"Men and women eating in the open air, at a table, some sitting, others standing. In the background are the tents of a camp; in the middle distance (right) eight men and women holding hands are dancing in a ring. A man of grotesque appearance, one eye covered with a circular patch, sits full-face, plying a knife and fork. Behind him stands Wilkes, who is chucking a pretty maid-servant under the chin so that she spills the wine which she has just poured out. This attracts the amused attention of a man standing behind Wilkes, and of one sitting at the table. The other figures are indicated only by their heads, which are perhaps portraits: there are two women of attractive appearance, one, whose high-dressed hair is decorated with feathers, the other with a hat trimmed with a cockade and feathers; a grotesque-looking old man with unkempt hair who is drinking wine; an old man with a grenadier's cap. A man seated on the bench shows only a wig and a broad back. On the bench is also a sucking-pig which a dog is seizing. On the ground are bottles, a pile of plates, and a brimming punch-bowl. Two cocks (right) are fighting. Beneath the title is engraved "Oh what a charming Thing is eating"."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item. and Ttrimmed within plate line on top and bottom.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Name):
Wilkes, John, 1725-1797
Subject (Topic):
Military camps, Eating & drinking, Cockfighting, and Dance
"A thin man wearing a coat with military facings, draws after him (right to left.) a small four-wheeled carriage, similar to a bath-chair or perambulator, inscribed Cox Heath. In it sits a child with a doll. A dog stands at her feet barking at the man who draws the carriage, who has a bundle strapped to his back, apparently containing hay. At the back of the carriage in the place of a footman stands a ragged dwarfish man. On the farther side of the carriage is a recruiting sergeant playing a fife. In the foreground (right) a fat woman, the wife of the man drawing the carriage, walks along carrying a basket containing bottles and a large umbrella in her right hand; a musket is tucked under her left arm. She and the three men all wear oak-leaves in their hats. In the distance the tents of the camp are indicated. An inscription beneath the title has been cut off. One of a number of satires on the militia and the camp of Coxheath, see BMSat 5523, &c."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Recruiting sergeant and contented mates
Description:
Title from item. and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Topic):
Military camps, Baby carriages, and Clothing & dress
