A night scene under the Piazza of Covent Garden, the center of which is seen through the arch of the arcade. A couple hurry arm-in-arm through a doorway (right) over which is Haddocks (a bagnio). The woman is the Duchess of Devonshire, shown with a bare breast and holding a lantern. She tells the prim young man "Vote for whom you please but kiss before you poll." He answers, "Tis too much neighbor! I could not go through with it." On the left behind the couple is Mrs. Hobart who holds her lantern to see an old Chelsea pensioner and a negro supported on stumps and crutches. She says to them, "D-m the Duchess, she got all the young voters."
Alternative Title:
Dark lantern business, or, Mrs. Hob and Nob on a night canvass with a bosom friend and Mrs. Hob and Nob on a night canvass with a bosom friend
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed partially within plate mark., and Mounted to 29 x 38 cm.
Publisher:
Pub. April 24th, 1784, by H. Humphrey, Bond Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, Buckinghamshire, Albinia Hobart, Countess of, 1738-1816, and Covent Garden (London, England)
Subject (Topic):
Brothels, Lanterns, Lighting, People with disabilities, Political elections, and Prostitutes
"Two designs, side by side, each with a second title in the upper border: [1] 'Scene, in the Island of Jersey.' Wellington, in uniform, sits on a sofa beside Lady Jersey, addressing her, hand on heart: 'And will your Ladyship ever remain cruel, & insensible to emotions which You alone can excite?' She holds a cross attached to a rosary, and looks at him over her shoulder, aloof, but coyly persuasive: 'Oh you flatterer! Every body knows your devotion to Woods & Forests: therefor don't talk to me of Love, false man! my heart bleeds only for my persecuted friends of the true Church in Ireland. You are the only man in Christendom who is able to emancipate them. Grant me this favor, dearest! most illustrious hero and then perhaps--I could - - - -'. She wears a large hat of puffed-out silk over short ringlets; her dress has huge gigot sleeves. [2] 'Scene in the Duchy of Lancaster.' Mrs. Arbuthnot, pretty, décolletée, and jewelled, sits on a sofa with her back to the door, her right hand on her heart. Wellington, cloaked, booted, and spurred, stands in the doorway. She: 'Was that his knock? or is the false man a Jesuit in Love too?--Oh no although he spends his mornings in her boudoir--he loves her not--she cannot touch his cold heart--she too cares not for him but to serve her politics--& for that she assails his vanit--his weak side, on which I first attacked him--yes! his vanity! his passions!--these are the points for me to work at!--heart he has none.' The 'PP' of the signature points to an inscription in the upper margin: 'I'm sorry to intrude, but some dirty Rogue--has lately been copying my Caricatuers--robbing us of our Ideas & Just profit--may I ask of my Friends not to purchase unless they see the Publisher T McLeans name at the Bottom all others are Copies--P Pry.' (Cf. BM Satires No. 15933.)"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from caption below images., Print signed using William Heath's device: A man with an umbrella., Approximate date of publication from British Museum catalogue., Design consists of two images side by side, each individually titled., Text above image entitled Morning: Scene in the island of Jersey., Text above image entitled Nigth [sic]: Scene in the Duchy of Lancaster., The man with an umbrella in the signature points to an inscription in the upper margin: I'm sorry to intrude, but some dirty rogue has lately been copying my caricatuers, robbing us of our ideas & just profit. May I ask of my friends not to purchase unless they see the publisher T. McLeans name at the bottom, all others are copies. P. Pry., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on three edges., and Numbered in ms. at top of sheet: 234.
Publisher:
Pub. by T. McLean, 26 Haymarket-caricatuers daily pub
Subject (Name):
Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852, Arbuthnot, Harriet, 1793-1834, and Jersey, Sarah Sophia, Countess.
Subject (Topic):
Candlesticks, Lighting, Military uniforms, and British
"An elaborate design. The Prince of Würtemberg, grotesquely corpulent, conducts his bride in the procession (right to left) towards the bridal chamber which is led by the King and Queen. George III, plainly dressed and wearing a hat, partly concealed by a pillar, hurries forward; in each hand is a candle-stick holding a guttering candle-end (cf. BMSat 8117). The Queen, covered with jewels and her face hidden by a poke-bonnet, carries a steaming bowl of 'Posset'. On the back of the Prince's coat are slung five ribbons from which dangle the jewels of orders; three garters encircle his leg; a star decorates the bag of his wig. The Princess gazes at him from behind her fan. Round her waist is the ribbon of an order, to which is attached a jewel containing a whole length miniature of her husband, which exaggerates his corpulence. Behind the Princess is a group of princes: the Prince of Wales, in regimentals, is fat and sulky. Prince William of Gloucester stands with splayed-out feet as in BMSat 8716. The Duke of Clarence (caricatured) puts a hand on the right arm of the Prince of Wales. Behind is the more handsome head of the Duke of York. These four heads are clever juxtapositions of variations on the family features. Behind them is the grotesque profile of the Stadholder with closed eyes. The sharp features of Lady Derby tower above the Stadholder. Next him is the Princess of Wales, not caricatured. Two princesses hold up their sister's train, and, behind, a sea of feathered headdresses recedes in perspective under a lighted chandelier. Salisbury (left), the Lord Chamberlain, standing stiffly in profile to the right, much caricatured, with wand and key as in BMSat 8649, holds open the door through which the King is about to pass. Pitt, on the outskirts of the procession, carries a sack inscribed '£80,000' (the amount of the Princess's dowry). On the wall is a large picture, inscribed 'Le Triomphe de l'Amour', of an elephant with a little cupid sitting on his neck blowing a trumpet."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Marriages: Prince of Würtemberg to Princess Charlotte Augusta, May 17, 1797 -- Beverages: posset -- Furnishings: carpets -- Pictures amplifying subject: a cupid riding an elephant -- Male dress: court dress., and Mounted to 31 x 46 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 18th, 1797, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James Street
Subject (Name):
Frederick I, King of Württemberg, 1754-1816, Charlotte, Queen, Consort of Frederick I, King of Württemberg, 1766-1828, George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, William IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837, Frederick Augustus, Prince, Duke of York and Albany, 1763-1827, William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, 1776-1834, William V, Prince of Orange, 1748-1806, Salisbury, James Cecil, Marquess of, 1748-1823, Derby, Elizabeth Farren Stanley, Countess of, 1759 or 62-1829, Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, and Pitt, William, 1759-1806