"Mrs. Clarke's house is on the right. A military officer (Wardle) wrapped in a cloak slips a purse into the hand of a meretricious young woman at the door, with a belt inscribed Favorit. Mrs. Clarke, her breast much exposed, leans from a window to look down at him. Two other men look from other windows. Above the door is a lantern inscribed: Now Exhibiting Wonders upon Wonders or Mrs Clarkes Puppet Show Which has given satisn to Po[ ? pulace] and Prince. Below this is a board: All the World's a Stage and Men and Women merely Players-- some play the upper some the under part, but chief Play that--most foreign to their heart. On the door: Knock and you shall Enter. On the wall (by Mrs. Clarke) is a sign for "Globe Fire Insurance". On the right the Duke of York walks away from the house; he wears a mitre and carries a crosier; a bishop's robe, on which are the words "Men have their Entrances & their Exits". Next to him walks an elderly lawyer (Adam) and a fat parson (O'Meara) hurries after him. Facing Mrs. Clarke's house is a row of houses: Prospect Row; old women, Maiden Ladies, watch from upper windows, as does an old man with a telescope who puts a grotesque head out of an attic window inscribed Peeping Toms Observatory. He says: O the Devil choak her he's Waddling in as Im a prying Croaker. Two cats fight on the roof; words issue from one of them: "Come what come may the Cat will mew. The Dog will have his day"."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Croaking member surveying the inside, outside and backside of Mrs. Clarkes premises
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on top edge., and Mounted to 29 x 43 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 4, 1809, by Thos. Tegg, No. 111 Cheapside
Subject (Name):
Frederick Augustus, Prince, Duke of York and Albany, 1763-1827, Clarke, Mary Anne Thompson, 1776-1852, Croker, John Wilson, 1780-1857, Adam, William, 1751-1839, and Wardle, Gwyllym Lloyd, 1762?-1833
