Launching a frigate [graphic]

"Scene at the door of a Portsmouth brothel, a corner-house. A handsome young prostitute, elaborately dressed, with curls, feathered hat, and fluttering sash, walks from it, gazing straight before her. Behind her is a fat and hideous bawd, hands on hips, who watches her with calculating malevolence. The bawd wears a watch and seals dangling from her waist; behind her is a doorway inscribed 'Hotel', with an oil-lamp (as in No. 11454) projecting from the door-post; a bell-pull is inscribed 'Ring the Bell'. Just within the door is a dark lobby lit by a lamp hanging from the ceiling and leading to a second (closed) door in which there is a small grille or judas. On the wall of the house is the inscription 'Portsmouth Dock', and three bills: 'From the Country an Assortment of Fresh Ware'; 'A Tragedy in Rehearsal'; 'Leakes Genuine Pills'. In the background is a humbler establishment, with irregular gabled roof and a porch inscribed 'Lodgings'. A sailor stands looking up at a woman who leans from the window with outstretched arms. Flames and smoke belch from the chimney. Behind it are masts and sails."--British Museum online catalogue