"Erskine, dressed as an officer of the Inns of Court Volunteers, kneels on one knee to receive spurs from Sir James Mansfield, in legal wig and gown, who stands over him, his sword held vertically. Erskine's knee rests on a bulky brief: 'The King v. Hardy Brief for Def[ence]'; he says: "Henceforth I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance [? and abjure] traiterous . . . (the words obscured by his plumed helmet)". In the foreground two couples of privates or N.C.O.s (left and right) walk off scowling suspiciously over their shoulders at the investiture. The design is framed by two arches of the cloister of the Temple Church. Through one (left) is seen the body of the church: three (sculptured) recumbent Knights Templars raise themselves from their tombs to gaze in horror at the scene. All five volunteers wear plumed helmets and epaulets. The two on the left carry, one a pike, the other a bayoneted musket, both directed towards the new knight. Under the foot of one is a torn paper: 'Mr Sheridan Speech & Vote of thanks to the Volunteer[s]'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from text in top part of image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Approximate date of publication from the British Museum catalogue., Two columns of verse below image: Templars of old were valiant knights, defenders of their country's rights ..., and Mounted to 56 x 37 cm.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Mansfield, James, Sir, 1733-1821, Hardy, Thomas, 1752-1832., Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816., and Temple Church (London, England),
Title etched below image., Publication information from the book in which the print was published., Plate from: Robertson, A. A topographical survey of the great road from London to Bath and Bristol. London : Printed for the author; and William Faden, 1792., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Mounted on page 192 of William Bawtree's extra-illustrated copy of Horace Walpole's: A description of the villa of Mr. Horace Walpole. Strawberry Hill : Printed by Thomas Kirgate, 1784. See A.T. Hazen's Bibliography of the Strawberry Hill Press (1973 ed.), no. 30, copy 11.
"A dandy, with moustache, whisker, and beard, steps gingerly from an archway, one of three lit by hanging lamps, leading from the portico of the King's Theatre, Haymarket, to the street. Water from a spout descends on his top-hat, whence it gushes fore and aft in huge streams. He wears tail-coat, short trousers, and very flimsy pumps; he holds his handkerchief round his coat-collar; his gloves fall to the ground and he steps towards a muddy stream. A link-boy leans as if asleep under the next arch. Two bills are posted: Chelsea Watermains always charged F.P. 16. ft. and Madame Pasta's Benefit Night. Title from Mary Shelley's book, published 1826, cf. British Museum Satires No. 15341."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Last man
Description:
Title etched below image. and Text below title: Dish me! if I sha'nt be in a nice mess before I get to Joy's!!
Publisher:
Pub. June 1827 by T. Gillard, 40 Strand
Subject (Topic):
Dandies, British, Covered walks, Arches, and Light fixtures