"A slim man, standing, 'chapeau-bras', in profile to the right. He is fashionably dressed in a high-collared coat cut back to form tails, and shirt frill; his shoes have very large buckles. His hair is in a queue resembling that worn by the Macaronies c. 1772 but smaller and attached to the back of his head instead of falling on his shoulders. Beneath the title is etched, 'These Species of Insects, of late are become exceeding numerous, (like the Green Louse, when first brought to Amsterdam, from a single one, has proceeded such Swarms as to be of alarming Consequence) their Colours' are various, '& cast their Coats like the Camelion, sometimes to ten different Shades of a day, it is difficult to distinguish the Male of these Reptiles from the Female, as the Voice & Manner approaches nearer to the Feminine than Masculine. Liquor they are peculiarly fond of, and when in a State of Inebriation are so troublesome, that it requires a stout Cane to keep them from stinging you. They are in being all the Year round, are chiefly to be found in the Boxes of the Theatres, Publick Gardens, Concerts, &c. You may hear them long before they come to View, by a shrill squeak of Bern me, Gad Zounds, Blood & Thunder, D------m'd Boar & such Phrases. The celebrated Linneus attributes their Generation to the Putrified Essence of Lavender, Bergamot, Marchalle Powder, Violets, Pomatums, Snuff, Grease &c. &c. Although their first Appearance has a terrible Aspect, they are as harmless and inoffensive, when sober, as New Born Babes. A Buckling of this Species, differs from a Buck, much in the same manner as a Hornet to a Wasp'."--British Museum online catalogue, description of a later state
Description:
Title etched below image., Questionable attribution to Rowlandson from the British Museum catalogue and Grego., Probably an early state; price statement, which seems to be partially or completely burnished away in later states, is present here. For a probable later state lacking price, see no. 6718 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6., "Price 6d, col[ore]d 1s."--Following imprint., Temporary local subject terms: Fashionable men -- Fashion -- Allusion to Charles Furtado., and Mounted to 45 x 29 cm.
Publisher:
Pub. as the act directs, 12th May, 1784, by a Lover of Natural History
