"Mrs. Billington, enormously fat, sits in an arm-chair, her arms flung over its arms, opening her mouth for a spoonful of guineas, administered by W. T. Lewis (right), who bends over her. On her other side stands Sheridan, round-shouldered, stooping, and agitated. He holds out a money-bag, saying, "O Dear O Dear - if the dear Creature has lost her Notes - what will become of us - my dear friend spare no Cost to make up the deficiency, give her another spoonfull, I have plenty more in the bag - all the true Pizarro-coinage." Lewis, smiling, answers: "Dont be alarmed she takes the Boluses very kindly - and I have every reason to hope a speedy recovery." Mrs. Billington is dressed as Clara, in quasi-Spanish costume, almost as in British Museum Satires No. 9914; a checked scarf lies across her lap. On the right are two amoretti; one stands looking up at the other, who flies above his head holding out a scroll; both hold handkerchiefs to their eyes; the one below has butterfly wings and a wreath of roses, the other has feathered wings. The scroll: 'Mourn Cherubims and Seraphims Clara's Notes are Stopp'd - Copy of a Letter - Dear Sir, It grieves me to the heart that I am not able to play this evening - my Throat being so closed as not to leave me a single Note in my Voice" [see British Museum Satires No. 9970]."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched at bottom of image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Printseller's announcement in lower right: Folios of caracatures [sic] lent out for the evening., Temporary local subject terms: Furniture: Armchair -- Money: Guineas -- Medical Procedures: administering medicine -- Literature Allusion: Richard Brinsley Sheridan, 1756-1816, 'The Duenna'., Figures identified by ms. note in contemporary hand at bottom of sheet: Sheridan ; Mrs. Billington ; Lewis., Printseller's identification stamp located in lower right corner of print: S·W·F., and Mounted to 30 x 47 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. Jany. 16th, 1802, by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Billington, Elizabeth, 1765-1818, Lewis, William Thomas, 1746?-1812, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
Subject (Topic):
Obesity, Opera singers, Chairs, Coins, Physicians, and Putti
