Finishing Stroke._ Published by T. Tegg.--Mrs. Clarke has been making
pretty havoc among the branches of the service. She has drummed out
a number of officers to the tune of the 'Rogue's March;' discomfited
generals and prelates, who, since their intrigues are unmasked, are
doing their best to get out of range. As to the 'Darling Angel's'
redoubtable opponent, the Commander-in-Chief, he has laid down his
cocked-hat and sword, and, on his knees, is trying to mitigate the
excess of mischief which his discarded lady-love is in a position
to wreak; he is crying in despair: 'Alas, alas! for ever ruined and
undone; see, see, she has spiked my Great Gun!' Mrs. Clarke, who is
putting the finishing stroke to this destructive operation, is offering
a parting word of gratuitous advice to the now repentant Commander: 'A
wise general should make good his retreat.'
_March 15, 1809._ _The Champion of Oakhampton Attacking the Hydra of
Gloucester Place._ '_Bellua Multorum es Capitum._' Vide _Horace_. The
Champion is clad in a complete suit of mail, and he is valorously
rushing up to the mouth of the cavern, whence the Hydra is breaking
forth; it must be confessed that the Champion seems a little staggered
at the front displayed by the many-headed monster; the foremost and
most overgrown head is that of the Commander-in-Chief, begirt with the
_Collar of Corruption_. The other heads are described by their collars:
Dowler, Sandon, Dr. O'Meara, Dr. Donovan, Mrs. Clarke, and Master
Carter.
_March 17, 1809._ _The Parson and the Clarke._ Published by T.
Tegg.--Dr. O'Meara is favoured with a private interview, of a strictly
business-like character, by Mrs. Clarke. The ambitious divine is
throwing up his head in such raptures that he has jerked off his
learned wig: 'Oh how I should like to preach before Royalty!' The fair
dispenser of patronage, with a long roll of 'Army preferments' and a
shorter list of 'Church preferments' before her, is putting the case in
a matter-of-fact way: 'Only pay the Clarke's fees, and the business is
done.'
So great on the Church were O'Meara's designs
That he prov'd too ambitious a spark;
But where is the wonder, ye learned divines,
That the _parson_ should follow the _Clarke_?
_March 19, 1809._ _Samson Asleep on the Lap of Delilah._ Published
by T. Tegg.--The Duke of York is following the example of the famous
slayer of Philistines. He is sunk in slumber, with his head on the
lap of his treacherous Delilah; a pile of love-letters, addressed to
his 'dearest dear,' are sufficiently indicative of his infatuation.
Mrs. Clarke, who is represented in the print as a by no means
repulsive-looking temptress, has taken advantage of the hero's
unconsciousness to chop off his full pigtail, and she is holding up the
severed caudal appendage, as an encouragement to the enemies of the
helpless Commander-in-Chief to take advantage of their opportunity:
'Gentlemen, you may now take him with safety, his strength is gone; I
have cut off his regulation tail, and there is no danger!'
_March 24, 1809._ _The Resignation, or John Bull overwhelmed with
Grief._ Published by T. Tegg.--The departing Commander-in-Chief, in
his regimentals, as he is invariably represented, is trying to harrow
John Bull's sympathies before he deprives him of his valuable services:
'Good bye, Johnny; I am going to resign; but don't take it so much to
heart; perhaps I may very soon come back again!'[20]
The good-natured national prototype is keeping up a show of affliction
under the approaching bereavement; but, although he is concealing his
face with his handkerchief, a smile lurks round the corner of his
mouth as he sobs out somewhat equivocally in reply: 'O dunna, dunna go!
it will break my heart to part with you--you be such a desperate moral
character!'
_March 24, 1809._ _The Prodigal Son's Resignation._--The stout sinner
is humbling himself before the throne. A portion of the King's
figure is concealed; the Duke of York has laid his _Resignation_,
together with his coat, sword, and cocked-hat, at the paternal feet,
and, kneeling in his denuded state, he is quoting the words of the
parable of the Prodigal Son: 'Father, I have sinned before thee, and
I am no longer worthy to be called thy son.' The monarch, who seems
deeply affected by the spectacle of his favourite son's abasement,
is returning: 'Very naughty boy! very naughty boy indeed! However, I
forgive you; but don't do so any more.'
_March 29, 1809._ _Mrs. Clarke's Last Effort._ Published by T.
Tegg.--The delicate investigation being concluded, the fair mover,
Mrs. Clarke, was, as the satirists suggested, left without occupation;
and Rowlandson has accordingly represented that she might employ her
talents to advantage in opening an inn a little way out of town; she
is pictured as the landlady of _Clarke & Co's Original Tavern, from
the York Hotel, London_. Members of the Army, the Church, a Quaker,
and others are hurrying up to extend their patronage to the new
establishment. Mrs. Clarke, bent on hospitable intents, is encouraging
her old friends to return and rally round: 'Come forward, gentlemen;
you'll all be welcome. Every little helps':--
Your rhino rattle--come--
Men and cattle--come--
All to Mrs. Clarke O
Of trouble and monies
I'll ease you, my Honies,
And leave you in the dark O.
_March 30, 1809._ _The York Dilly, or the Triumph of Innocence._
Published by T. Tegg.--A coach full of learned gentlemen, driven by a
Counsel in his robes, is passing through an enthusiastic crowd; the
charioteer is declaring: 'I thought we should bring him through.' The
Duke of York is in the boot, apparently, 'blowing his own trumpet;'
a placard, wreathed in laurel, is on the roof of the carriage,
announcing, _Acquitted_. _Glorious majority of 82._
The people are uproariously demonstrative; they are shouting: 'Huzza!
glorious news for Old England!' females are encouraging their husbands
to cheer; the figure of Mrs. Clarke is represented bursting through the
multitude and shaking her fists at her late 'protector,' while a stout
Churchman by her side is loyally protesting, 'I always said he was
innocent!'
_April 1, 1809._ _Doctor O'Meara's Return to his Family, after
Preaching before Royalty_. Published by T. Tegg.--The reverend divine
has returned home to his comely spouse and family in such an elated
frame of mind--skipping about, to the derangement of his ecclesiastic
dignity, and losing his wig and hat--that his wife is enquiring:
'Why, my dear, you are quite frantic; what is the matter with you?'
The Doctor is replying, in ecstasy, jumping higher than ever:
'Frantic?--I believe I am--I have been preaching before Royalty--our
fortunes are made--such a sermon--neat text--quarter of an hour's
discourse--appropriate prayer at the conclusion--Oh! to see them cry it
would have melted a heart of stone--Oh bless that Mrs. Clarke; I shall
never forget her!'
_April 1, 1809._ _Mrs. Clarke's Farewell to her Audience. Tailpiece._
Published by T. Tegg.--All the principal performers--generals,
colonels, captains, reverend doctors, Master Carter, &c.--who have
figured in the 'Clarke Scandal,' and throughout the series of satirical
prints which Rowlandson designed on the _Delicate Enquiry_, are drawn
up on the stage, in proper theatrical fashion, to acknowledge the
gratifying reception accorded their exertions at the hands of an
appreciative public. The national prototype, as the paying patron
of the performance, is in the stage box, clapping his hands with
enthusiasm, and shouting, 'Bravo, bravo!' Mrs. Clarke, as the leading
actress, is standing in front of the line of players, dressed in
semi-martial fashion, with a military hat on her head, epaulettes, a
gorget, a laced coat, and a crimson sash. She is speaking the farewell
address, which is as follows:--'Ladies and Gentlemen,--Having done our
duty as far as we were called upon, we most humbly take our leave of a
generous audience; not, like the generality of actors, wishing for a
repetition of the performance, but, on the contrary, that it may never
again be repeated. As to our friend Mr. Tegg, we hope that the graphic
illustrations of this drama, which he and his performers have brought
forward, may meet with that encouragement which is never denied to the
effusions of whim and humour by a loyal and liberal British public; but
I particularly request that, while you acquit the Bishop, you will be
merciful to his Clarke.'
_April 4, 1809._ _Original Plan for a Popular Monument, to be erected
in Gloucester Place._ Published by T. Tegg.--The contributaries to this
monument of turpitude are grouped together to form a memorial suited
to the occasion. The foundation-stone is a huge block, labelled 'York
Folly,' supported on one side by the Episcopal mitre and crozier of the
Right Rev. Bishop of Osnabrück, with a scroll of 'The New Morality.'
The accessories on the other side are the cocked-hat, sword, and tender
love-letters of the ex-Commander-in-Chief. A block of 'Cracked Portland
Stone,' and a third slab of 'Folkestone of the first quality,' refer
to the agitations raised by the Duke of Portland and Lord Folkestone;
the more spirited elements are ranged above this foundation, in the
form of a barrel of 'Whitbread's Entire,' 'Burdett's Stingo,' and
'Wardle's British Spirit,' these gentlemen having been the most active
in enforcing the Duke's resignation. 'Romilly Freestone' supports a
pair of medallions representing the two officers consigned to Newgate
for prevarication--'Sandon' and 'Clavering's Dumps.' _Mrs. Clarke's
Pyramid_, a golden cone, caps the edifice reared on corruption.
_April 5, 1809._ _A York Address to the Whale Caught lately off
Gravesend._ Published by T. Tegg.--The Duke of York, in his
regimentals, has gone down on his knees to the latest wonder of the
hour, and is beseeching the popular arrival to divert the minds of
an excitement-loving public from his own particular case: 'O mighty
monster of the deep, continue to attract the attention of John Bull,
bend his mind solely towards thee, for in that is my only hope;
fascinated by thy powerful attractions, he may perhaps forget the
honour of a Prince.'
_April 10, 1809._ _The Flower of the City._--The figure of Alderman
Flower is represented in the centre of a huge sunflower blowing on a
stem, 'Weak Stock,' planted in a pot of 'Rank Butter,' and elevated
on two cheeses, marked 'Mouldy and Rotten.' A sinister blast from a
diabolical agent is withering the plant, and the leaves are falling;
they are labelled with various uncomplimentary sentences, suggesting
all kinds of vices, belonging to the parent shoot. Below this
unflattering tribute to the Alderman is inscribed the following parody
of verses:--
The Flow'r of the City, so gaudy and fine,
'Midst proud ones the proudest, was erst known to shine.
It spread its gay leaves and it show'd its rich clothes,
And to all (less in consequence) turn'd up its nose!
Till a blight, a sad blight, from a Democrat wind
Struck the sensitive plant, both before and behind.
It felt the keen blast! All its arrogance fled,
And the Flow'r of the City hung, hung down its head.
The Flow'r of the City, thus doom'd to despair,
Droops, pines, and with wailing impregnates the air!
Tells its pride and its folly (the cause of its grief),
While the tears of repentance encumber each leaf!
But vain are its tears, or the fate it bemoans,
The world, the base world, gives but hisses and groans!
For ever! for ever! its proud hopes are fled,
And the Flow'r of the City hangs, hangs down its head.
_April 10, 1809._ _The Modern Babel, or Giants Crushed by a Weight
of Evidence._ Published by T. Tegg.--The unfortunate Duke of York,
with his Counsel and learned supporters, are crushed down under the
weight of a compound structure which has been imposed upon their heads
and shoulders. The bulkiest mass is the _Evidence of Mrs. Clarke_;
_Miss Taylor's Evidence_ is next in consequence, and the pyramidal
slabs decrease upwards: _Sly hits from Sandon and Clavering_; _Home
Strokes from Dowling_; _Mrs. Hovendon's Evidence_; _Mrs. Tavery, Doctor
O'Meara, Master Carter_, &c. The person of Mrs. Clarke, posed in a
triumphant attitude, is the figure which completes this superstructure
of folly.
_April 18, 1809._ _The Sick Lion and the Asses._ Published by T.
Tegg.--The Duke of York's head is placed on the shoulders of the
disabled forest king, a pair of asses are showing their heels to the
royal beast. 'What a _Cur it is_!' and 'Every man has his _Price_,'
written on their collars, proclaim the identity of these animals.
Another ass, of deeper cunning, forbears to take advantage of the
prostrate lion, from far-seeing motives: 'Pshaw, pshaw! don't be
afraid, I shall not kick, you may depend upon me--you may be of service
to me hereafter!'
The apologue is said to be 'taken from Mr. Waithman's speech at the
Common Hall:' 'When the royal beast was sick to death, and unable to
defend himself, the minor beasts he had injured came to revile him with
their wrongs; but when the dull asses came to fling their heels at
him the royal animal exclaimed: "Injuries from others I can bear with
resignation, but to bear insult from such vile animals as asses is to
die a hundred deaths!"'
_April 21, 1809._ _Burning the Books._ Published by T. Tegg.--As we
have traced in the summary of the diversified proceedings in the Clarke
Scandal, the friends of the Duke of York were glad, as a last resource,
to make terms with the enemy; and the conditions under which Mrs.
Clarke's silence was purchased being published abroad (considering the
publicity of the circumstances attending the _Investigation_, the terms
of surrender could not be disguised), the satirists made merry over
this fresh instance of tergiversation.
The edition of Mrs. Clarke's memoirs, the bombshell which threatened
the aristocratic peace of mind, was purchased for a certain sum. In
the print of 'Burning the Books' the heroine of the scandal is holding
up the terms of surrender: '10,000_l._, debts paid, 600_l._ per annum,
&c. &c.' The heroine of the memoirs is directing the destruction of
her eagerly-expected volumes, containing hundreds of letters from
persons of quality, including the correspondence (supposed to have
been destroyed) of the Duke of York. The lady is zealous enough in the
interests of her profitable clients: 'Burn away! I would burn half
the universe for the money. You may preserve a copy or two for Doctor
O'Meara and a few private friends. Now for my Brimstone carriage!' The
printer's men are carrying piles of the offending work, and committing
the edition to the flames. An acknowledgment from the publisher is
on the writing-table: 'Received for paper and printing, and also for
destroying this,' &c. The figure of the Duke of York is shown, slily
peeping from behind a curtain; the Commander, lately resigned, is
evidently delighted at the course things are taking, and is crying,
'This will do!' Many of the letters, as Mrs. Clarke declared,
reflected in disrespectful terms on the heir to the throne and others
of his royal brothers.
_April 22, 1809._ _A Piece-Offering._ Published by T. Tegg.--Mrs.
Clarke, in all her extensive finery, is sacrificing her memoirs,
_Life of Mrs. Clarke_, the Duke's ardent love-letters, and all the
disagreeable evidences supposed to have remained in her possession, at
the _Altar of Repentance_. The figure of the Commander is rising in
effigy above the flames, in the centre of a brilliant sun; his face
is turned to the authoress of the pyre with a satisfied smile. The
high-priestess of the sacrifice is gratefully addressing the mollified
divinity: 'Thus perish all that gives my darling pain!'
_May 24, 1809._ _The Quaker and the Clarke._ Published by T. Tegg.--A
sedate Quaker, in a suit of modest brown, has turned his back on
the beguiling enchantress, fair authoress of so much mischief, and
is hurrying away from her entreaties 'to tarry a while,' declaring:
'Woman, avaunt! I am not to be tempted; and be it known also I am a
married man,' &c.
_May 28, 1809._ _John Bull and the Genius of Corruption._ Published
by T. Tegg (94).--The national prototype has been haranguing on the
extinction of abuses with a compound symbolical monster, who is
standing in the way of progress and healthy legislation. Mr. Bull's
corrupt opponent is making the Jesuitical concession: 'What you say
about Reform, Johnny, is very true, but this is not the time for it!'
John Bull, who has no opinion of the obstructive party, is retorting,
'No, nor it never will be while such a monster as you remains in
existence!'
The monster, who is evidently a difficult customer to deal with, wears
a defensive cap of _Professions and Promises_; he has 'an eye to
_Interest_,' a _Mouth of Guile_, and a nose to _Scent for Interest_; he
wears the _Collar of Corruption_, has _Wings of Speculation_, _Arms of
Power_, and _Hands of Extortion_, and is further provided with bags of
gold for the purpose of bribery, _Deep Pockets of Perquisites_, _Legs
of Luxury_, and he is propped on _Feet of Connivance_.
_June 12, 1809._ _Boney's Broken Bridge._--The Austrian army is drawn
up in security on one side of the river Danube; Buonaparte, in a fine
rage with his discomfited generals, and his disappointed legions,
are arrayed on the other bank, powerless to disturb their exulting
adversaries. The Emperor is pointing to the remains of his famous
bridge, and furiously demanding, in reply to the Austrian taunts: 'Ah,
who is it that dares contradict me? I say it was some floating timber
and the high swell of the river that caused the shocking accident!' An
impolitic old general, bowing low, and in consternation at the news
he is obliged to impart, is replying: 'With all due deference to your
little Majesty, it was the Austrian fire-boats that destroyed the
bridge.' The Archduke's troops are chanting a new edition of an old
nursery rhyme:--
Boney's bridge is broken down,
Dance over the Lady Lee;
Boney's bridge is broken down
By an Archduke--ee.
_July 9, 1809._ _Hell Broke Loose, or the Devil to Pay among the
'Darling Angels.'_ Published by T. Tegg.--The dark fiend is standing at
the gates of the infernal regions, scourge in hand; he is dressed in
the wig and robes of a judge, and poised on a slab, setting forth the
well-recognised axiom: _Two of a trade can never agree_. The diabolical
personage is holding the balance between the two principal actors in
the late proceedings. It will be remembered that a misunderstanding
occurred between the chief conspirators. Soon after the conclusion of
the investigation in the House of Commons, Colonel Wardle and Mrs.
Clarke began to exchange mutual recriminations, and the public were
gratified with fresh scandalous revelations; the champion of impartial
justice began to lose his strangely-earned popularity. Colonel
Wardle is plunged into the scale of _Patriotism_, with an infernal
imp to weigh him down; the gold box, in which the freedoms of more
than one town were offered to the enemy of corruption, and the York
_impeachment papers_ are thrown into the scale to make weight. Mrs.
Clarke is balanced against her late coadjutor in the scale of _Virtue_.
'Love-letters, Mr. Wright's bill, Doctor Donovan's bill,' &c., are
added to weigh against the Colonel's testimonials.
_July, 1809._ _The Tables are Turned. How are the Mighty Fallen!_--The
public were treated with the spectacle of the patriotic champion sued
in a law court for the furniture of Mrs. Clarke's house at Westbourne
Place, which had been taken on his guarantee and recommendation. The
Court gave judgment against the crestfallen Colonel, who had denied
his liability, and he was adjudged to pay the heavy expenses incurred
in the new establishment and the incidental costs of the process. In
Rowlandson's view of the situation Mrs. Clarke is seen mounted on her
asinine ex-supporter; the head of the steed bears a face suggestively
resembling the countenance of the patriot; a 'Turkey carpet' furnishes
a saddle; the motto _England expects every man to do his duty_ is
written on the bridle; 'Wright, the upholsterer's bill' is tied to
the animal's tail; the lady is whipping up her reluctant supporter
with a birch labelled 'Private promises.' The ass is scattering the
chairs, tables, mirrors, fenders, and other objects particularised on
'the bill' which gave the Colonel so much irritation; the flattering
presentations, addresses, gold boxes, 'Thanks to my ass,' 'Lies against
the Duke of York,' 'Thanks to a Welch Billy Goat,' 'From the City of
London,' 'Thanks and freedom in a gold box,' and other complimentary
testimonials, are scattered on the ground. The dashing rider is making
an exhibition of her skilful management of the donkey tribe:--
I've a fine stud of Asses as ever was seen;
This is one of the number from Westbourne Green.
Gee up, Neddy, come up, Neddy, &c.,
What do you think of my Neddy and me?
_July 14, 1809._ _More of the Clarke, or Fresh Accusations._ Published
by T. Tegg.--Colonel Wardle is exposed to the public in a humiliating
position; his former mob-popularity is reversed, and their admiration
is changed to ridicule. The scene is supposed to take place in front
of the mansion in Westbourne Place, before which is assembled a crowd
of jeering spectators. Mrs. Clarke, unabashed, as in the previous
disclosures, is frankly denouncing her ex-colleague, and pointing to
the luxurious fittings of her bedroom. She is unmasking the scandalised
champion to his late friends the mob: 'And Clarke said unto Felix, Thou
art the man;--behold the furniture! and Felix trembled.' The Colonel,
whose reputation did not improve as the innuendoes of his new opponents
became more daring, with clasped hands and his knees knocking together,
is servilely trying to reinstate his lost reputation: 'Good people of
the United Kingdom, suspend your judgment for the present, till I get
this woman placed in the pillory. I never did anything naughty no more
than the child unborn. It was all for the good of my country, I assure
you. I am as firm a patriot as ever purchased a convex mirror or a red
Turkey carpet.'
_July 16, 1809._ _The Plot Thickens, or Diamond Cut Diamond._ Published
by T. Tegg.--Mrs. Clarke is still in the thick of her complications.
She is standing, unmoved, in the centre of the picture. Colonel Wardle,
who soon fell out with his ally when pushed to fulfil her conditions,
is declaring for vengeance: 'I intend to commence an action against
her for obtaining money under false pretences in the case of French's
levy. I'll teach her to send gentlemen to Newgate.' Another individual,
dressed as a civilian, recommends: 'Leave her to me; I'll touch her
up in the furniture business!' Mrs. Clarke, with her hands on her
lips, is replying: 'I don't care a fig for any of you; and as to you,
Mr. Furnituremonger, I'll be beforehand with you.' A stout gentleman
behind the fair _intriguante_ cries, 'That's a good girl, follow him
up; I'll back you; I'll let him know whose _Wright_ and whose _Wrong_.
If I don't enter an action against him I'm no upholsterer.' A young
barrister, holding a voluminous brief, is smiling with satisfaction at
the prospect of litigation, and encouraging both sides: 'That's right,
my good friends; it's all for the _Best_!'