight, and observers are scrambling over the roofs. 'Magnanimous Paul O!' the mad Emperor, is represented as a Russian bear; his sword is tempered 'à la Suwarrow,' and his shield is inscribed 'Swallow all O!' The British champion, Pitt, encased in a demi-suit of mail, is jauntily meeting his adversery; the Minister's sword is tempered 'à la Nelson,' and the names of his redoubtable admirals, Howe, Duncan, Nelson, Jervis, and Parker, are the safeguards of his buckler. A Russian general, who is acting as his master's squire, is reading Paul's extraordinary cartel: 'Be it known to all men, that my master, the most magnanimous, most puissant, most powerful, and most wonderful Great Bear of the North, being in his sound and sober senses, challenges the whole world to single combat, and commences his first trial of skill here, in Moorfields, after which it is his intention to pursue his travels, and visit every Court in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.'

The Emperor Paul, who had acquired almost universal popularity at the commencement of his reign by putting himself at the head of the allied armies which were opposing the victorious career of Napoleon, now astonished his admirers in England by a complete change of policy. He proclaimed himself Grand Master of Malta, which had been conquered by us in 1800. The British Government refused to recognise his authority; the Emperor in revenge laid an embargo upon all British ships in Russian ports, and succeeded in inducing the Danish, Swedish, and Prussian Courts to enter into a convention to protect their commerce against the encroachments of the English. Gillray has drawn the ill-favoured and mad sovereign, under the title '_Mens turpe, corpore turpi_,' trampling on the treaty of alliance into which he had entered in concert with Austria and England.

Some two months after the issue of this caricature the wayward tyranny of the Emperor, who gave unmistakable evidence of mental aberration, became insupportable, and he was requested to abdicate. Paul obstinately clung to absolute power, but in spite of his precautions a conspiracy was organised by his disgusted nobles, his palace was entered, and he was strangled with his own military scarf, which, by the way, the satirists always drew of extravagant dimencions well suited for such a purpose.

It will be remembered that Paul's career was an unfortunate one, and the vicissitudes of his youth may have disordered his faculties. On his birth his father, Peter the Third, issued a ukase denying the legitimacy of his son's paternity: on the publication of this statement the Empress put her husband to death. Paul's earlier years were harassed by trouble, and the last act of his mother was a fruitless effort to exclude him from the succession. His reign commenced auspiciously; acts of clemency and munificence distinguished his government; as the head of the alliance against France he was looked upon as the legitimate champion of monarchy. After sharing the defeats sustained by the allied armies his views underwent a remarkable change. Buonaparte, with his matchless discrimination, contrived to flatter the Emperor's vanity, and, among other strokes of policy, returned all the Russian prisoners, well-armed and newly-clad. Paul now entered into a defensive alliance with France to drive the English out of India; and, to destroy our maritime supremacy, he established the Northern Confederation for the suppression of British commerce.

The caricature _Single Combat in Moorfields_ is founded on an extraordinary proceeding, which filled Europe with astonishment at its unequalled eccentricity. The Emperor published an advertisement in the _Court Gazette_ of St. Petersburg, stating, to the amazement of the world, that, as 'the Powers could not agree among themselves, he intended to point out a spot, to which all the other sovereigns were invited to repair, TO FIGHT IN SINGLE COMBAT, bringing with them, as seconds and esquires, their most enlightened ministers and ablest generals.' His subjects were continually annoyed by acts of minor and fantastic oppression--such as an edict against 'round hats and pantaloons,' which he forbade any person to wear in his empire. He enforced the revival of hair-powder and pigtails, and issued a proclamation to compel all persons whom he encountered in the street to leave their carriages and prostrate themselves before him. No one was safe from his paroxysms. The carriage of the British Ambassador passed the Imperial Palace at a pace which the Emperor chose to consider disrespectful; he immediately ordered the coachman to be beaten, the horses to be beaten, and the carriage to be beaten. The Ambassador in return resented these indignities by discharging his servants, ordering his horses to be shot, and his carriage to be thrown into the Neva. An insane autocrat was found to be a formidable calamity.

The favourable reception accorded to _Country Characters_, _Matrimonial Comforts_, &c., induced Woodward to design further successions of subjects, enlisting the assistance of Rowlandson to carry out his ideas. In 1801, the year following, appeared a series of broadsides, _Prayers_ and _Journals_; each sheet contained a coloured illustration, designed by Woodward and etched by Rowlandson; the space below the design was filled up with descriptive matter from Woodward's pen, that worthy being given to the cultivation of the various Muses in turn. The letterpress, which occupied the larger half of these broadsides, was printed by E. Spragg, 27 Bow Street, Covent Garden; and the series was published by R. Ackermann, 101 Strand. Our readers will be able to form an impression of these compositions from the occasional extracts we offer; these _Prayers_, _Journals_, &c., are not of sufficient consequence to warrant us in offering repetitions at length.

_February 10, 1801._ _The Old Maid's Prayer._ (Addressed to Diana.) Designed by Woodward. Published by T. Rowlandson.

_February 10, 1801._ _The Epicure's Prayer._ Designed by Woodward. Published by T. Rowlandson.

1801. _The Maiden's Prayer._ Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann.--This petition is addressed to 'O thou divine little Cupid,' while the fair votary, who is still a susceptible and romantic boarding-school miss, is recounting her various love affairs, and praying the rosy deity to bless and make fortunate her several concealed (and imaginary) passions for such male creatures as she has chanced to encounter in the daily routine of school-life, the music-master, a drill-sergeant, Parson Pert, and similar characters, who are probably regarded with similar emotion by the remainder of the pupils.

1801. _The Miser's Prayer._ Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann.--The devotions of Old Avarice, which are necessarily very profound and earnest, are offered appropriately at the feet of his divinity, 'Plutus, God of Riches'; the temple of wealth is not exteriorly sumptuous; the carpet is a rag; a strong-box, a broken chair, and a rushlight make up the sordid furniture. The miser is confessing that he possesses nine houses, estates in Essex, mortgages in Hertford, large landed speculations in Russell Square and the neighbourhood, reversions of estates, trading ventures, 'Mermaid' sloop, funded property, Government securities, &c., &c.; he is beseeching an increase of his means, success to his investments, and a rise in the 'Stocks.'

_June 4, 1801._ _The Widow's Prayer._--A widow, still young and blooming, is shown kneeling before the empty chair of the late lamented partner of her joys; the bereaved lady is looking forward to consolation; her supplications are offered to Hymen for a fourth spouse, and she is praying, that should the new husband who is to follow be as unfortunate as his predecessors, the number of happy men may be extended to seven; or more if need be.

_June 25, 1801._ _The Maid of Allwork's Prayer._--The picture at the head of this invocation represents a neat and pretty young housemaid; she is offering up her petitions to the household gods who preside over cleanliness and good management. The desires of her heart are that a handsome fellow-servant may gain the humble worshipper and lead her into the _frying-pan_ of matrimony. Let these but be her _wages_ and she will submit cheerfully to her labours, nor ever breathe a sigh for greater liberty than to _make her bed_ in peace and sleep contented.

_July 30, 1801._ _The Apothecary's Prayer_ is appropriately offered to Esculapius, and is truly professional in spirit, since the aspirations of the little knight of the pestle are turned to the increase of fevers, catarrhs, gout, cramp, agues, and infirmities in general, for the special advantage of his slack professional prospects and the good of his generous ally the undertaker, who is in need of the apothecary's friendly co-operation, the demand for funerals having fallen off of late.

_July 30, 1801._ _The Quack Doctor's Prayer_ is addressed, over a chest of patent quack medicines, to the illustrious shade of the renowned Doctor Rock. The empiric candidly confesses that his miraculous _Cure-all-able Vegetable Drops_, _Never Infailibus Infallibus_, supposed to issue from the laboratory of Esculapius himself, are nothing more than a decoction of beetroot, lump-sugar, spring-water, cognac brandy, and Hollands gin. The Quack Doctor prays that his carriages and equipages, his town and country residences, and all other good things of life, may be continued to reward his impudent charlatanism.

_August 1, 1801._ _The Stockjobber's Prayer_ is prayed by the pious speculator, bank-book in hand, and is offered to the adorable and ancient Lady of Threadneedle Street. The wishes of the stockjobber refer to 'rises in the Funds' and 'undertakings in the _Alley_,' and conclude with a pious hope that he may never have the misfortune to '_waddle out_ a poor and neglected lame duck.'

_August 1, 1801._ _The Female Gambler's Prayer_ commences with an invocation: 'Enchanting Pharaoh, thee I address with a heart teeming with gratitude for all the favours showered on thy ardent worshipper. Thy name, O mighty Pharaoh, is derived from the Hebrew, literally to _make bare_, and well thou knowest I delight to make bare, even to the last feather, the pigeon that flies to my midnight orgies.' The petition concludes with an entreaty that the Right Honourable Fraternity of Gamblers may be protected from the strictures of Lord Kenyon (who had commenced a crusade against fashionable gamblers, and had especially made attacks on those ladies of rank who encouraged tables in their houses), and their persons preserved from all the dire horrors of the stocks and pillory, with which this inflexible judge had threatened the incorrigible, if any person could be found to bring them within his jurisdiction.

_August 10, 1801._ _The Actress's Prayer._--'Hear me, Dramatic Sisters, gay Thalia and sublime Melpomene; be guardians to your supplicant and aid her in her profession.... I pray thee, should I ever reach the boards of a London theatre, may my terms be as enormous as my abilities are conspicuous, and finally my labours be crowned with the _coronet_ of honour, and that I may become a convert to domestic happiness.'

_August 10, 1801._ _The Jockey's Prayer_ is put up to Nimrod. The aspirations of the hero of the turf tend to a wife--'a pretty well-bred filly, one that would come easily to collar, prance to the Circus of Hymen, and run with her owner the generous race of mutual affection.'

_September 5, 1801._ _The Cook's Prayer._--The fat mistress of the spit has gone down on her knees before the roaring fire, beside which are the preparations for dinner. Her prayer is addressed to all the gods and goddesses whose celestial appetites are not too refined to relish the good things of this world. She beseeches their influence to continue her a twelvemonth longer in the service of Alderman Gobble, and then, with the little perquisites she has hashed together, she may be able to enter on a certain eating-house in Pye Corner, which she has longed for these three years. She concludes by entreating that the bosom of John the Coachman may be moved to become her partner in the concern.

_September 12, 1801._ _The Sailor's Prayer._--'O mighty Neptune! hear an honest British Tar; thou knowest I trouble not thy godship every day, and I therefore pray thee to grant my prayer, for I love not long palavering and that there, d'ye see ... Worthy Master Neptune! send us a good prize, I beseech thee, and be not sparing in brandy and tobacco. Give us also a few chests of the Don's dollars, for Mounseer hasn't got none--no more than there is in your three-pronged boat-hook.'

_September 20, 1801._ _The Publican's Prayer._--'Holy Silenus, father of all-inspiring Bacchus, continue, I beseech you, the custom of the original Golden Lion, and inspire me, its landlord, with becoming gratitude for all thy favours. Grant me success, I pray thee, with the rich widow of the adjoining street, whom thou knowest I adore; send that she may frequently look into the bar, till in time she becomes its fixed ornament. Grant but this addition to my stock in trade, and I have nothing to ask thee for but plenty of smuggled spirits and protection from the exciseman.'

_September 20, 1801._ _Poll of Portsmouth's Prayer_ is addressed to Thetis. The supplications of this damsel, who is gaily attired in bright colours, and ornamented with numerous coral necklaces, bracelets, watches, seals, lockets, and trinkets, gifts from tars at sea, are directed to prayers for the safe and speedy return of her numerous generous admirers, then on board their ships.

1801. _The Lottery Office Keeper's Prayer._--This invocation is offered by a prosperous-looking individual to Dame Fortune, whose portrait forms the signboard of his establishment, 'Peter Puff's Lucky Lottery Office.' He prays the blindfold goddess to grant insurance to his schemes, so that they may turn up prizes, and prevent his looking blank when bowing at the altar of his divinity. 'And lastly, I pray thee, with the indulgent aid of mighty superiferous Somnus, to cause all old women and children to dream incessantly on the advantages gained by venturing in the lottery; so shall the nocturnal visions of old chairs and tables be converted into lucky numbers, and thy humble petitioner benefited thereby.'

_March 18, 1801._ _The Union Head-dress._ Published by R. Ackermann, 101 Strand.--A pair of busts, the fancy portraits of two highly-caricatured individuals, whose faces wear a most dejected expression, from whose respective foreheads branch a pair of well-defined horns.--'This style of decoration represents "The Union Head-dress," successively worn by many respectable citizens since the days of Noah; for its simplicity and elegance it cannot be too much admired. Respectfully dedicated to the fashion-mongers of 1801.' The satire of this print, which appears somewhat coarse and uncalled-for, is levelled at the fashion, which raged contemporaneously with its publication, for embodying in the reigning mode any event which happened to be stirring, no matter its frivolity or gravity, as the case might be. The accomplishment of the union between England and Ireland was seized by the milliners and fashion-mongers as the excuse for a thousand extravagances in head-dresses, combining supposititious emblems of the twin kingdoms with allusions to their happy conjunction.

_April 2, 1801._ No. 1, _Taste_. Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann.

_April 2, 1801._ No. 2, _Fashion_. Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann.

_April 2, 1801._ No. 3, _Elegance_. Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann.

_April 2, 1801._ No. 4, _Fancy_. Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann.

_May 1, 1801._ _Boot-Polishing._ G. M. Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann.

_July 12, 1801._ _Light Summer Hat and Fashionable Walking-stick._ Published by R. Ackermann.

_July 20, 1801._ _The Toper's Mistake._ G. M. Woodward inv. Published by R. Ackermann.

1801. _Rag Fair._ Published by R. Ackermann.

_September, 1801._ _An Old Member on his way to the House of Commons._ T. Rowlandson del. Published by R. Ackermann.--The old Member and his dog are passing, on their way to the Houses of Parliament, through Lisle Street, evidently a spot of some temptation to the personage who forms the subject of the caricature, an eccentric celebrity, without doubt, at the time of the publication. The establishment of Mrs. Woods is evidently the rock a-head which threatens the venerable senator; Mrs. Woods, the lady abbess, is, with one of her decoying nymphs, standing at the door of her mansion; two more syrens are beckoning the passer-by from a window, and various houris appear above, all issuing their invitations to the M.P., an individual of consideration. The amorous character of the vicinity is indicated by the circumstances surrounding a coach, which is driving by. The coachman has a pretty girl on his box, and while he is publicly saluting her cheek, his fare, an officer, is kissing a fair companion in the vehicle, and two street Arabs, a boy and a girl, are stealing a ride on the back, and they too are indulging in a loving embrace, disregarding the insecurity of their situation.

1801. Four subjects on a sheet.--_Here's your potatoes, four full pounds for two pence!_ _Light, your Honour, Coach unhired._ _Buy my roses, dainty sweet briar!_ _Pray remember the blind._ Designed and executed by T. Rowlandson. Republished 1811.

_September 12, 1801._ _A Sailor Mistaken._ G. M. Woodward. Published by R. Ackermann.

_December 20, 1801._ _Gig-hauling, or Gentlemanly Amusement for the Nineteenth Century._ G. M. Woodward inv. Published by R. Ackermann.

1802.

_February 25, 1802._ _Friendly Accommodation._ Woodward inv., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann.

_March 1, 1802._ _The Monstrous Craws, or a New-Discovered Animal._ Published by R. Ackermann.

_May 1, 1802._ _A Man of Fashion's Journal._--Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. 'Queer dreams, owing to Sir Richard's claret, always drink too much of it--rose at one--dressed by half-past three--took an hour's ride--a good horse, my last purchase, remember to sell him again--nothing like variety--dined at six with Sir Richard--said several good things--forgot 'em all--in high spirits--quizzed a parson--drank three bottles and loung'd to the theatre--not quite clear about the play--comedy or tragedy--forget which--saw the last act--Kemble toll-loll--not quite certain whether it was Kemble or not--Mrs. Siddons monstrous fine--got into a hack--set down in St. James's Street--dipp'd a little with the boys at hazard--confounded bad luck--lost all my money.'

_May 1, 1802._ _A Woman of Fashion's Journal._--Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. 'Dreamt of the Captain--certainly a fine man--counted my card money--lost considerably--never play again with the Dowager--breakfasted at _two_ ... dined at seven at Lady Rackett's--the Captain there--more than usually agreeable--went to the Opera--the Captain in the party--house prodigiously crowded--my _ci-devant_ husband in the opposite box--rather _mal à propos_--but no matter--_telles choses sont_--looked into Lady Squander's _roût_--positively a mob--sat down to cards--in great luck--won a cool hundred of my Lord Lackwit, and fifty of the Baron--returned home at five in the morning--indulged in half-an-hour's reflection--resolved on reformation, and erased my name from the Pic-Nic Society.'

_May 20, 1802._ _The Sailor's Journal._--Two members of the fleet, in the famous days of prize-money, are seated at table with a punch-bowl between them. One of them is smoking old Virginia, while his friend is favouring him with certain extracts from his diary, of which the following must serve as a sample: 'Entered the port of London. Steered to Nan's lodgings and unshipped my cargo; Nan admired the shiners--so did the landlord--gave 'em a handful a-piece--emptied a bottle of the right sort with the landlord to the health of his honour Lord Nelson--All three set sail for the play--got a berth in a cabin on the larboard side--wanted to smoke a pipe, but the boatswain wouldn't let me--remember to rig out Nan like the fine folks in the cabins right a-head. Saw Tom Junk aloft in the corner of the upper deck--hailed him--the signal returned. Some of the land-lubbers in the cockpit began to laugh--tipped 'em a little foremast lingo till they sheered off--emptied the grog bottle--fell fast asleep--dreamt of the battle off Camperdown--my landlord told me the play was over--glad of it--crowded sail for a hackney coach--got on board--squally weather--rather inclined to be sea-sick--gave the pilot a two-pound note, and told him not to mind the change. In the morning looked over my rhino--a great deal of it, to be sure--but I hope, with the help of a few friends, to spend every shilling in a little time, to the honour and glory of old England.'

_May 28, 1802._ _Special Pleaders in the Court of Requests, a Litigation between Snip, a tailor, and Galen Glauber, a quack._ Published by T. Williamson, 20 Strand.--A justice, with his legal library at hand (_Game Laws_, _Penal Laws_, _Vagrant Act_, _Blackstone_, &c.) for ready reference, is sitting to investigate a delicate case. A working tailor, who is snapping his shears at his adversary, in the excitement of the cause, and dressed as he has left his shop-board, is the plaintiff; the defendant has brought a pair of nether garments into court as evidence; he is resolutely endeavouring to support his case, while the small clothes in question are held out at the end of his cane for the investigation of the obviously reluctant judge, who does not appear to relish the too familiar vicinity of such unusual testimony.

_June 15, 1802._ _A Parish Officer's Journal._ Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann.--'Rose early and reflected on the dignity of my office--put on my wig to create awe and reverence in my family. Betty, my wife's new maid, not sufficiently struck by my appearance--a great deal too free--remember to give her warning--dined with the gentlemen at the _Cat and Bagpipes_--returned home soon in order to prepare for the evening's entertainment--had half-an-hour's bickering with my wife to keep up my consequence--and set out to meet my parish friends at the _George_, where we made a most excellent supper, on the profits of a _child_, and adjusted several weighty parochial concerns while partaking of the good things the landlord prepared for us--which consisted of rumps of beef, legs of mutton, suet puddings, fat geese, onions, and other light delicate articles--spent the evening very convivially, and made up another party for the day ensuing.'

_June 10, 1802._ _How to Pluck a Goose._ Etched by T. Rowlandson. Published by T. Williamson, 20 Strand.

_June 25, 1802._ _La Fille mal gardé, or Jack in the Box._ Published by T. Williamson, 20 Strand.--An old miser, with a portentous bunch of keys, has, in imagination only, secured his treasure, and he is further prepared to insure the safety of a fair charge by the same precaution of locking her in a well-defended chamber; the windows are heavily cross-barred, a blunderbuss and a rattle hang ready to hand, as precautions against intruders; but no danger threatens from without, the risk is nearer within; the miser's strong box has evidently changed its contents, since the rising lid discloses a smart young officer, who only requires the door to be fastened before he appears on the scene. The intriguing damsel, with averted head and her finger on her lips, is inculcating caution to the impatient captive.

_July 1, 1802._ _Comfort in the Gout._ (See 1785.) Republished by S. W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly.

_July 1, 1802._ _A Lady in Limbo, or Jew Bail Rejected._ Published by S. W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly.--A 'fine lady,' presumably an _Anonyma_ of the period, finds herself in the fastness of a spunging house; she is made as welcome as circumstances will permit; a bottle of wine, the refreshment customary, is ordered, and the stern hearts of the sheriff's men are appealed to, while bail is sent for. It was a well-known practice at the beginning of the century, and earlier, to pay some obscure individual a trifling fee to become security on emergencies. Similar fictitious householders were always in attendance, and producible from the bar-rooms in the neighbourhood. In the present case a professional limb, of the Hebrew persuasion, is presented, decently made up for the occasion, to tender himself as bondsman for the lady's due appearance. It is evident, however, that a suspicious recognition is taking place; 'Harry Holdfast, Officer to the Four Counties,' or his deputy, does not, judging from his expression, seem to approve of the surety, and the Jew looks somewhat disconcerted under his inspection. The tears of the unfortunate captive, and the plausible reassurances--as to the respectability of the bail offered--of her chaperone, or duenna, are powerless to move the stoic breast of the experienced catchpole.

_July 1, 1802._ _Slyboots._ Published by S. W. Fores.--Slyboots and her cat are snuggled up by the fire, full of fun and friskiness; it is difficult to determine which looks the more mischievous of the pair. The exhortations of the preacher against the vanities of life, seem a trifle out of place here, or, at all events, his denunciations are not likely to produce any lasting impressions on such mercurial souls.

_July 1, 1802._ _Intrusion on Study, or the Painter Disturbed._ (See November 1785.) Republished by S. W. Fores.

_July 1, 1802._ _Jockeyship._ Published by S. W. Fores.

_July 1, 1802._ _A Snip in a Rage._ Published by Howitt, Panton Street, Haymarket.--An infuriated tailor has intruded his head and shoulders through the window of a frail fair's bedchamber, which he has reached by means of a ladder resting against the sill. The tailor, with his measure round his neck, is snipping his shears viciously above the head of a blushing maiden, who is covered with becoming confusion at her detection. The figure of a sturdy apprentice, seen disappearing in the rear, is sufficient to account for the _contre-temps_.

_July 18, 1802._ _The Corporal in Good Quarters._ Published by S. Howitt, Panton Street, Haymarket.--The marvellous influence of a red coat is the subject of the present sketch. Who can resist a dashing young soldier? The rustic beauty seems unequivocally smitten, and does not disguise the compromising fact that 'she dotes on the military.' The gallant son of Mars has been quartered on a prosperous farmer, who loves good cheer and brave company; the corporal is made welcome at bed and board, and the best in the house is prepared for his delectation. The venerable Hawbuck does not, however, seem pleased with the way his guest is carrying on with his buxom daughter, who is but too clearly smitten with the soldier's charming freedoms and his fine feathers; it is more than the parent bargained for, and even his dog is looking on with astonishment. But the scandalised parent and the young rustic lounging in the doorway, possibly an acknowledged sweetheart, are at a discount; their authority is likely to be set at defiance. As for the disconcerted swain whose dejected air and attitude express the profundity of his despair, he will probably do something desperate; in dudgeon at his blighted hopes he may very likely fall under the beguiling corporal's spell, offer himself as a recruit, be 'listed, and thenceforth forsake the plough-tail to follow the drum; a lasting text against one of the many evils consequent upon the maintenance of a standing army.

_August 30, 1802._ _A Musical Family._ Published by R. Ackermann.

_September 12, 1802._ _Sorrow's Dry, or a Cure for the Heart-ache._ Designed and published by Thomas Rowlandson. Republished 1811.

Were I not resolv'd against the yoke
Of hapless marriage, never to be curst
With second Love, so fatal was the first,
To this one error I might yield again.--DRYDEN.

'Deborah Crossstich departed this life September 5, 1802, aged 62.' The body of the departed wife is laid out in her coffin, propped on trestles; on the plate let into the lid is engraved the above affecting inscription.

The lamenting spouse is far gone in a mixed state of grief, intoxication, and maudlin affection; he is making laudable efforts to resign himself to his recent bereavement, and is endeavouring to allay his sorrow, between the combined consolations of drink and the tender solicitudes of a favourite maid, who is exerting herself to administer comfort to her afflicted master, with her arm round his neck. The personal belongings of the deceased--her watch, little articles of jewellery, and plate--have evidently been ransacked by this affectionate pair of unaffected and disinterested mourners. An open book displays this familiar quotation, bearing somewhat disrespectful application to the case of the departed:--

A smoky house and a scolding wife
Are the plagues of man's life.
Oh, what pleasure will abound
When my wife is laid in ground!

_November 20, 1802._ _Doctor Convex and Lady Concave._ Published by R. Ackermann.

1802. _Hunt the Slipper, Pic-Nic Revels._ Rowlandson del. and publisher.

Men are but children of a larger growth.--SHAKESPEARE.

The chairs have been cleared out of a large apartment, and a party of full-grown men and women, some of whom have long passed maturity, are seated on the floor for a game at 'high jinks.' Bowls of punch, bottles of wine, and abundant refreshments of a strong nature, are put on the ground behind, within easy reach of the revellers, who are in the full enjoyment of a boisterous game of 'hunt the slipper.' The party is made up of an abundance of pretty rosy damsels, blooming, blushing, and smiling, such as Rowlandson with his etching needle or his reed pen could produce at will, and in every degree of perfection; corpulent matrons, dowagers, and gothic old maids are likewise plentiful. There is a gentleman to every lady, and the whole scene is a very animated one; while the fun is apparently appreciated by the performers, who are entering into the spirit of the diversion. The rules of the Society are framed on the wall:--

Ici on boit, on danse, on rit!
Et quelquefois on joue aussi.

Two pictures, hung over the doors, are supposed to be indicative of the subject. _Vive la Bagatelle!_ a party in pursuit of a balloon; and _Sans Souci, sans six sous_, a bacchanalian revel.

1802. _Salt Water._ Published at 24 Lower Sackville Street.--A bathing scene.

_July 1, 1802._ _Who's Mistress now?_ Published by S. Howitt, Panton Street, Haymarket.--The scene is a kitchen; a servant is disporting herself before a large glass, in borrowed plumage, in the hat, feathers, and train of her mistress, and flourishing a fan; meanwhile a group of amused spectators are peeping in at the pantry door; while the cat, more practically inclined, has knocked over a dish, and is availing herself of the opportunity of making off with a fine fish prepared for dinner.

1802. _Compendious Treatise on Modern Education._ By J. B. Willyams, from Notes by the late Joel M'Cringer, D.D., 8 plates by T. Rowlandson, oblong 4to.

1802. _Bardic Museum of Primitive British Literature, and other admirable rarities._ Edward Jones, bard to the Prince of Wales. Coloured frontispiece by T. Rowlandson.

1803.

_February 1, 1803._ _Signiora Squallina._

_February 1, 1803._ _Sweet Lullaby._

_February 1, 1803._ _Queer Fish._

_February 1, 1803._ _Recruits._ (See 1811.)

_March 1, 1803._ _A Catamaran, or an Old Maid's Nursery._ Published by T. Rowlandson, 1 James Street.

_March 1, 1803._ _Richmond Hill_, after H. Bunbury. Published by R. Ackermann.

_March 1, 1803._ _Billiards_, after H. Bunbury. Published by R. Ackermann.

_April 1, 1803._ _The Road to Ruin._ Published by S. W. Fores.

_April 6, 1803._ _A Diver._ T. Rowlandson invt., 1803. Published by R. Ackermann, 101 Strand.--The figure introduced under this title is perhaps as droll as any which Rowlandson has drawn. The scene represents the interior of _a Bagnio_, '_Hot and Cold Baths_, _cupping_, _sweating_, &c., &c.' From the picture it would seem that the bath-attendants of the period, who administered the rough towellings and flesh brushings, which are indicated in the plate, were not of the sex one generally expects to find discharging these functions in our own day. In the case of _The Diver_ no very glaring impropriety is suggested--the individual in question is like a ball of flesh; the image, on an exaggerated scale, of the Chinese joss-figures, and literally perfectly spherical; his quaint image is reflected in the water as he plunges forward in a sort of cricket-ball bound; a print of Narcissus gazing on his form in the fountain, suspended on the wall, suggests a sufficiently striking contrast.

_April 12, 1803._ _Ducking a Scold._

_May 1, 1803._ _John Bull Listening to the Quarrels of State Affairs._ (Treaty of Amiens.) Published by R. Ackermann.--John Bull, with his hair standing on end, is listening, stooping, with his hands on his knees--'I declare my very wig stands on end with curiosity. What can they be quarrelling about? Oh that I could be let into the secret! If I ax our gentleman concerning it, 'tis ten to one if he tells me the right story. Buonaparte, with his cocked hat on, and his great sword by his side, is insisting on his arguments, 'And so--if you do so--I do so!' 'Jurisprudist,' a gentleman of the black robe (possibly meant for the Chancellor), appears very uncomfortable at the Corsican's decided attitude; he is crying in consternation, 'Oh!'

_June 21, 1803._ _A Snug Cabin, or Port Admiral._ (See June 21, 1808.)

_July 1, 1803._ _A Stage Coach._

_July 10, 1803._ _Flags of Truth and Lies._ Published by R. Ackermann.--John Bull, as an honest Jack Tar, is holding out the Union Jack, and pointing to his inscription in reply to the message of intimidation set forth on the tricolour, held out by a huge-booted, long-queued Frenchman, a composite being between a soldier and postilion:--'Citizen First Consul Buonaparte presents compliments and thanks to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Great Britain, who have honoured him with their visits at Paris, and intends himself the pleasure of returning it in person as soon as his arrangements for that purpose can be completed.' 'Mon grand Maître, bid a you read dat, Monsieur.' John Bull replies: 'Um, let your Grand Master read that, Mounseer':--'John Bull does not rightly understand the Chief Consul's lingo, but supposes he means something about invasion; therefore the said John Bull deems it necessary to observe that if his consular Highness dares attempt to invade any ladies or gentlemen on his coast, he'll be damned if he don't sink him!'

1804.

_January 1, 1804._ _Diana in the Straw, or a Treat for Quornites._ Published by S. W. Fores.

_January 2, 1804._ _A French Ordinary._ (Originally published in 1801.) S. W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly.--The attractions of a cheap French table d'hôte are ludicrously set forth; while the ravenous diners are represented making the best use of their opportunities within the _salle à manger_, the delicate character of the attendance and the culinary department are slyly hinted. We are admitted to the secrets of _la cuisine Française_, as they have seemingly been revealed to the caricaturist. The slovenly old cook is emptying the morsels left from the plates of the customers, into the capacious _pot-au-feu_, to reappear dished up for succeeding _convives_. A lean cat is seated in the frying pan, probably in course of fattening for the spit; as to the larder, the main provisions consist of dead cats and frogs; it was an accepted axiom that all the _Jean Crapauds_, as our Gallic neighbours were playfully christened by John Bull, lived more or less on frogs. Rowlandson, as we have shown, had French relatives, and had studied in Paris and spoke the language with fluency; while those travellers who were familiar with native habits, from travelling abroad, stoutly maintained that such were the staples of the national food, being convinced of the truth of the formula, as asserted by the waggish Peter Pindar--'I've liv'd among them and have eat their frogs!'

_June 8, 1804._ _Light Volunteers on a March._ Published by R. Ackermann.

_June 8, 1804._ _Light Infantry Volunteers on a March._ Published by Ackermann.

_July 31, 1804._ _The Imperial Coronation._ Published by R. Ackermann.--The platform which has been erected for this celebration is more suggestive of an execution than a coronation; a body of the old Guards, in their bear-skin caps, surround the raised space. The Pope is present in full canonicals, to perform the ceremony in person. A gallows has been considerately provided, in order to lower the imperial crown on to the brows of the future wearer more conveniently. On the gallows is painted, 'Patrick Death, Gibbet-maker to his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Gulls.' The Pope, who holds the string, which works over a pulley, and suspends the Crown, is crying somewhat irreverently: 'In a little while you shall see him, and in a little while you shall not see him.' The weight of the diadem is too much for the wearer and his new throne, the planks of the platform are broken through, and the future emperor is sinking beneath, while calling to his confederate Talleyrand, 'My dear Talleyrand, save me! my throne is giving way. I am afraid the foundation is rotten, and wants a cursed deal of mending!' His prime minister is much concerned, 'Ah, master, the crown is too heavy for you!'

Another pillar of the Church is pointing out that the Corsican has not acted with his usual cunning, 'You forgot your old Uncle, the new bishop--if you had made me Pope I should have let the crown down easier!' The ceremony is parodied in the background, monkeys taking the place of the actual performers, only in this case the imperial ape is seated in state, with sceptre and orb, in greater security.

1804. _Theatrical Leap-frog._ Published by Ackermann, Strand.--The young Roscius, as an infant prodigy, is flying over the back of Kemble, both the performers being dressed in the habit then customary for Hamlet--'Alas!' cries Kemble, 'is it come to this? Ah, woe is me! seeing what I have seen, seeing what I see! O Roscius!'

_December, 1804._ _Melpomene in the Dumps, or Child's Play defended by Theatrical Monarchs._ Published by Ackermann, Strand.--Mrs. Siddons in tragic swathings, one arm resting on a table, her other hand extended in an interlocutory attitude, while her foot is resting on a stool; on the table are books--_Salary Benefits_, _The Rights of Woman_, and _The Duty of Man_. On the wall is hung Bunbury's _Propagation of a Lie_. John Philip Kemble is resting his hand on her shoulder, and another gentleman, hat in hand, is pointing with his finger to a shorter figure, probably intended for the person of Colonel Topham, Editor of _The World_, '_More Soldier than Scholar!_'

THE DEBATE OR ARGUMENT.