"Mrs. Clarke stands between Wardle and Wright, arms akimbo, an impudent and alluring virago. Wardle turns his head from her to speak to General Clavering, who stands on the extreme left. Clavering, in regimentals, his cocked hat poised absurdly on the top of his head, stands glaring angrily at Mrs. Clarke; he says: I intend to commence an Action against her for obtaining Mony under false pretences in the case of French's Levy -- I'll teach her to send Gentlemen to Newgate. Wardle, in civilian dress, answers: Leave her to me Ill touch her up in the Furniture Business. Mrs. Clarke says: I dont care a fig for any of you -- and as to you Mr Furniture Monger [Wardle]--ll be before hand with you. Wright, the upholsterer, stands behind her (right); he looks to the left scowling, and says: Thats a good girl follow him up--ll back you Ill let him know who's Wright and whose Wrong. If I dont enter an action against him I am no Upholsterer. On the extreme right and in profile to the left, stands Serjeant Best, in wig and gown, holding a large Brief, with turn over at the bottom of the first page. He looks slyly towards all four, saying, That's right my good Friends it is All for the Best."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Diamond cut diamond
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Possibly a variant state. For a state lacking plate number, see no. 11347 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8, Sheet trimmed to plate mark on top and bottom edges., Plate numbered "97" in upper left corner., and Mounted to 29 x 42 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. July 16, 1809, by Thos. Tegg, No. 111 Cheapside
Subject (Name):
Clarke, Mary Anne Thompson, 1776-1852, Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, and Wardle, Gwyllym Lloyd, 1762?-1833
"Mrs. Clarke (left) stands on one of a pair of scales which is held down by Wardle and almost rests on the ground, while three lawyers in wigs and gowns (evidently Sir W. Grant, Gibbs, and Plomer) stand on the other (right) which General Clavering tries desperately to pull down. The beam is inscribed England expects every Man to do his Duty, and is supported on a mitre (see British Museum Satires No. 11227) worn by the Duke of York, who stands on William Adam's back, which is inscribed Rock of Adam ant. Adam, who lies prone, puffs a blast inscribed Gratuisously [sic] against Mrs. Clarke. Under his hand is an Anonymous Letter. Wardle, in civilian dress, holds out towards the Duke a paper headed [Ch]arges. Perceval, in his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown, leans towards the right scale, holding out two papers: 199 Majority and 82 Majority, another, 241 Majority, lies on the scale. Where this scale is attached to the beam there is a purse labelled Light Crown Pieces. The Duke wears regimentals with gorget and star, and holds a paper: the Honor of a . . . [Prince]. He holds his drawn sword across Perceval, as if protecting him. Clavering sits on the ground, straining at the ropes. He sits on a paper inscribed [G]enl Claver[ing], and has a paper: Prevaricating Evidence [see British Museum Satires No. 11247]. Beside him is a fragment of paper inscribed Sic donec. Beside the principal performers, and between Mrs. Clarke and the Duke, stands John Bull, a short fat 'cit', holding a large weight inscribed Vox Populi --Sterling. He says: If I dont throw in my weight, our dearest sweetest Love will get the worst of it after all. (Her scale, however, rests on the ground with Wardle's help only.) She turns to him, saying, O Mr Bull! Pray give a pull! At her feet are Letters [see British Museum Satires No. 11228, &c.]."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image. and Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 1809 by Walker, No. 7 Cornhill
Subject (Name):
Clarke, Mary Anne, 1776?-1852, Frederick Augustus, Prince, Duke of York and Albany, 1763-1827, Wardle, Gwyllym Lloyd, 1762?-1833, Grant, William, Sir, 1752-1832, Gibbs, Vicary, Sir, 1751-1820, Plumer, Thomas, Sir, 1753-1824, Clavering, Henry Mordaunt, Adam, William, 1751-1839, and Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812.
Subject (Topic):
Military officers, British, Mistresses, Lawyers, Miters, and Scales