The cowpox tragedy scene the last / [graphic]

"A large central design is flanked by four small designs arranged as if to represent the decorations of folding doors open to display a puppet-show (but explained as 'tablets ... in the manner of a child's writing piece', as in a plate published in 1803 by the Royal Jennerian Society, called 'A comparative View of the Effects on Individuals and Society between the Small-pox and Cow-pox'). There is a quasi-heraldic head-piece to the whole, with a scroll: 'Dedicated to the Associated Jennerain Cow Poxers of Gloster'. The main design is a funeral procession (right to left), the coffin inscribed 'Vaccina aged 12 Years'. Two bearers are seen under the pall; one points to two men heading the procession holding up placards; he says: "Par ignobile fratrum." The men are plainly dressed and Quaker-like, the placards are: 'National Vaccine Institution for Genuine Cow Pox by Act of Parliment! L- Undertaker' and 'Surry Dispensary Institution for Genuine Cow Pox . . . [ut supra] W [? John Walker] Undertaker'. In front of the procession marches a parson (Rowland Hill) with an open book and holding a torch from which rises smoke forming a dark background to the design. Beside him is a milestone inscribed 'IIII Miles from the Sur[rey] Round House'. The two pall-bearers (the others being hidden by the coffin) are elderly and ugly, the legs of one being shrunken, of the other gouty. They hold torches inscribed 'Harveian Oration'. On the coffin stands a golden calf, garlanded with roses, and inscribed 'The Brazen Image'. Immediately behind the coffin walks a little naked boy carrying a milk-pail on his head. Behind him walks an old man wearing a long official gown; he weeps and carries on a staff a conical fool's cap decorated with bells and inscribed 'L Ps [Pepys] Præsus'. He is followed by a fat parson and a woman registering violent grief. The procession of mourners, old men and women, emerges from a building which is collapsing (right). This is hexagonal with a dome, lantern, and spire, having a flag inscribed 'Broad hum for ever'. The building tilts, and the spire breaks off, under the impact of rays from a face centrally placed in the upper part of the design, just above the 'Brazen Image'. The rays dispel the heavy clouds which surround the procession and are inscribed (left to right): 'Common Sense', 'Candid Investigation', 'Reason', 'Religion', 'Truth'. The upper part of the design is framed by a festooned stage-curtain inscribed 'His Conscience that makes Cow-herds of us all'. From this falls downwards and to the right a little cow with the (horned) head of Jenner, much distressed. The four smaller designs are realistic scenes. [1] A doctor sits with hands on knees addressing a young woman who stands holding an angry baby. He says: "I will not recommenendd your Milk Lass--unless you have the Child Cow pox'd." On the wall is a picture of a cow dancing on its hind-legs while a man fiddles. [2] A handsome young blacksmith standing beside his anvil puts his arm on the shoulder of a sick and spotty friend, asking, "What's the Matter Dick." The other, supporting his head on his hand, answers: "I have caught the Small pox tho I was Cowed with the genuine Parliment sort." [3] A milkmaid, her pail on her head, shows her little boy to an elderly doctor (Jenner). The child displays his speckled arm, his face also is covered with a dark rash. She says: "The Docter says it is the Small Pox." He answers: "Poh! 'tis-- impossible I Vaccinated him My self at Cheltenham." [4] A doctor (Moore) and a parson (Rowland Hill) sit facing each other in controversy. An angry old woman stands between them, saying to Moore: "You have brought the College into sad disgrace Squire." He says: "I dare not make any Moore Reports." Hill answers: "I'll have it preached & practised in all My Methodest Chappels not withstanding." Above the design and below the dedication is a central sarcophagus supported on cloven hoofs, and inscribed: 'To the Memory Of Vaccina who died April the First!' On this a cow lies on her back. A burlesque figure of Time chops off the cow's head with his scythe; he wears breeches, shoes, and stockings, and on his head is a winged hour-glass. Opposite, and, like Time, in the position of a supporter to a coat-of-arms, a donkey prances on one hind-leg, its forefeet on the tomb. This centre-piece is flanked by cornucopias, one (left) scattering papers on to a bed of roses, the other (right) on to a pile of skulls and bones. The papers are (left): 'Illustrations of the Proofs of Young Jenners Inoculation by Dr Barron'; 'Grovennor Case'; 'List of Fai[lures]'; 'Sermons on Cow Pox by Rowland & Others'; 'Blair's Whores of Baby Ion'; 'Harveian Orations'; 'College Reports'; 'Supposing Reports'; 'Rings Botherations'; 'Roseum oratio'; 'Ringwood Report'. On the right: 'Squinting Eyes &cc'; 'Glandle swelli[ngs]'; 'Scabed Heads'; 'Jennerain Scrophula'; 'Blindness'; 'Vaccine Eruptions'; 'Inflamed Arms'; 'Cow Itch'; 'Lingering Death'; 'Cowpox Mange'; 'Tumid Glands'; 'In Cælo Quies'."--British Museum online catalogue