"Pitt (right), as a butcher, stands arrogantly behind his block, holding up a leg of mutton to a hungry, lean, and dismayed John Bull, who stands with bent knees (left), his right hand groping in his breeches pocket. Pitt says: "A Crown, - take it, or leave't". His cleaver lies on his blood-stained block, on the front of which are two placards side by side: 'Prices of Provision. 1795 Journeymans Wages - 1795 Mutton 10 1/2d £b. Carpenters 12sh pr Week Lamb 11 D° Shoemakers 10sh D° Veal 11 1/2 D° Bakers 9sh D° Beef 12 D° Gardeners 8sh D° Small Beer - 2d pr Quart Smiths 8sh D° Bread 12d Husbandmen 7sh D° pr Quarter Loaf God save the King'. Behind Pitt is the pent-house roof of the shop or stall from the front of which hang joints of meat and pieces of offal. The lower story of a house forms a background (left). John Bull wears the dress and wrinkled gaiters of a yokel. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Four lines of verse, titled Billy the Butcher's Advice to John Bull, etched on a separate plate that is printed below the plate with the image: Since bread is so dear, (and you say you must eat) ..., and Mounted to 46 x 31 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. July 6th, 1795, by H. Humphrey, No. 37 New Bond Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain, England, and London.
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Food prices, Butcher's shops, and Butchers
