A lawyers advice after leaving off practice!! / [graphic]

"A lawyer, spectacles on forehead, seated in an arm-chair by a blazing fire (right), listens with quizzically twisted mouth and folded hands to a visitor with a grievance. Between them is a table with glasses, spirit-bottle, as well as a newspaper under the lawyer's elbow. His friend (left) leans forward, gesticulating, to say: "My dear Friend Quilldrive,-- I have a Melancholy affair to communicate, I had put by just five hundred Guineas purposely for Law, and some villian has robb'd me of every farthing!-- what would you advise me to do in this distressing case?" The other answers: "Why--I'd advise you, instead of desponding, to rejoice & sing, for depend upon it, you are a gainer by the loss!!!" A dog, his collar inscribed 'Quild[rive]' sits opposite the fire. On the chimney-piece are a clock and a china mandarin."--British Museum online catalogue