"Ladies and gentlemen seated in a semicircle, while a footman holds a circular tray on which are tea-cups, &c. In the foreground a man sits (centre) his bag-wig hanging over the back of his chair facing the semicircle. On the extreme left a man sits stiffly, hat under his right arm, tea-cup in his left hand; next is an elderly and ugly woman, holding a fan; then a stout man seated uncomfortably on the edge of his chair. Then a lean and ugly old woman sitting very upright, with a fan. In the centre of the circle, full face, holding a tea-cup in both hands and looking downwards, is a lady with enormously wide petticoats, who appears to be the hostess. Next stands the footman, who is glaring with scorn at a French manservant who stands behind the guests on the left holding a plate of bread and butter. The remaining guests are in a group on the right. A stout and ugly man, in profile to the left, stretches out his hand, either in gesticulation, or to take a cup of tea from the tray. Next him is a plainly dressed man with an enormous wig who is laughing and looking through a single eye-glass. These two are the only guests who show the slightest animation, the others sitting rigidly silent. On the extreme right sits a young lady of pleasing appearance, in profile to the left, looking down demurely at her fan. Behind her (right) appears the head of a good-looking young man, whose arm rests on the back of her chair. Two oval pictures are indicated on the back wall the room."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state
Description:
Title etched below image., Reissue, with different imprint statement, of a print originally published 11 February 1782 by W. Dickinson. Cf. No. 6141 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 5., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on right and left edges., Plate numbered in upper right corner: No. 14., Temporary local subject terms: Tea services -- Male costume, 1782 -- Female costume, 1782 -- Domestic service: Footmen -- French man-servant -- Monocles., Watermark., and Imperfect; plate number partially erased from upper right corner of sheet.
Publisher:
Pub. April 1, 1794, by J. Harris, Sweetings Alley, Cornhill
