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 14, 1809._ _More of the Clarke, or Fresh Accusations._ Published
by T. Tegg.--Colonel Wardle is exposed to the public in a humiliating
position; his former mob-popularity is reversed, and their admiration
is changed to ridicule. The scene is supposed to take place in front
of the mansion in Westbourne Place, before which is assembled a crowd
of jeering spectators. Mrs. Clarke, unabashed, as in the previous
disclosures, is frankly denouncing her ex-colleague, and pointing to
the luxurious fittings of her bedroom. She is unmasking the scandalised
champion to his late friends the mob: 'And Clarke said unto Felix, Thou
art the man;--behold the furniture! and Felix trembled.' The Colonel,
whose reputation did not improve as the innuendoes of his new opponents
became more daring, with clasped hands and his knees knocking together,
is servilely trying to reinstate his lost reputation: 'Good people of
the United Kingdom, suspend your judgment for the present, till I get
this woman placed in the pillory. I never did anything naughty no more
than the child unborn. It was all for the good of my country, I assure
you. I am as firm a patriot as ever purchased a convex mirror or a red
Turkey carpet.'
_July 16, 1809._ _The Plot Thickens, or Diamond Cut Diamond._ Published
by T. Tegg.--Mrs. Clarke is still in the thick of her complications.
She is standing, unmoved, in the centre of the picture. Colonel Wardle,
who soon fell out with his ally when pushed to fulfil her conditions,
is declaring for vengeance: 'I intend to commence an action against
her for obtaining money under false pretences in the case of French's
levy. I'll teach her to send gentlemen to Newgate.' Another individual,
dressed as a civilian, recommends: 'Leave her to me; I'll touch her
up in the furniture business!' Mrs. Clarke, with her hands on her
lips, is replying: 'I don't care a fig for any of you; and as to you,
Mr. Furnituremonger, I'll be beforehand with you.' A stout gentleman
behind the fair _intriguante_ cries, 'That's a good girl, follow him
up; I'll back you; I'll let him know whose _Wright_ and whose _Wrong_.
If I don't enter an action against him I'm no upholsterer.' A young
barrister, holding a voluminous brief, is smiling with satisfaction at
the prospect of litigation, and encouraging both sides: 'That's right,
my good friends; it's all for the _Best_!'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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