Practical education [graphic]

"Six pairs of persons converse, arranged in two rows, words etched above the head of the speaker. A plebeian-looking young man, fashionably dressed, and an elderly Scot sit facing each other. The former says: "You mun know Sir I have an idera [sic] of being made a member of Parlymint, so I wants to larn a little Horotry". The answer: "Depend upon it Mon while ye hae such a t'wang [sic] with you--you'l nere proo-noonce the angligh [sic] tongue as I do, wi awe purity". A dwarfish officer wearing an enormous cocked hat looks up at a corporal, saying, "As I am shortly to have a company--I want to know something about my Exercise". Corporal: "I'll soon set your eminence to rights in that respect, but I think your honor had better first take a little practice, as a Grenadier in the prussian service". A slim man in black bows to a clumsy fat parson, saying, "Sir as I am about to enter into Orders I wish to have a few lessons on the graces of the Pulpit". Answer: "Depend upon it I will make you perfect from the unfolding a white cambric, to the display of a diamond ring". A young man addresses an Irish barrister in wig and gown: "As I expect to be immediatly to be [sic] call'd to the Bar--I have waited on you Mr Sarjant O Brief, for a little instruction in the first rudiments of Law". Answer: "Upon my conscience Honey you could not come to a better parson I'll tache you to Bodder-em". ['Bother', an Anglo-Irish word meaning (inter alia) to confuse and to blarney or humbug. Cf. British Museum Satires No. 8141.] A yokel in top-boots and a London apothecary sit side by side. The former says: "You must know Sir I keeps a little Potticarys shop in our willage--but does not know how to make up the stuffs, I gives one thing for another, so hearing you be dead hands at Physic here in Lunon I be come to ax your advice". The answer: "Never fear I'll put you in the right way your patients shall never complain". A loutish countryman addresses an insinuating well-dressed man who holds a large volume: "Register for [Pla]ces: My Feather saw your Advartisement about pleaces--and has sent me up to you to provide for, as to my sen--I should like to be a Butcher has I always had a turn to somat genteel". The answer: "You have only a shilling to pay Sir, call again in a day or two and you may depend upon something in the genteel line that will suit you"."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state