The friend of humanity and the knife-grinder scene: the Borough, in imitation of Mr. Southey's Sapphics. [graphic]

"Tierney (not caricatured) stands directed to the right, with left hand raised in reproof to the knife-grinder (right), who pushes his barrow with a shuffling gait. The latter's hat, coat, and breeches are torn and he has a fixed, insinuating grin. Behind him is the door of an alehouse, the sign of the Chequers hanging from a beam inscribed 'Best Brown Stout'. On the lintel is 'Dealer in Brandy Rum & Gin'. Tierney has short hair, wears a round hat, double-breasted coat, and half-boots, and holds a stick. Behind him a street recedes diagonally to the right, the nearest house inscribed 'Tierney & Liberty'. In front of this is a coach with an earl's coronet, and two footmen standing behind; a horseman advances towards it from the right. Beneath the title is etched in two columns the well-known parody of Southey by Frere and Canning published in the second number of the 'Anti-Jacobin' (27 Nov.). ..."--British Museum online catalogue