A midwife going to a labour [graphic]

"A fat elderly woman walks (left to right) over rough cobbles, in the teeth of a strong wind against a deluge of rain; her contour is global and fills the greater part of the design. She holds a lighted lantern and clutches a bottle of cordial and a bundle. She wears a hooded cloak, a flat straw hat over a white cap, and pattens. Near her (right) runs a shivering little chimney-sweep, bare-legged, and carrying his tools and soot-bag; he is shouting or 'crying the streets' for custom. Behind her (left) is an aged watchman, leaning with folded arms on the front of his watch-box, asleep. His lighted lantern hangs above his head."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state