[John Nichols] [graphic].

"Frontispiece from Wolcot's 'Benevolent Epistle to Sylvanus Urban alias Master John Nichols, Printer, . . . 1790'. Nichols (left) has just risen in anger from his chair and looks to the left, resting his clenched fists on two large volumes placed on a small roughly made table, on which is also an ink-pot with pens. These are 'Q. Eliz: Prog:' and 'Anecdotes of Mr B.' [Bowyer]. In the background is Parnassus, with the Temple of Fame, on which is poised a figure of Fame blowing a trumpet. Against the mountain rests a tall ladder up which a dog has scrambled, but is still far from the summit. A man on stilts advances towards the mountain, an 'Essay on Old Maids' projects from his pocket, showing that he is William Hayley; a paper inscribed 'Eudora' falls from him. On the ground are: a letter 'ToMr.N--c--ll'; a book: 'Gentlemans Magazine', and papers; 'Charade', 'Conundrum Riddle', 'Rebus', 'Mr Badcocks Letters'. Beneath the design is engraved:'With anger foaming and of vengeance full, Why belloweth John Nichols like a bull?'"--British museum online catalogue