"Alderman Wood, as a zany at a fair, stands on a platform outside a booth addressing a crowd of spectators, half length figures in the foreground forming the base of the design. He points with his right thumb to the Queen (left), who is ready to perform, dressed much as in British Museum Satires No. 14103 but more grotesquely. On the right are Brougham and Denman, as beefeaters, with the letters 'C R' on the breast, but with legal wig and bands; each has a trumpet; that of Denman, who blows it, has a banner 'Solicit you in General'. Wood has ass's ears, wears a fool's cap and red and yellow gown (see British Museum Satires No. 14122) over his suit, with big jack-boots. Under his arm is a bulky rolled document; he holds out a placard: 'Signora Diable Humbuggina now exhibiting with most astonishing Effect.' His words are etched on a big tricolour placard above his head: 'Now then Ladies and Gemmen, here ye has Signora Diable Humbuggina, the most wonderfullest conjuress that ever vas seed at home or abroad. The most perfect Amphibrous Nondescript Hannimal that was ever seed before or behind. She has exhibited her Genus to all the crowned Potentaties, and all the principalest Men in all Europe including the Day of Alljeers [Tunis, see British Museum Satires No. 12810] von o' the best Judges in this here Universe. This here living vonder o' the vorld can conjure dunghill grubs and Knights of all sorts [see British Museum Satires No. 13810], ride a Donkey [see British Museum Satires No. 14015] a Zebra [see British Museum Satires No. 14110] and her high-horse at von and the same time. Sleep 40 days & nights under the same Tent vith a man, and never be wicious [see British Museum Satires No. 13818]. She can play with all the grace that ever vas, Columbine, Automaton [see British Museum Satires No. 14120, &c.] Pilgrim [see British Museum Satires No. 14121], or Dragon, and swallow all sorts of Spirity liquors by the Gallon and never be the Vorserer [see British Museum Satires No. 14175]--. So now is the time before this most surprisingest exhibition closes. Blow the trumpet Denny--Valk up Ladies and Gemmen-- Vy dont you blow Broom?' The Queen, very décolletée, with an over-dress displaying frilled and spotted drawers or trousers, wears a barn-stormer's crown with towering peacocks' feathers. At her feet is a notice: 'Juggling taught in all its branches'. At the feet of the beefeaters: 'Books of the travels of this wonderfull Phenomenon to be had within'. Their booth is garlanded with fairy lights and surmounted by a cap of Liberty. In the background on left and right are other attractions of the fair. A beefeater with 'G.R' on his breast blows his trumpet outside a booth flying a Union Jack, and inscribed 'Here's your Works. All from Nature. No connexion with the Jugglers.' Outside it are pictorial placards, all of animals with human heads: an ass with the head of Lieut. Hownam, a creature with the head of Bergami, and an ape with the head of Wood as in British Museum Satires No. 14131. Visitors crowd towards it. Before it is a woman in a swing. On the right are two tents, one inscribed 'Good Strong Caroline Brandy', the other flying a tricolour flag inscribed 'Ale and strong liquors'. In the centre foreground stands John Bull, pointing up at the Queen, and addressing the gaping and amused spectators around him. He is a plump respectable countryman, his words engraved below the title: 'Why dang-it I tell ye that ere business be all Impositioning like--Do na g'in, I mysel war taken in tother day; but blow my wig if I ha any more to do wi that shew like.--do na g'in, It be all my eye [cf. British Museum Satires No. 14180] and Betty-Martin or my neame beant John Bull.--'"--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Mat Pudding and his mountebank
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Theodore Lane in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Mounted on page 45 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Pubd. by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James's St., London
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, Wood, Matthew, Sir, 1768-1843, Brougham and Vaux, Henry Brougham, Baron, 1778-1868, Denman, Thomas Denman, Baron, 1779-1854, and Bergami, Bartolomeo Bergami, Baron
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Circus performers, Circuses & shows, Stages (Platforms)., Spectators, Honor guards, Trumpets, Banners, Fools' caps, Boots, Documents, Signs (Notices), Crowns, Feathers, Liberty cap, Donkeys, Swings, Show tents, and Flags
Title from item., Date from copy in Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number S.252-2018., Sheet trimmed., This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Mountebanks.
Publisher:
chez Le Bas graveur du Roy, au bas de la rue de la Harpe vis à vis la rue Percée chez un Fayancier
Subject (Geographic):
Venice (Italy).
Subject (Topic):
Fairs, Quacks and quackery, Spectators, Puppet shows, Stages (Platforms)., Quacks & quackery, and Patent medicines
Title from item., Place of publication from item., Date from copy in Wellcome Collection. Wellcome Library no. 811674i., This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Mountebanks.
Publisher:
chez Vidal Graveur, rue de la Harpe, au coin de celle Poupee, No. 181
Subject (Topic):
Quacks and quackery, Medicine shows, City & town life, Spectators, Stages (Platforms)., Quacks & quackery, Dogs, Anchors, Stores & shops, Horses, and Patent medicines
Title supplied by curator., Date derived from printmaker's dates of activity., Place of publication derived from language of text., Sheet trimmed., This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Mountebanks.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Topic):
Blackface, Quacks and quackery, Medicine shows, Stages (Platforms)., Spectators, Country life, Horses, and Donkeys
Title supplied by curator., Date derived from printmaker's dates of activity., Place of publication derived from language of text., This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Mountebanks.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Topic):
Blackface, Quacks and quackery, Medicine shows, Stages (Platforms)., Spectators, Country life, Horses, and Donkeys
Title and date from item., Published: The Illustrated London News, 4 September 1886., Illustration for "The World Went Very Well Then" by Walter Besant., This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Mountebanks.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Quacks and quackery.
Subject (Topic):
Medicine shows, Spectators, Patent medicines, Clowns, Stages (Platforms)., Horses, Mortars & pestles, and Musicians
Title supplied by curator., Date and place of publication derived from style of print., This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Mountebanks.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Topic):
Quacks and quackery, Children, Country life, Sheep, Spectators, Medicine shows, Peddlers, and Stages (Platforms).
Title supplied by curator., Date and place of publication supplied by curator., This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Mountebanks.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Topic):
Quacks and quackery, Teeth, Extraction, Medicine shows, Stages (Platforms)., Spectators, Dentistry, Clowns, Patent medicines, Ladders, and Snakes
