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1. O' the roast beef of old England &c. [graphic]
- Published / Created:
- [not before 1766]
- Call Number:
- Hogarth 766.00.00.03+ Box 200
- Image Count:
- 1
- Resource Type:
- still image
- Abstract:
- Engraving of William Hogarth’s 1748 painting ‘O the Roast Beef of Old England’ (London, Tate Britain), which he had himself published as a print. The scene is set at the Gate of Calais (after the painting in the Tate Gallery) with a fat monk prodding a large sirloin of beef carried by a cook, on either side are two French soldiers, one of whom spills his bowl of thin soup as he gazes in amazement at the beef; on the left, three market women with crosses hanging from their necks admire a skate in a basket of fish; on the right, two ragged men carry a large pot of soup while another drinks from a bowl, and a Scottish soldier cowers beneath an archway; in the middle distance, to left, Hogarth himself is seen sketching at the moment when a soldier’s hand takes him by the shoulder; beyond, through the gate, is a religious procession
- Alternative Title:
- Gate of Calais
- Description:
- Title engraved below image., Date of publication based on publisher's street address; Sayer's premises in Fleet Street were not numbered until ca. 1766. See British Museum online catalogue., Text of Theodosius Forrest’s cantata 'The Roast Beef of Old England' printed in letterpress beneath image in two columns., Cf. Paulson, R. Hogarth's graphic works (3rd ed.), no. 180., and Watermark.
- Publisher:
- Printed for Robt. Sayer, No. 53 Fleet Street
- Subject (Geographic):
- England
- Subject (Name):
- Hogarth, William, 1697-1764.
- Subject (Topic):
- Foreign public opinion, French, Artists, Clergy, Eating & drinking, Ethnic stereotypes, and Religious processions
- Found in:
- Lewis Walpole Library > O' the roast beef of old England &c. [graphic]
2. The beaux nurses, or, The modern cramers acted at the French Theatre in the Haymarket Novr. [the] 14th. [graphic]
- Published / Created:
- [not before 1749]
- Call Number:
- 749.00.00.50
- Image Count:
- 1
- Resource Type:
- still image
- Abstract:
- An allegorical representation of the nationalistic riot occasioned by a troupe of French comedians in London. This satirical print refers to the controversy and protest surrounding a French theatrical company, nicknamed the 'French Strollers', who applied for and were granted a licence to perform at the Haymarket in the winter of 1749. Their arrival occasioned much discontent; as the Scots Magazine reported, they were 'bitterly pelted in the news-papers'. Asserting their right to perform, they persisted in a show on 14 November, but were met by an audience intent on sabotage. An eyewitness account of the incident appeared in the Monthly Review some years later (July 1761): 'People went early to the Theatre, as a crouded House was certain ... I soon perceived that we were visited by two Westminster Justices, Deveil and Manning. The Leaders, that had the conduct of the Opposition, were known to be there; one of whom called aloud for the song in praise of English roast beef, which was accordingly sung in the gallery, by a person prepared for that purpose; and the whole house besides joining in the chorus, saluted the close with three huzzas! This, Justice Deveil was pleased to say, was a riot'. Despite the Justice's assertions that the play was licensed by the King's command, the crowd had come prepared to produce disruption. They were equipped with instruments which they played discordantly as an accompaniment to their jeers, catcalls, and Francophobic songs: 'as an attempt at speaking was ridiculous, the Actors retired, and opened instead with a grand dance of twelve men and twelve women; but even that was prepared for, and they were directly saluted with a bushel or two of peas, which made their capering very unsafe'. Unable even to dance, and following another abortive attempt by the magistrates to assert the King's authority, the curtain fell for the final time. The eyewitness evidently relished the outcome, venturing 'that at no battle gained over the French, by the immortal Marlborough, the shoutings could be more joyous than on this occasion'. The print embodies similar sentiments; the French strollers attack British theatrical establishment--represented by an affronted Britannia--who stands between them and British theatre-goers. In the foreground stands a perplexed Othello, lamenting the loss of his occupation, and an injured man a man lies on the floor 'Almost kill'd for not understanding French'.
- Alternative Title:
- Modern cramers
- Description:
- Title etched below image., Date of publication based on date of the depicted event., and Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.
- Publisher:
- publisher not identified
- Subject (Geographic):
- Great Britain, England, and London.
- Subject (Topic):
- Britannia (Symbolic character), Foreign public opinion, French, Theater, Actors, Actresses, Fighting, and Riots
- Found in:
- Lewis Walpole Library > The beaux nurses, or, The modern cramers acted at the French Theatre in the Haymarket Novr. [the] 14th. [graphic]
