"In a large room lit by candles in sconces, a round game is in progress. The guests are ladies, undergraduates, and elderly parsons, some sit in a circle, while others look over their heads. An elderly parson grovels on his hands and knees, putting his head under the petticoats of a lady who sits (left) with her hands raised in surprise. He acts at the direction of a boy (Prince William of Gloucester) wearing the gown of (?) a fellow commoner over a coat with a star, who stands (right) in profile to the left, stretching his right arm with an autocratic gesture; a spaniel licks his feet. A stout parson seated behind him on the extreme left scowls and clenches his fist at the scene. The lady (the Duchess of Gloucester) sits between a fashionably dressed undergraduate wearing the gown of (?) a fellow commoner, and a stout parson who holds up his hands in astonishment. The undergraduates and some of the parsons appear amused, others frown disapprovingly. On the extreme left is a small round table on which are two candles and playing-cards."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Questions and commands, Mistaken road to He-r-f-rd, and Mistaken road to Hereford
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Text below title in lower right: Vide, J-s-s Colle. Cambe., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Allusion to the see of Hereford -- Horace Walpole owned print (NYPL) -- Jesus College, Cambridge -- Petticoat influence -- Spaniel -- Games: Round -- Tripod tables -- Male costumes: Cantabridgian -- Fellow commoner -- Possible caricature of John Butler, 1717-1802.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 11th, 1788, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, 1776-1834, Gloucester, Maria Walpole, Duchess of, 1735-1807, Beadon, Richard, 1737-1824, and Butler, John, 1717-1802
Subject (Topic):
Candles, Candlesticks, Clergy, Dogs, Gambling, Playing cards, Rugs, and Sconces
