"Lady Perceval sits at an ornate writing-table, pen in hand. A serpent issues from her breast, coils round her arm, and darts its fang at the tip of her pen. She frowns meditatively, saying, "Now then for something strong but not libellous, I hate half measures we must rush upon the enemy--suprise [sic], astound him--and unhorse him by Terror--John Bull have at you! I'll open your eyes--." The table is littered with papers and books; some are docketed: 'For the Star', 'To the Editor of the Star', 'For the News', 'Extracts from the Book', one is 'Copy', a book is 'Politicks', and a large paper is displayed: 'Select Scraps from Shakespeare--with my own comments "Some achieve greatness "some have greatness thrust upon them .... Querie was this not the case with Nunky [Spencer Perceval], why not happen .... Son--.' Other papers and books lie on the floor: newspapers are 'The News' and 'The Star', a paper is headed 'Memorandums Billy Austin [see British Museum Satires No. 12027]--the Will--' Books are 'Life of Lord Nelson', 'A very Woman by Massinger', 'Machiavael', 'Johnson', 'Indiscretion a Novel', 'Don Quixote'. On the left John Mitford, identified by a letter in his coat-pocket 'To John Mit--', stands facing the wall, and hanging one picture over another: he places a view of a country inn, 'The Tigers Head' above one of '[War]burton's Mad House', saying, "Come this is a prettier picture than the other [left] shall catch some fish in this neighbourhood." He is fashionably dressed, wearing Hessian boots. This picture is on the left of a row: a large picture of 'Alecto' (cf. British Museum Satires No. 7721), naked, wreathed in serpents, and brandishing scourge and fire-brand, with a background of flames hangs between three-quarter length portraits of 'Lady Douglas' and 'Lady A Hamilton'. The former covers her face with a tragic gesture; a dagger lies on a table beside her, she seems to contemplate suicide. The latter clasps her hands. Over the chimneypiece (right) is a three-quarter length portrait of 'Lord P . . . . val' concealing his face with his hat; below, and partly hiding the frame, is a statuette of a knight killing a dragon. On the chimney-piece there is also a bottle labelled 'Cephalic' (for diseases of the head). Papers are burning in the grate, one inscribed 'To[o] Libellous'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Lady Paragraph championizing
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Text following title: - vide Letters., Imperfect; sheet trimmed within plate mark with loss of text following title. Missing text supplied from impression in the British Museum., Temporary local subject terms: Pictures amplify subject., Watermark: C. Ansell 1807., and Formerly mounted with remnants on verso.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 4th, 1814, by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly
"Twelve standing figures arranged in two rows, their words etched above their heads. [1] A fat and prosperous citizen smoking a long pipe, smoke puffing from the corners of his mouth and his nostrils: 'I will be bound - with a dozen of our Club and a proper allowance of fire, and the best Virginia, to smoke the French Mounseers from Dover to Calais, in the turning of a Tobacco stopper, who's afraid?' (cf. British Museum Satires No. 8220). The others, who make similar boasts of their ability to resist an invasion are: [2] A shambling journeyman tailor who speaks in the name of 'all united Taylors'. [3] A ragged cobbler, knock-kneed to deformity, who is also a preacher, cf. British Museum Satires No. 8026. [4] A 'Loyal Gypsy' with an (unnecessary) wooden leg. [5] A young woman (? Mrs. Concannon) as one of the 'Host of Faro, prepared to batter the enemy, with the remnants of our Reputations!' [6] A badly maimed officer, on stumps, with amputated right arm. [7] A doctor prepared to use his 'patent pills' on the enemy. [8] A Billingsgate virago. [9] A yokel: 'they had better keep away from our village . . . for I believe in my heart, the very Turkies would rise in a mass against them, who's afraid.' [10] A foppish apprentice: 'I am a tight dashing fresh water Sailor; - keep a funny row to Putney every Sunday - let me catch them above Bridge - thats all. who's afraid.' [11] An attorney prepared to present his bill to the enemy. [12] A stout man wearing a hat stands in back view, legs astride, coat-tails raised as if with his back to the fire: 'Lets teach em good manners D------mme who's afraid?'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Effects of an invasion!!
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Imperfect; sheet trimmed within plate mark on three sides resulting in loss of title from lower edge. Title supplied from impression in the British Museum., and Manuscript title added in ink at bottom of image, above imprint: Who's afraid! or the effects of an invasion!!
Publisher:
Pub. Nov 21, 1796, by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly corner of Sackville Street
Subject (Topic):
Public opinion, Pipes (Smoking), Tailors, Shoemakers, Disabled veterans, Amputees, Physicians, Pitchforks, Dandies, British, Lawyers, and People associated with manual labor
