Scandal refuted, or Billinsgate virtue [graphic]

"Two burly Billingsgate women confront each other on the quay in a verbal contest; spectators stand round. One (left) says: "Katty you had better hould your tongue and dont make me spake out, for you know I can blow you up, becase I know what myself I know!!--" The other retorts, hands on hips: "To the Devil I bob you for a new Year's gift! what do I regard you or any varmint like you; I know I am both a Wh . . . and a thief; and barring that, I defy you to say black is the white of my eye!!!--" An older woman smoking a pipe turns to another, saying, "Ah by Jasus Katty may say that! for excepting my poor Judy, that was hung for only taking care of a gontleman's gould watch, there is not a better girl in the Markett!" Behind (left) are the masts and sails of fishing-smacks, with men landing baskets of fish and carrying them from the waterside. A Dutchman smoking a pipe is the most prominent and interested of the spectators. On the right are market buildings."--British Museum online catalogue