Humphrey, William, approximately 1740-approximately 1810, printmaker
Published / Created:
[28 October 1778]
Call Number:
778.10.28.01+
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Abstract:
A crowd of visitors on the right are shown approaching the military camps at Coxheath indicated on the left with tents and cannon. The crowd, preceded by a barking dog, is chiefly comprised of women, led by a prostitute in pseudo-military garb who is carried on the shoulders of a soldier. Behind her a young woman leads a fat military officer wearing a large wig and carrying his sword in his hand. Following are two elderly women, one with a large muff, the other holding crutches and seated in a wheelbarrow pushed by an old man. Other women and soldiers make up the crowd. In the left foreground are three cannons, inscribed "9 P.", "9 Pounder", and "G.R. 12", the latter being admired by several women
Alternative Title:
Trip to Coxheath
Description:
Title from item., Signed in plate by artist I.M. [i.e. J. Mortimer?] and by engraver W.H. probably William Humphrey., and Also attributed to Gillray.
Publisher:
Pub. Oct. 28 1778 by W. Humphrey
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Topic):
Cannons, Crowds, Military uniforms, British, Military training, Courtesans, Wheelbarrows, Dogs, and Clothing & dress
"A boy officer in cabin sitting by a bowl of punch and smoking, with servant."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Modern commander
Description:
Title etched below image., Publication date based on Carington Bowles's separation of his own business from his father's. Cf. I. Maxted. London book trades., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Two columns of verse below title: From Mid: to Lieutenant, bluff, quickly doth rise ..., Companion print to: The military nurse, or Modern officer., Copy of a print of the same title published in 1750. Cf. No. 3089 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 3., Mounted to 29 x 21 cm., and Watermark.
Publisher:
Printed for Carington Bowles, Map & Printseller in St. Pauls Church Yard, London
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain. and England
Subject (Name):
Warren, Peter, Sir, 1703-1752
Subject (Topic):
Promotions, Cannons, Military uniforms, British, and Ships
"Miss Gunning sits astride a cannon directed against the façade of 'Blenheim'. Her mother (right) fires the cannon by putting her pen to the touch-hole; from its muzzle issue flames an letters inscribed : 'forged Love letter', 'Letter from Marq: of Blan[dford] written by myself', 'Letter written by my Daddy', 'Letter forged by my Mother', 'Letter forged by myself', 'Letters in Answer to my self''. In the central window in the portico of Blenheim are the bare posteriors of a figure emitting a bias excrement which strikes Miss Gunning, knocking her backwards, reaches Mrs. Gunning. The former, terrified, says, "O Mother! Mother! my mask'd Battery is discovered, & we shall be blown up! - O Mother, Mother, we must raise the Siege immediately, & take refuge under the Duchess's cover'd way, & there act on the defensive: O Mother: Mother, its all your fault, say what you will:" Mrs. Gunning says, her left hand raised in horror, "Good Heavens! who could have thought that the Seige of a Coronet would have ended in smoke & stink! - well I'll take my affidavit that I know nothing at all about the matter". An aged crone, the Duchess of Bedford, stands on the extreme right, raising her hooped petticoat to form a shelter; she says, "Come under my Protection, deary's I'll hide you in Bedfordshire; & find one of my little Granny-boys, to play with Missy". On the extreme left General Gunning, wearing regimentals, walks off, stooping furtively; he says, "I find our Stratagem wont take effect, & therefore I'll be off; & menœvre; - any common Soldier can lead on, to an attack, but it requires the skill of a General to bring off his forces with honor after a defeat - "."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Siege of Blenheim and New system of gunning discovered
Description:
Title etched at bottom of image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Text following title: Vide, A bold stroke for a husband., and Text in lower right corner: Dedicated to the Duke of A- [Argyll].
Publisher:
Pubd. March 5th, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond St.
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Name):
Bedford, Gertrude Leveson Gower, Duchess of, 1715-1794, Gunning, Miss (Elizabeth), 1769-1823, Gunning, Mrs. 1740?-1800 (Susannah),, and Gunning, John, -1797
