Rowlandson the Caricaturist; a Selection from His Works. Vol. 2Grego, Joseph
History
Rowlandson the Caricaturist; a Selection from His Works. Vol. 2
Grego, Joseph
English wit and humor, Pictorial; Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827
_March 4, 1809._ _Chelsea Parade, or a Croaking Member Surveying the
Inside, Outside, and Backside of Mrs. Clarke's Premises._ Published
by T. Tegg.--The front door of Mrs. Clarke's establishment, 'Warren
Street.' The door is inscribed, 'Knock, and you shall enter.' A
notice-board, hung out sign-fashion, bears the quotation: 'All the
world's a stage, and men and women merely players. Some play the
upper, some the under part, but chief play that most foreign to their
heart.' Colonel Wardle, wrapped in his military cloak, and indicating
discretion, with his finger on his lips, is handing a bag of money to
a waiting-maid and saying, 'You understand me,' to which the favourite
is replying with an assurance 'that the Colonel's business shall be
attended to.' Mrs. Clarke, leaning out of window, is overlooking her
visitor and crying, 'Though not in love, enter quick, my guardian
angel, my sweet Widdle-Waddle.' Mr. Croker, ensconced in 'Prospect
Place,' opposite, as the 'croaking member,' spyglass in hand, is
surveying the position of affairs from an attic marked, 'Peeping Tom's
Observatory;' he is exclaiming, 'Oh, the devil choke her! he's Waddling
in, as I'm a prying Croaker.' A discomfited group of ex-favourites
are hurrying off as quickly as possible. The Duke of York, with mitre
and crozier, a cope worn over his uniform, and bearing a label on his
stole: 'Men have their entrances and their exits,' cries, 'To part
with my dear, and not allow four hundred a year.' His lawyer, Adam,
by his side, cries, 'Alas, alas! all flesh is grass--so said Adam,
my forefather;' and Doctor O'Meara, bringing up the rear, in great
tribulation, is moaning, 'O me, Leary! O me, Leary! who once made
Royalty melt into tears--am now become a sniveller.'
_March 5, 1809._ _The Road to Preferment--through Clarke's Passage._
Published by T. Tegg.--Mrs. Clarke, wearing a general's uniform above
her skirts, is standing at the entrance to a wide thoroughfare, marked
'Clarke's Passage.' There is a stampede to gain admission--officers,
dandies, old fogeys, parsons with money-bags, fathers and sons--the
halt and the lame, the gouty and disabled, are all flocking in crowds,
ready to pay for the accommodation,--but in vain. The arbitress of
promotions and easy advancements is declaring, 'Gentlemen, it is no
use to rush on in this manner; the principal places have been disposed
of these three weeks; and I assure you at present there is not even
standing room.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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