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
_September 24, 1809._ _General Cheathem's marvellous Return from his
Exhibition of Fireworks._ Published by T. Tegg (108).--The General
is returning from the abortive Walcheren Expedition, mounted on a
flying wooden horse, which, like Don Quixote's and other enchanted
steeds, is performing wonders in the way of discharging rockets; on one
side of the General swings a fleet of ships, 'Wooden castles in the
air,' balanced by such empty bladders as the 'Walcheren Expedition,'
'Bereland, plan and fortifications of Flushing,' &c. The glorious
General has taken a pair of Dutch dolls captive, and these are the
chief trophies of his adventure. 'Here I am, my dear Johnny, escaped
from fire, water, plague, pestilence, and famine; my fireworks have
given general satisfaction abroad. I must now couch on a "bed of
roses," and hope when I awake to be rewarded with a pension and dukedom
for brilliant services.' Mr. Bull and his lady are standing on their
own shores, deeply impressed with the General's manoeuvres. Cries
Mrs. Bull, 'Lord, what a man of mettle he is!' John Bull is grasping
his thick stick in a way that looks menacing: 'General Cheathem flying
back, as I foretold, garnished out with drops and Dutch metal. Where
is the ten million of British bullion, you scarecrow? The Sinking Fund
suits your talents better than sinking of ships.' Commodore Curtis,
in his yacht, is sailing away from the 'mortality at Flushing,'
and shouting in great glee: 'A new contract for mouldy biscuits.
Expeditions for ever. Huzza!'
1809. _A Plan for a General Reform._ Published by T. Tegg.
_September 27, 1809._ _This is the House that Jack Built._ (_Old
Price Row at Drury Lane._) Published by T. Tegg.--This cartoon, in
six compartments, is aimed at Kemble's new house, which, from certain
arrangements of the boxes, and other innovations, became the cause of
considerable turbulence--
These are the Boxes let to the great
That visit the House that Jack built.
The curtain of the theatre bears the advertisement: 'Grand theatrical
Bagnio, fitted up in the Italian style;' 'Lodgings to let for
the season, or a single night;' 'Roomy pit for parsons, poets,
Presbyterians, Quakers, grumblers,' &c.; 'Boxes for the Cyprian corps,
with snug lobby to ditto;' 'Private accommodations for the Members of
both Houses of Parliament;' '_Boudoirs pour la Noblesse_;' 'Rabbit
hutches, seven shillings each;' 'Humbug gallery, _two shillings_;'
and, chief cause of dissatisfaction, 'Pigeon-holes for the swinish
multitude':--
These are the pigeon-holes over the Boxes,
Let to the great that visit the House that Jack built.
This is the Cat engaged to squall to the poor in the
pidgeon-holes over the Boxes, let to the great
that visit the House that Jack built.
Madame Catalini is endeavouring to sing; but the audience, armed with
rattles, post-horns, and other noisy instruments, are raising a regular
uproar:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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