"A giant File (for filing papers by spiking them), a rod with a round base and terminating in a hook, bisects the design vertically. To the hook is padlocked a handsome country seat, surrounded by trees, lawn, flower-bed, deer, and peacock. At the base is the same house in ruins. In each corner of the design is a pair of figures: the lawyer and his client at different stages of the suit. Spiked on the file, and filling the centre of the design, is a long procession, extending over two concentric ovals and enclosing the final scene, the exterior of a debtors' prison; it begins with a Full Purse and ends with a limp Empty Purse. The corner designs: [1] an obsequious attorney bows to a stout and jovial sportsman, saying, Oh Yes, a Chancery Suit will soon put you in possession of that fine Estate. [2] The Defendant, dandified and slim, nonchalantly empties a purse into an attorney's hat, saying, There take that, and file a bill immediately. [3] Older and ragged, the Plaintiff stands back to back with an obese barrister who scans an enormous bill of Costs, much of which lies coiled on the ground. Below: How blest was I, before I went To Law I fear'd no Writs, I felt no Bailifs Claw. (lines quoted also in British Museum Satires No. 1609, see British Museum Satires No. 3047) [4] The Defendant, almost more ragged and dejected, stands with hands thrust in empty pockets, while a paunchy barrister marches off in triumph. Below: Now happy man, can'st triumph in thy Woes? For tho' thou'st got the Day, thou'st lost thy Clothes. (lines adapted from No. 3048 (1749) The centre procession of little figures, everyone carrying a purse, is headed by the Sergeant at Arms capering along, the mace on his shoulder, followed by the L--d--C--ll--r, and his train-bearer. Next, the Master of the Rolls and three Clerks, all carrying bulky packages of Orders and Decrees. Next, walking in pairs, come 12 Masters in Chancery [there were actually ten], in wig and gown, holding papers inscribed Affidavit, Recognizance, Orders, and Deeds; they carry between them one vast elongated purse. Six dandified Clerks follow, each with a pen behind his ear. Next, The Clerk of the Crown and Deputy, the first a barrister, the second carrying Decrees spiked on a rod, and followed by another barrister, the Registar [sic], and by another batch of (six) Clerks. After these walk The Six Clerks, in wig and gown, holding papers: Procedure on Bill, Pardon, Commission Bankrupt[cy]. A rather raffish crowd of 60 Assistants follows, their hands greedily extended, despite their fat purses. 24 Cursitors in wig and gown take up more space in the procession than the preceding '60'; they are headed by one of their number holding large Writs. Six individuals follow: Clerk of the Hamper, dragging two big Leather Bags; Comptroller of the Hamper; Clerk of the Patents with a Charter; Master of the Suppoena Office--; Clerk of the Affidavits. Eight Clerks of the Petty Bags follow, and are followed by two Examiners (barristers). Next are the Clerk of the Rolls, a barrister, burdened with Deeds, and the Usher of the Court holding a wand. Two Tipstaves follow; then comes the Warden of the Fleet, and last of all two burly Turnkeys, and a long Empty Purse. This procession marches along a path coiled in two concentric ovals, like a lengthy legal document, some of the figures being upside down; it encloses the centre design, so that its tail points to the door of the Fleet Prison. From a barred window placarded Poor Debtors a victim looks out; he is given alms by a dustman and an apple by an old apple-woman. On the right a fat prosperous butcher stands by his stall in the Fleet Market."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Imperfect; publication date erased from imprint. Missing text supplied from impression in the British Museum., and Date in imprint supplied in ms.
