"A paunchy and bespectacled clergyman standing at left, reading nearsightedly from a paper on which are seen the words 'Petitioner will ever Pray', to a veteran soldier with a wooden left leg standing indignantly at right, who waves a stick in his right hand at the parson, and holds his tricorne in his left; their speech is above their heads. The clergyman: 'Well friend Cartridge. I have drawn up your petition, mentioned wounds, long service &c &c - concluding as usual, "And your petitioner will ever pray!' The soldier: 'Will ever pray! - that may do very well for a parson, - but d-d bad coming from an Old Soldier! - No - Ill have it inserted, "And your Petitioner" will ever fight!'"--British Museum catalogue
Alternative Title:
Vetrans petition and Veteran's petition
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.
Publisher:
Publish'd Septr. 16th 1800, by R. Ackermann, No. 101 Strand
Subject (Topic):
Clergy, Peg legs, Petitions, Veterans, and British
"A composite figure with two heads, one that of Lord Howe, the other that of George III, stands between two groups of naval officers; both heads are in profile. The King turns to the right, taking a petition from a kneeling officer with a wooden leg and saying "I never interfere with your first Lord no never". Five officers standing behind this petitioner say (left to right): "I see I shall lose my Rank after all my long Services"; "I am set aside altho' I've lost a Son & one Eye"; "Humbugd by Jove by [the] old Jesuit"; "Had I my Arm again Fd find a better Country"; "Brothers, Our Lords & Commons will not suffer this Game". The last speaker has one leg and stands with a crutch. Howe, scowling with downcast head, says, "Go, go, I can do nothing. It is his Majesty's pleasure, that------" An officer steps forward holding out a petition, he says, "Rascall". Four others standing behind the petitioner say (left to right): "He's fond of Manoeuvres if ever so bad, you know him"; "The King's pleasure! That's a Falsity added to a mean Finesse"; "Our Navy has now two Heads & no Helm, rare Work"; "Vultus est Index Animi".--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., The last number of the year in the imprint statement has been engraved over with another number. The British Museum online catalogue suggests that a '6' was amended to a '7'., and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Publisher:
Published by G. Humphrey, 48 Long Acre
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820 and Howe, Richard Howe, Earl, 1726-1799
