"A view of the left side of the stage, including part of a stage box on the extreme left. From this leans a figure of Folly wearing a fool's cap with ass's ears, clapping his hands. Within the shadow of the box is the head of a staring owl (cf. British Museum Satires No. 5363). A frieze of dancing dogs (cf. British Museum Satires No. 16715) decorates the lower part of the box; above is a grinning mask flanked by dogs' heads. The capital of the Corinthian pilaster that flanks the stage is formed of dogs' heads. At its foot is a figure of Thalia covering her face with her hands. At the base of her pedestal is an open book: 'The Caravan or the Driver and his Dog a Farce.' This lies on and obscures another: 'The Critic or Tragedy rehearsed'. The front of the stage is filled with a large pool; in this a dog swims, his collar inscribed 'Carlo'; he holds the head of Sheridan above the water by his hair, saying: "------methinks it were an easy Leap" To dive into the bottom of the Deep" And pluck up drowned honour by ye Locks." ['1 Henry IV', I. iii.] Water gushes into the pool from left and right; on the righ from a mound of stone slabs on which is poised a wheeled dog-kennel. By the roof of the kennel are the heads of two enormous and camel-like dogs, muzzled (or bridled), and peering at Carlo; one partly obscures a notice-board on a post in the pool: 'Humane Socie[ty for] recovering drowning persons] It is recommended That Dog Kennels [should be] stationed at all Ho[uses of] public Entertainment for the Benefit of drowning persons.' The scenery is a water-side castle."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
New way to keep one's head above water
Description:
Title etched in lower right corner image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Text below title: Motto for the farce, And Folly clappd. his hands and Wisdom star'd. Churchill., Temporary local subject terms: Carlo -- Thalia -- Dancing Dog -- Folly -- Drury Lane., and Mounted to 33 x 41 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. 17th Decr. 1803 by H. Humphrey, St. James's Str
Subject (Name):
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
Subject (Topic):
Stages (Platforms), Dogs, Owls, Fools' caps, and Masks
