Irish decency! [graphic] / No. 1

"A magistrate, identified as 'the Hon. Sir Thomas McKenny', Mayor of Dublin, sits at a table on a small dais, giving instructions to constables. On the wall behind is a crowned Irish harp. Beside him sits a clerk, pen in hand. Two ladies watch the proceedings, seated by the table. The two constables have large bludgeons; their clothes are patched and ragged, but they have a sanctimonious air. One says: "Plaise your Worship it's a scandalous shame that honest Women can't take a bit of a walk near the Royal Canal but they must shut their eyes! as the place is full of Naked blackguards; cooling themselves this hot weather." The other adds: "Upon my Soul your Honor it's all true they are standing all about the place your worship!" One woman, whose breasts are immodestly exposed, says: "What a Shame!!" The other: "What they say is very true I've seen it myself, it's a great shame." The Mayor rests one gouty foot on a stool; before him is an open book, 'Burns Justice'; its right page is inscribed: '20 pence is 1s.8d--6 & 4 is 10'. He answers with a startled expression: "Cooling themselves by J--!! in the Royal Canal too!!! the Devil burn 'em!!--I'll cool the Vagabonds-- Paddy O' Shaughnessy. I give you & Old O' Calahan the thanks of the Corporation for your Modesty, go to the canal tomorrow & take away all their cloaths, I'll teach the rascals Decency!" The clerk says: "By the Powers! we'll commit them." Two men, barelegged and ragged, look in at the door (left). One says: "Sure we are only diverting ourselves your Worship becase we have no dinner"; the other: "Faith & sure & the'll never lave us to go home Naked!" A dandy stands against the wall looking with quizzical amusement at the Mayor."--British Museum online catalogue