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
_Spring._--A suitor, _Jerry Thimble, Tailor_, is kneeling at the feet
of a blooming fair one; both of the turtle-doves are in the prime of
life. 'Oh, you bewitching angel,' sues the tailor, 'behold at your feet
a swain as tender as a veal cutlet. You are the very broadcloth of
perfection; have pity on me, adorable Mrs. Griskin!' To which appeal
the melting and buxom widow responds: 'You enchanting devil, I do not
know what to say to you; however, Mr. Thimble, that mole between your
eyebrows puts me so much in mind of my poor dear departed husband that
I think I can't refuse you.'
_Summer._--The wedded pair are enjoying a suburban excursion. The
smartened tailor is smiling on his wife and declaring: 'O thou wert
born to please me, my life, my only dear!' The lady, who is advancing
in life, replies: 'Ay, now you look a little stylish; you are a
charming man. Who would not be married!'
_Autumn_ sets in more stormily; the lady, developing into a virago,
is accusing her husband of receiving letters of a tender nature; the
tailor, in reply, is making a counter-charge, relative to 'Mr. Dip, the
dyer, and gallivanting to White Conduit House.'
_Winter_ sees the late couple seated at either side of a lawyer's
table; the man of law is reading the articles of separation, to the
delight of the Thimbles. Mrs. Tabitha declares she never felt so
comfortable in all her life; and Jerry Thimble is exclaiming: 'O
blessed day! I hope to pass the next year in peace and quietness!'
_September 20, 1814._ _Joanna Southcott, the Prophetess,
Excommunicating the Bishops. 'Know I told thee I should begin at the
Sanctuary. I will cut them all off,' having already cut off four
Bishops for refusing to hear of my Visitation._ Published by T. Tegg
(341).--Rowlandson availed himself of the novel religious fever which
had its rise in the fictitious revelations of the so-called Prophetess,
Joanna Southcott, to ridicule both the believers in latter day miracles
and the members of the Establishment conjointly. One specimen of the
caricatures produced on this occasion will suffice. Joanna Southcott
and one of her champions are making a terrific charge on the flying
pillars of the Episcopacy. The Bishops are endeavouring to kick against
the onslaught, and, with mitre, wig, and crozier, are defying their
chastisers; but their courage is feeble, their ranks are breaking, and
they are running off discomfited to save themselves from the coming
wrath, without taking any heed of the overthrown. The Prophetess,
wearing her famous seal round her neck, and clad in _Elijah's mantle_,
is lustily wielding a birch rod; she has caught a fugitive Archbishop
by the foot, and he is vainly struggling to escape corporal correction.
The 'Third Book of Wonders' is open at her feet. Her exertions are
supported by a certain Rev. Roger Towzer, who is chastising the
disorganised heads of the Established Church with his _Flail_; certain
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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