The theatrical bubble being a new specimen of the astonishing powers of the great Politico-Punchinello in the art of dramatic puffing / [graphic]

"Sheridan, as Punch, grotesquely caricatured, stands on a platform, above the heads of a cheering crowd, blowing soap-bubbles. Clusters of soap-suds fall from the pipe, and from it rises an oval containing a figure of Young Roscius, in Highland dress as Douglas in Home's play. The boy, breathing fire, holds out a coral and bells, striding arrogantly over decollated heads inscribed 'Exit Garrick - Kemble - Cooke'. Other actors, freely indicated, stagger back from the young conqueror, over whose head are the words 'Veni. Vidi Vici.' Sheridan's pipe is irradiated against a dark sky. From the pipe, and a source of some of the rays, project little trumpets with banners inscribed respectively: 'Times', 'Morning Chronicle', 'True Briton', 'Sunday Observer', 'Herald'. From each issue the words (sometimes repeated): 'Roscius!' followed sometimes by faintly-drawn ciphers. Sheridan gazes up at his huge bubble. He is bloated and pimpled; his head sunk between hump and paunch. His dress is striped, his contour defined by close-set buttons, ound his paunch is twisted a tricolour sash; a tricolour cockade decorates is hat, which has a conical crown, curved brim, and erect feather. His pocket angs inside out, patched and empty. The cheering crowd (r.) fling coins to the platform, on which lie two pamphlets: 'Account of the Profits of the Bubble' and 'Petition of the Renters for a Share in the profits of the Bubble'. Behind Sheridan lies the dog, 'Carlo', hero of 'The Caravan', see BMSat 10172, &c. Beside Carlo is a padlocked money-box: 'Drury Lane Strong Box'. These are under a table at the back of the stage. On the table is a barber's bowl, filled cubbies issuing from a pipe; the largest is inscribed 'Forty Thieves'; under the bowl is a paper: 'Materials for bran-New Pantomimes for Johnny Bull's Amusement'. Beside the bowl is a bottle labelled 'To be repeated the first opportunity', in whose neck is a funnel inscribed 'Bottle Conjurer', which is filled by a little fat man who grasps his paunch. The back of the stage is bordered by a curtain from which project over the table a sign and a banner. On the former is a dog with the inscription: 'The Wonderful Red Lion, of surpassing Abilities - to be seen within.' On the banner: 'In a few Days, will be Perfom'd - a new Comic Divertisment, called The Bubble-burst, accompanied bv Laughing Song by John Bull.' ..."--British Museum online catalogue