the Furniture._ Published by T. Tegg.--Colonel Wardle is represented,
in an infuriated state, wreaking vengeance on the offensive furniture,
which had caused the destruction of his popularity and his reputation;
the lately immaculate champion is armed with a bludgeon; he is
trampling under foot 'An Essay on Keeping Bad Company,' and breaking
up the elegant belongings of the establishment, for the privilege of
supplying which he had been compelled to pay a sufficiently heavy
penalty; he is made to exclaim: 'D---- the furniture, d---- the convex
mirrors and red Turkey carpets; d---- Westbourne Place and everything
that belongs to it.' Mrs. Clarke is rather entertained than dismayed
at this spirit of wanton destructiveness: 'Deary, those little gusts
of Welsh passion become you extremely; the exercise will do you good;
besides, it will increase your popularity!'
_July 30, 1809._ _The Bill of Wright's, or the Patriot Alarmed._
Published by T. Tegg.--The upholsterer has waited on Colonel Wardle
and unrolled his long bill: 'Gullem Waddle, Esq., to Wright. Red
Turkey carpet, convex mirror, chandeliers, sideboards, bed furniture,
chairs and tables, vases and cellarets, Egyptian furniture, _sofa à la
Clarke_,' and other weighty items. 'Mr. Gullem Waddle, I have brought
you in a small bill for goods delivered for the Cleopatra of Westbourne
Place; and, as you are a true patriot, you can have no possible
objection to the Bill of Wright's.' The dismayed Colonel, keeping his
hands in his pockets, is making a counter-proposal: 'What do you talk
about patriotism? I tell you I have left off practice. D---- the Bill
of Wright's! It is all a mistake about Westbourne Place; you should
have taken it to Gloucester Place--there you would be sure to have had
your money!'
_August 1, 1809._ _The Mistake._ Published by T. Tegg.
_August 1, 1809._ _Wonders, Wonders, Wonders._ Published by T. Tegg.
(101).--Ten figures of 'Natural Curiosities,' designed and etched by
Rowlandson. A certain amount of care is bestowed on the execution
of this plate. The marvels of the age in which the caricature was
published have not, in most cases, become monotonously plentiful in
our own day. As set down by the satirist the ten wonders were the
discoveries of 'A modest woman of quality; a primitive Bishop; a real
maid of five-and-thirty; an exciseman with a conscience; an author with
a second suit of clothes (this fictitious person has been represented
in a most jubilant fashion); a great man of common sense; a woman who
has continued three months a widow; a theatrical hero of modesty and
economy; a complete honest attorney;' and, lastly, 'a man of talents,
wit, and learning possessed of a thousand a year.'
On the close of the Clarke Scandal, which had fitly served the purpose
of the satirist, our caricaturist resumed his series of attacks upon
the more memorable 'disturber of the peace of Europe.'
_August 28, 1809._ _The Rising Sun, or a View of the Continent._
Published by R. Ackermann.--Buonaparte is surrounded by the Continental
Powers; his present occupation is to lull and rock to slumber, in a
cradle, the Russian Bear, muzzled with French promises, and tempted
with 'Turkey wheat.' The Corsican is figuratively and literally sitting
on thorns; the sun of Spain and Portugal is arising on the meridian
with threatening import. Sweden has taken the part of watchguard of
Freedom, and is raising the cap of liberty; a Swedish huzzar is making
a desperate sabre-cut at the too successful general, and sounding a
warning note to the betrayed Muscovite: 'Awake, thou sluggard, ere the
fatal blow is struck, and thou and thine execrable ally sunk to eternal
oblivion.' The Emperor is disturbed by the new light: 'This rising sun
has set me upon thorns.' The Dutchman, with a broken sceptre, is sunk
in a besotted sleep on a cask of 'genuine hollands,' and leaning the
weight of his fat person on his ally, who finds the weight a trifle
crushing. Poland is represented as a shadow; the Prussian eagle is
trussed; and the King, with straw in his hair, and confined in a
strait-waistcoat, is singing mad ditties. Denmark is snuffed out under
an extinguisher; but the Austrian Emperor is once more taking heart
and advancing to the attack, sabre in hand, with dangerous intentions:
'Tyrant, I defy thee and thy cursed crew!'
_September 3, 1809._ _The Pope's Excommunication of Buonaparte, or
Napoleon brought to his last stool._ Published by T. Tegg.--The Pope
and his legates have called on the Emperor, with candle and bell, to
produce an effect. The head of the Church is propped up on 'French
crutches,' and his triple crown is split asunder; he is declaring: 'He
has cracked my crown, overturned my temporal dignities; but I am so
trammelled in these crutches that I cannot follow him as I would wish;
however, my good Lord Cardinals, read him the excommunication--it will
make him tremble on his throne.' The Cardinals proceed to rehearse
the contents of the comminatory scroll; the Emperor, who is holding
an 'Essay on the Church of Rome,' amongst other waste papers, is
returning, unmoved: 'Mercy on me! I never heard anything half so
dreadful. When you have done with that paper, gentlemen, I will thank
you for it!'
_September 4, 1809._ _Song by Commodore Curtis._ _Tune, 'Cease, rude
Boreas.'_ Published by T. Tegg.--The artist has furnished the heading
for a parody setting forth the adventures of the gallant Curtis,
Alderman and Commodore, with the expedition which was sent to assist
our allies the Dutch against the French. Curtis is seated in his
armchair in the cabin of his yacht, a great gold challenge cup, _Speedy
and Soon_, in his grasp, with a turtle laid on its back by his side.
A party of English officers belonging to the expedition have come
on board, and they are making free with his good things; wine and
punch are flowing lavishly. According to the song-writer's version
these gallant warriors, having boarded the Commodore's yacht and made
sad havoc with all his provisions, succeeded, after a three days'
devastation, in eating and drinking all the plentiful supplies laid in
by poor Curtis, until at last he began to dread that they might take
it into their heads to eat him too. Although the worthy cit set out
enthusiastically and filled with valour, his return was somewhat less
heroic:--
From Ramsgate we set sail for Flushing,
To aid our friends the Mynheers;
And for the Scheld our fleet was pushing,
Resolved to trounce the d----d Monsieurs!
Slightly discomfited, the Commodore sounds a retreat:--
Now farewell all my hopes of glory,
Scheld's muddy flood and isles adieu;
I'll lead the van with the first story,
And tell the Cockneys something new.
I'll talk of batteries, bloody sieges,
Of fizzing bombshells, towns on fire,
Till my tale the whole town obliges
My deeds and courage to admire.
_September 14, 1809._ _A Design for a Monument to be erected in
commemoration of the glorious and never-to-be-forgotten Grand
Expedition, so ably planned and executed in the year 1809._ Published
by T. Tegg (107).--The bust of General Chatham, crowned with bulrushes,
is at the head of this satirical memorial; monkeys and frogs are
grouped on either side, 'French monkeys in attitudes of derision,' and
'Dutch frogs smoking their pipes in safety.' The shield represents 'the
immortal William Pitt, Earl of Chatham,' obscured in the clouds. The
supporters of the escutcheon are a 'British seaman in the dumps,' and
'John Bull, somewhat gloomy--but for what it is difficult to guess,
after so glorious an achievement.'
_The Motto._
Great Chatham, with one hundred thousand men,
To Flushing sailed, and then sailed back again.
The fleet is represented sailing homeward under the 'Sun of Glory.' 'A
flying view of the return of the expedition. _O tempora! O mores!_'
_September 24, 1809._ _General Cheathem's marvellous Return from his
Exhibition of Fireworks._ Published by T. Tegg (108).--The General
is returning from the abortive Walcheren Expedition, mounted on a
flying wooden horse, which, like Don Quixote's and other enchanted
steeds, is performing wonders in the way of discharging rockets; on one
side of the General swings a fleet of ships, 'Wooden castles in the
air,' balanced by such empty bladders as the 'Walcheren Expedition,'
'Bereland, plan and fortifications of Flushing,' &c. The glorious
General has taken a pair of Dutch dolls captive, and these are the
chief trophies of his adventure. 'Here I am, my dear Johnny, escaped
from fire, water, plague, pestilence, and famine; my fireworks have
given general satisfaction abroad. I must now couch on a "bed of
roses," and hope when I awake to be rewarded with a pension and dukedom
for brilliant services.' Mr. Bull and his lady are standing on their
own shores, deeply impressed with the General's manoeuvres. Cries
Mrs. Bull, 'Lord, what a man of mettle he is!' John Bull is grasping
his thick stick in a way that looks menacing: 'General Cheathem flying
back, as I foretold, garnished out with drops and Dutch metal. Where
is the ten million of British bullion, you scarecrow? The Sinking Fund
suits your talents better than sinking of ships.' Commodore Curtis,
in his yacht, is sailing away from the 'mortality at Flushing,'
and shouting in great glee: 'A new contract for mouldy biscuits.
Expeditions for ever. Huzza!'
1809. _A Plan for a General Reform._ Published by T. Tegg.
_September 27, 1809._ _This is the House that Jack Built._ (_Old
Price Row at Drury Lane._) Published by T. Tegg.--This cartoon, in
six compartments, is aimed at Kemble's new house, which, from certain
arrangements of the boxes, and other innovations, became the cause of
considerable turbulence--
These are the Boxes let to the great
That visit the House that Jack built.
The curtain of the theatre bears the advertisement: 'Grand theatrical
Bagnio, fitted up in the Italian style;' 'Lodgings to let for
the season, or a single night;' 'Roomy pit for parsons, poets,
Presbyterians, Quakers, grumblers,' &c.; 'Boxes for the Cyprian corps,
with snug lobby to ditto;' 'Private accommodations for the Members of
both Houses of Parliament;' '_Boudoirs pour la Noblesse_;' 'Rabbit
hutches, seven shillings each;' 'Humbug gallery, _two shillings_;'
and, chief cause of dissatisfaction, 'Pigeon-holes for the swinish
multitude':--
These are the pigeon-holes over the Boxes,
Let to the great that visit the House that Jack built.
This is the Cat engaged to squall to the poor in the
pidgeon-holes over the Boxes, let to the great
that visit the House that Jack built.
Madame Catalini is endeavouring to sing; but the audience, armed with
rattles, post-horns, and other noisy instruments, are raising a regular
uproar:--
This is John Bull with a bugle-horn,
That hissed the Cat engaged to squall to the poor, &c.
This is the Thief-taker,[21] shaven and shorn,
That took up John Bull, with his bugle-horn, &c.--
The rioters are having a regular stand-up fight outside the theatre, as
well as within. The last verse--
This is the Manager, full of scorn,
Who rais'd the price to the people forlorn, &c.,
And directed the Thief-taker, shaven and shorn, &c.--
introduces the great John Kemble at the foot-lights, haranguing
his unruly audience; the house is represented much as it actually
appeared; the rioters, provided with squirts, bellows, marrow-bones,
cleavers, rattles, cow-horns, and all sorts of rough music, in
short, every instrument of noise that ingenuity could suggest, with
huge streamers, banners, and placards, held out on long poles, &c.,
containing such announcements as 'No theatrical taxation,' 'No
intriguing shop,' 'No annual boxes,' 'No Italian singers,' 'None of
your Jesuitical tricks, you black monk,' 'Be silent, Mr. Kemble's head
_aitches_,' 'Kemble, remember the Dublin tin-man,' 'Dickons for ever,
no Catalini.'
_September 30, 1809._ _A Lump of Impertinence._ Woodward del.,
Rowlandson sc. Published by T. Tegg.--'Who the devil do you stare at?
Get along about your business.'
1809(?). _A Lump of Innocence._ Woodward del., Rowlandson sc.--A florid
beauty, of the fat, fair, forty, and full-blown type, is 'affecting a
modesty, though she has it not;' her eyes are downcast, and a blush
suffuses all over, her cheeks being about the colour of a bumper of
rubicund cognac brandy which she is imbibing, probably with a view to
hide her sensibility: 'Really, gentlemen, if you gaze at me in this
manner you will put me quite to the blush!'
_October 9, 1809._ _Miseries of Human Life._ Published by T. Tegg (257).
1809. _Business and Pleasure._ Published by T. Tegg (292).
_October 24, 1809._ _Preparations for the Jubilee, or Theatricals
Extraordinary._ Published by T. Tegg.--A range of booths occupies the
background of the view; a pole is erected before each of the tents,
displaying a flag and an advertising poster, indicating the nature
of the show provided within. The preparations are being completed,
the workmen are putting the finishing strokes in readiness for
opening. Under the union-jack is _Perceval, Eldon & Co.'s Pic Nic
Entertainments; any port in a storm_. Under 'false colours' is Don
John's booth, announcing, _Set a beggar on horseback, he'll ride to the
devil_, with the _Row, or a fig for John Bull_. Mr. Canning's Booth
advertises _The Double Dealer_, with _The Duellist_. Lord Mulgrave
offers _A Chapter of Accidents_, with _'Tis well 'tis no Worse_. Lord
Castlereagh promises _The Revenge_, with _Who would have thought
it?_ Lord Wellington's booth has _The Wild Goose Chase_, with _The
Wanderer_. Under a huge cocked-hat, as a sign, is General Chatham's
booth, 'Just arrived from Flushing.' A comedy called _Delays and
Blunders_, to which will be added _He will be a Soldier_, is the bill
offered from Holland. Mrs. Clarke's booth presents _A new melodrama_,
called _More Secrets than One_, with _Various Deceptions_; and her
neighbour, Colonel Wardle, promises _Plot and Counter Plot_, with the
farce of the _Upholsterer_.
_October 25, 1809._ _A Bill of Fare for Bond Street Epicures._ Woodward
del., Rowlandson sc. Published by T. Tegg (188).--Six subjects,
representing fair and fashionably-dressed female loungers of the
period, parodied under the several descriptions of _À la Mode Beef_,
_Rump of Beef_, _Breast of Veal_, _Veal Cutlets_, _Baron of Beef_, and
_Pork Sausage_. The figures of these various personages are marked
with spirit, and the respective attributes are conveyed with a certain
humorous appropriateness.
1809. _A Bill of Fare for Bond Street Epicures._ Published by T.
Tegg.--A variation of the subjects published under a similar title, in
which the charms of numerous females are set forth under figurative
titles; the persons of six ladies are displayed in this print, their
personal attractions being grotesquely set off as _Pigs Pettitoes_,
_Scrag of Mutton_, _Leg of Lamb_, _Polony_, _Cod's Head and Shoulders_,
and _Lamb Chop, with Mint Sauce_. (Republished from 1808. Companion to
No. 188. Published October 25, 1809.)
_December 1, 1809._ _Cattle not Insurable._
_Hopes of the Family, or Miss Marrowfat Home for the Holidays._
Published by T. Tegg (No. 293).
_December 12, 1809._ _The Boxes._ Published by T. Rowlandson, 1 James
Street, Adelphi:--
O woe is me, 't have seen what I have seen;
Seeing what I see!--SHAKESPEARE.
The artist has given a view of the 'pigeon-holes' at Drury Lane, as the
new gallery in 'the house that Jack built' was derisively christened;
the present plate offers a burlesque representation of the refined
parts of the house, taken possession of by a company more miscellaneous
than select. The 'rabbit-hutches,' at seven shillings, are given up
to owls and deaf people; a narrow row below, in which the space is so
confined that it is impossible for the spectators to stand upright, is
held by Irish cabmen, roughs smoking long clay pipes, &c.; below these,
in the _boudoirs pour la noblesse_, we find the servants of the great,
dramdrinking, hobanobbing, and flirting. The occupants of the rest of
the private boxes are of a ruffianly type; big sticks and publican's
pewter measures are noticeable, besides gentlemen with damaged optics,
and without coats; a great dog, ladies from St. Giles's, and similarly
distinguished members of society. A scene of quarrelling, practical
joking, and general uproar is proceeding below.
_December 23, 1809._ _A Peep at the Gas Lights in Pall Mall._
Woodward del., Rowlandson sc.--The sketch represents a view of the
first thoroughfare where gas was employed to illuminate the streets.
Mr. Ackermann, the publisher, was one of the earliest to light his
Repository with gas, which he manufactured for the purpose, and was at
considerable expense in providing apparatus and making experiments in
improving the process. The sightseers are lost in wonder and admiration
at the novelty of finding gas burning in the streets; the lamps are
arranged in branches of three. A gentleman of fashion is endeavouring
to explain the science of gas-making to an elegant creature on his arm:
'The coals being steamed, produce tar or paint for the outside of
houses; the smoke passing through water is deprived of substance, and
burns as you see.' An Irish visitor, who has, uninvited, been attending
to this lucid explanation, is bursting out with 'Arrah, honey, if this
man brings fire through water we shall soon have the Thames and the
Liffey burnt down, and all the pretty little herrings and whales burnt
to cinders!' Amongst other wondergazers is a country farmer, who is
exclaiming, 'Wauns, what a main pretty light it be! we have nothing
like it in our country.' A Quaker, his companion, is responding, 'Ay,
friend, but it is all vanity; what is this to the inward light?' The
more disreputable members of the community are reflecting that the new
light will expose their depravities and put a stop to their commerce.
_December, 1809._ _Joint Stock Street._ Woodward del., Rowlandson
fecit. Published by T. Tegg (174).--From this satire it seems that a
company-mania must have raged in 1809, suggestive, in its extravagance,
of the days of the South Sea Bubble. In front of the _Hospital for
Incurables_ is a blank wall, covered with advertisements of various
joint-stock enterprises, which are attracting the attention of the
speculative. There is a _Doctors' Company_, offering incalculable
advantages: 'No charge for emetics, &c.; patent coffins provided on the
shortest notice; no surgeons admitted.' '_A Company of Menders_, open
to both sexes; wives to mend their husbands, husbands to mend their
wives, and most particularly, everybody to mend themselves.' _Company
of White-washers. N.B. No lawyers admitted. More advantages; a new
Cabbage and Potatoe Company, warranted genuine; no cooking required,
saves time and trouble._ At the corner of Bubble Alley is the following
tempting notice: _Peter Puff, manufacturer of deal boards without
knots, from genuine sawdust, &c._ And outside a miserable hovel is the
advertisement of _Tim Slashem, barber, and perriwig maker, who has a
company in formation of mowers of beards by a new machine, to shave
sixty men in a minute, to comb, oil, and powder their wigs in the
bargain_.
_December 24, 1809._ _The Bull and Mouth._ Woodward del., Rowlandson
sc. Published by T. Tegg (290).--A corpulent gentleman, wearing a
dressing-gown and nightcap, is yawning and stretching in his armchair.
His huge head and gaping jaws would furnish forth excellently well a
sign for the _Bull and Mouth_. By his side stands a handsome and highly
developed lady, who is taking advantage of the sleepiness of her rude
monster to slip a _billet-doux_ into the hand of a military officer,
who is waiting in the rear.
1809. _A Glee. How shall we Mortals Spend our Hours? In Love! in War!
in Drinking!_ Published by T. Tegg.--Three figures, represented as
seated at table, with all the appointments and accessories incidental
to the brewing of punch, carry out the spirit of the quotation. The
lover, a smart young buck, in top-boots, is rapturously clasping his
hands, after a toast, in inward contemplation of the perfections of
his mistress. An old Commodore illustrates the idea of a life spent in
warfare--although minus an eye and a leg, he is tough and hearty, and
is seemingly content with his pipe and bowl. The brutalising results of
hours devoted to mere bestial intoxication are realised in the person
of a slovenly and imbecile sot.
1809. _Rowlandson's Sketches from Nature._ Drawn and etched by
Rowlandson. Stadler, aquatinta. Published by T. Tegg.
A View in Camelford, Cornwall Sept. 1, 1809.
The Seat of M. Mitchell, Esq., Hengar, Cornwall Sept. 1 "
A Cottage in the Duchy of Cornwall Sept. 1 "
Village of St. Udy, Cornwall Sept. 1 "
Fowey, Cornwall Sept. 30 "
A View near Richmond Oct. 4 "
A View in Devonshire Oct. 4 "
Taunton Vale, Somersetshire Nov. 25 "
View near Newport, Isle of Wight Nov. 25 "
Temple at Strawberry Hill Nov. 25 "
White Lion Inn, Ponders End, Middlesex Nov. 25 "
STERNE'S 'SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY.'
CALAIS.
_The Coach-yard of Monsieur Dessein's Inn._--'This certainly, fair
lady,' said I, raising her hand up a little lightly as I began, 'must
be one of Fortune's whimsical doings: to take two utter strangers by
their hands--of different sexes, and perhaps from different corners
of the globe--and in one moment place them together in such a cordial
situation as Friendship herself could scarce have achieved for them,
had she projected it for a month.'
'And your reflection upon it shews how much, monsieur, she has
embarrassed you by the adventure.' In saying this she disengaged her
hand with a look which I thought a sufficient commentary upon the text.
The triumphs of a true feminine heart are short upon these
discomfitures. In a very few seconds she laid her hand upon the cuff of
my coat, in order to finish her reply.
* * * * *
I fear, in this interval, I must have made some slight efforts towards
a closer compression of her hand, from a subtle sensation I felt in the
palm of my own--not as if she was going to withdraw hers, but as if she
thought about it--and I had infallibly lost it a second time, had not
instinct more than reason directed me to the last resource in these
dangers--to hold it loosely, and in a manner as if I was every moment
going to release it of myself; so she let it continue, till Monsieur
Dessein returned with the key; and in the meantime I set myself to
consider how I should undo the ill impressions which the poor monk's
story, in case he had told it her, must have planted in her breast
against me.
[Illustration: YORICK AND FATHER LORENZO.]
_The Snuffbox._--The good old monk was within six paces of us, as the
idea of them crossed my mind, and was advancing towards us a little
out of the line, as if uncertain whether he should break in upon us or
no. He stopped, however, as soon as he came up to us, with a world of
frankness; and having a horn snuffbox in his hand, he presented it,
open, to me. 'You shall taste mine,' said I, pulling out my box (which
was a small tortoiseshell one), and putting it into his hand. ''Tis
most excellent,' said the monk. 'Then do me the favour,' I replied,
'to accept of the box and all; and, when you take a pinch out of it,
sometimes recollect it was the peace offering of a man who once used
you unkindly, but not from his heart.'
The poor monk blushed as red as scarlet. '_Mon Dieu!_' said he,
pressing his hands together, 'you never used me unkindly.' 'I should
think,' said the lady, 'he is not likely.' I blushed in my turn, but
from what movements I leave to the few who feel to analyse. 'Excuse
me, madame,' replied I, 'I treated him most unkindly, and from no
provocations.' ''Tis impossible,' said the lady. 'My God!' cried the
monk, with a warmth of asseveration which seemed not to belong to him,
'the fault was in me, and in the indiscretion of my zeal.' The lady
opposed it, and I joined with her in maintaining it was impossible that
a spirit so regulated as his could give offence to any.