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
_July 9, 1809._ _Hell Broke Loose, or the Devil to Pay among the
'Darling Angels.'_ Published by T. Tegg.--The dark fiend is standing at
the gates of the infernal regions, scourge in hand; he is dressed in
the wig and robes of a judge, and poised on a slab, setting forth the
well-recognised axiom: _Two of a trade can never agree_. The diabolical
personage is holding the balance between the two principal actors in
the late proceedings. It will be remembered that a misunderstanding
occurred between the chief conspirators. Soon after the conclusion of
the investigation in the House of Commons, Colonel Wardle and Mrs.
Clarke began to exchange mutual recriminations, and the public were
gratified with fresh scandalous revelations; the champion of impartial
justice began to lose his strangely-earned popularity. Colonel
Wardle is plunged into the scale of _Patriotism_, with an infernal
imp to weigh him down; the gold box, in which the freedoms of more
than one town were offered to the enemy of corruption, and the York
_impeachment papers_ are thrown into the scale to make weight. Mrs.
Clarke is balanced against her late coadjutor in the scale of _Virtue_.
'Love-letters, Mr. Wright's bill, Doctor Donovan's bill,' &c., are
added to weigh against the Colonel's testimonials.
_July, 1809._ _The Tables are Turned. How are the Mighty Fallen!_--The
public were treated with the spectacle of the patriotic champion sued
in a law court for the furniture of Mrs. Clarke's house at Westbourne
Place, which had been taken on his guarantee and recommendation. The
Court gave judgment against the crestfallen Colonel, who had denied
his liability, and he was adjudged to pay the heavy expenses incurred
in the new establishment and the incidental costs of the process. In
Rowlandson's view of the situation Mrs. Clarke is seen mounted on her
asinine ex-supporter; the head of the steed bears a face suggestively
resembling the countenance of the patriot; a 'Turkey carpet' furnishes
a saddle; the motto _England expects every man to do his duty_ is
written on the bridle; 'Wright, the upholsterer's bill' is tied to
the animal's tail; the lady is whipping up her reluctant supporter
with a birch labelled 'Private promises.' The ass is scattering the
chairs, tables, mirrors, fenders, and other objects particularised on
'the bill' which gave the Colonel so much irritation; the flattering
presentations, addresses, gold boxes, 'Thanks to my ass,' 'Lies against
the Duke of York,' 'Thanks to a Welch Billy Goat,' 'From the City of
London,' 'Thanks and freedom in a gold box,' and other complimentary
testimonials, are scattered on the ground. The dashing rider is making
an exhibition of her skilful management of the donkey tribe:--
I've a fine stud of Asses as ever was seen;
This is one of the number from Westbourne Green.
Gee up, Neddy, come up, Neddy, &c.,
What do you think of my Neddy and me?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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