"A design in two compartments; above, cavalry proceed right to left; below, infantry march left to right. [1] A burlesqued procession of men variously mounted. The leader, dressed as a light horseman and holding up a sabre, rides a horse with blinkers, trampling on a hen and chickens and leaving a dead pig behind him. He says: "Know all Men by these presents that if any accidents happen I do not Consider myself accountable for them after thus publiccally Warning every Person to keep within doors all all [sic] their live and Dead Stock!!" The next horseman, whose hat flies off, turns to shout: "Hollo there, some body be so good as to catch my hat." He is followed by a silent man riding a bull. Next him a man threatens with his sword a ragged boy on an ass: "What are you at you young scoundrel are you going to ride over the Captain keep in your rank you." The boy answers: "What d'ye mean by that I have as much right here as you." A man clasps his horse's neck, saying, "Curse the Horse how he Prances." Behind the ass, the horse of a man in civilian dress falls on its knees, throwing its rider, who says: "D------n the chimney Sweeper I thought he'd be over us." A rider (horse visible) shouts "Take care of the Apple Stall", while an old woman throws up her arms, shouting, "O Dear Mr Soldier dont ride over me." She is in danger from a man in regimentals, gauntlet gloves, and wearing a sword, but whose horse has blinkers. A man turns to him, saying, "D------n me you'll kill the old woman." He answers: "What signifies that charge her to the parish." The last of the procession is a yokel in a smock, on a horse with blinkers and collar. He rides down a pig and poultry; his neighbour turns to him, saying, "Mind what you are hat - you Sir in the Blue Frock if you kill the Pigs it will be actionable." He answers : "Then let them keep out of the way of the Sarvice." [2] An unsoldierly group march with bayoneted muskets, preceded by two boys with fife and drum. The officer, wearing a gorget and holding up a sword, scowls at a man behind him who raises his leg so high as to kick him, saying: "None of your tricks Jack dont Fancy you are in the shop now": the grinning offender is addressed by a man wearing a Grenadier's cap who marches beside him: "Mind what you are about or you will be had before a Court Martial". A man with tipsily closed eyes says, "I'm as giddy as a goose." A short, fat, elderly man in civilian dress says, "Warm work my Masters". His neighbour answers, "Nothing when you are used to it". A man wearing an apron rests his musket horizontally on his shoulder, saying, "This is the way to march"; he spikes the hat of the man behind, who shouts: "What are you at you fellow in green are you going to poke peoples eyes out". A stout man says, "When I kept the tripe Shop in the Borough who would have thought I should have rose to be an Insign." Beside him walks a woman with a bottle and glass shouting, "Does any Gentlemen in the front ranks want a drap of good Gin." A Grenadier marches beside the last couple looking contemptuously at a man in a shirt who says: "By goles this thing [musket] is so heavy it's the best way to drag it along and not carry it." The last man, who is bandy-legged, says, "I donna much like it."."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker identified as Isaac Cruikshank in the British Museum catalogue., Publisher's advertisement following imprint: Folios of caracatures [sic] lent out for the evening., and Imperfect; sheet trimmed within plate mark, resulting in loss of imprint statement and publisher's advertisement from bottom edge. Missing text supplied from impression in the British Museum.
Publisher:
Pubd. January 1st, 1797, by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly, corner of Sackville St.
