Rowlandson the Caricaturist; a Selection from His Works. Vol. 2 by Joseph Grego

by T. Rowlandson, 1 James Street, Adelphi. According to the original drawing (see Appendix, collection of John West, Esq.) it appears, from a paper spread before the desperate gambler, that he has been tempted to give the _coup de grâce_ to his reckless career by committing a forgery. [Illustration: THE GAMESTER GOING TO BED.] _August 20, 1811._ _Love Laughs at Locksmiths._ Designed and published by T. Rowlandson, 1 James Street, Adelphi.--The stronghold in which an old Israelite has confined his treasure has enormous padlocks on the area gate and the door studded with nails. The proprietor has returned with provisions for a merry-making; a porter bearing on his head a basket containing geese, fowls, fish, and fruit, with a flask of wine in his hand. The old curmudgeon's crutch is leaning against the door, and he is fumbling over the immense padlock, quite unconscious that a smart young officer, who has placed a ladder against the window of his lovely inamorata's apartment, is helping the captive bird to freedom from the clutches of her jealous jailer. _August 30, 1811._ _Masquerading._ Published by T. Tegg.--The comicalities of a masquerade at the beginning of the century, when this class of entertainment, although declining since the palmy days of the Pantheon and Madame Cornely's extravagances in Soho Square, was more prevalent than at present, are set forth with due observation of the leading characteristics. Prominent among the maskers is a lady-magician, with her divining-wand and a book of the 'black art,' confronting a nondescript necromancer and his zany. There is a nobleman wearing horns as a becoming decoration for his head; and our old friend Punchinello, with a guitar, putting himself into grotesque contortions. There is a composite personage, a kind of _Janus_, an established feature in old _bal masqués_, one side male and the other female. There is a Folly, a councillor, and the usual attendance of dominos, masquers, and characters, whose disguises are of a speculative description. [Illustration: MASQUERADING.] _September, 1811._ _Accommodation Ladder._ Published by T. Tegg (85).--At the feet of a gigantic and finely-built wench is a rotund yet diminutive Admiral, with cocked-hat, telescope, sword, and all complete; his broad riband is marked _Death or Victory_. For his accommodation, that he may be able to reach her countenance within hailing distance, the lady, who is more than twice the height of her admirer, is holding a ladder ready for his ascent. The belle wears a gallant plume, and a streamer with the motto _England expects every man to do his duty_. _September 12, 1811._ _Sorrow's Dry, or a Cure for the Heartache._ _September 20, 1811._ _Looking at the Comet till you get a crick in the neck._ Published by T. Tegg (91).--A slipshod, lean old anatomy, in dressing-gown and slippers, is straining his ancient crooked neck staring at a comet through a spyglass. A comely young female, seated in an armchair at the window, is pointing out the phenomenon to the gazer; meanwhile a youthful gallant, on his knees beside the lady, is squeezing her hand, tenderly pressing her foot, and otherwise striving to enlist her interest by a demonstrative display of affection. _September 25, 1811._ _Life and Death of the Race Horse._ Published by T. Tegg (90).--This print is divided into six stages. The first represents the foal by the side of his dam; in the second he is pictured as a racer on the course in all the pride of strength and beauty, blood and limb. In the third stage he has come down to a hunter; from thence, with old age fast approaching, he is used to run in a postchaise. In the fifth plate we find the whilom racehorse grown aged and broken down, and condemned to end his wretched days belaboured as a pack-horse. In the last stage the racehorse's career is brought down to his death, and a huntsman has purchased his carcass to feed his pack. _September 29, 1811._ _Rural Sports. A Milling Match which took place at Thisselton Gap, in the county of Rutland, September 28, 1811, betwixt Cribb and Molineaux, on a twenty-five foot stage, and was the second public contest between these two pugilists. It lasted nineteen minutes and ten seconds, and was decisive in favour of Cribb._ Rowlandson del. Published by T. Tegg.--The point from which the picture is taken affords a good view of the combat, which is about concluded. Cribb, a massively-built boxer, is dealing the black champion such a felling blow as, judging from the dismay expressed in the faces of the two supporters of Molineaux, one of whom is also a man of colour, will leave the victory in the hands of the striker, whose backer and bottle-holder are in raptures. Round the raised platform which constitutes the ring is gathered a very animated throng, amidst which the artist has depicted the various popular incidents of pushing, struggling, climbing on shoulders, quarrelling, picking pockets, cheering, and resenting the encroachments of men on horseback. A prize-fight would seem to have been an institution in fashion at the beginning of the century; the streams of vehicles, coaches, tandems, curricles, and every contrivance 'on wheels' which surround the stage and line the background give the scene the appearance of a Derby course. The presence of the fair sex, who seem to appreciate the performance, keeps up the animation of the picture. _October 1, 1811._ _Rural Sports. Smock Racing._ Published by T. Tegg. [Illustration: RURAL SPORTS. SMOCK RACING.] _October 2, 1811._ _John Bull at the Italian Opera._ Republished. (See Oct. 2, 1805.) Designed and published by T. Rowlandson, 1 James Street, Adelphi. _October, 1811._ _Rural Sports, or a Game at Quoits._--A village green, with an alehouse in the rear, is the scene of this diversion. Various loving couples are disporting themselves on benches and at round-tables by the alehouse door. The village cobblers, blacksmiths, tailors, butchers, &c., are neglecting their trades to follow the game; their injured wives have come to reduce the careless husbands to a proper sense of their duties. One shrewish spouse, leaning over the paling, is flourishing a broom with a force of arms that threatens to astonish her good man, whose attention is occupied in the game. Over the head of the victim is a board, _Washing and mangling done here_. Various convivial groups are scattered around. _October, 1811._ _Rural Sports, or how to show off a well-shaped Leg_, introduces a rustic pleasure-ground. A rope thrown between two tall trees furnishes a swing for a well-developed and gaily apparelled hoyden; another maiden is working the rope which swings her friend; the attractions of the second lady have absorbed a young gentleman, whose attentions to the fair rope-puller are 'particular.' A group of wicked old roysterers are delighted with the prospect of the swinging hoyden--their pipes and bowls are neglected in their rapturous attention to the evolutions of the fair occupant of the swing, and their indignant wives are vainly endeavouring to recall them to a sense of propriety.