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

Rowlandson. _October, 1811._ _Rural Sports, or a Cricket Match Extraordinary._ Published by T. Tegg (96).--On Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1811, a cricket match took place at Balls Pond, Newington. The players on both sides were women--11 Hampshire against 11 Surrey. The match was made between two noblemen amateurs of the respective counties for 500 guineas a side. The performers in the contest were of all ages and sizes. Such a subject in the hands of Rowlandson afforded almost unbounded opportunities for the exercise of his grotesque talents and his command of figure-drawing. The scene is a busy one, as may be conceived; a certain artistic freedom has been assumed, and there is a liberal display of limbs in all directions, the skirts of the cricketers being tucked up for convenience of motion; the performers, however, seem to enter into the contest with spirit, if not skill. Balls Pond, as seen in the engraving, is a fair open country, without a trace of a solitary habitation. A spacious tent, in the background, is erected for the _Jolly Cricketers_, wherein the noble patrons of the sport are fortifying the players with huge bowls of punch, restoratives which do not appear to promote the most orderly proceedings. 1811 (?). _The Jockey Club, or Newmarket Meeting_ (111) (Betting Room). 1811 (?). _The Sagacious Buck, or Effects of Waterproof._ 1811 (?). _Richmond Hill._ After H. Bunbury. (See 1803.) 1811 (?). _French Inn._ ditto. 1811 (?). _Quaix de Paris._ ditto. 1811 (?). _A Country Club._ 1811 (?). _Recruits._ (See 1803.) 1811 (?). _Morning, or the Man of Taste._ After H. Bunbury. 1811 (?). _Evening, or the Man of Feeling._ ditto. 1811 (?). _Conversazione._ _October 11, 1811._ _Six Classes of that Noble and Intelligent Animal--a Horse._ The Race Horse. The Shooting Pony. The Gig Horse. The War Horse. The Hunter. The Draught Horse. _October 10, 1811._ _Distillers looking into their own business._ Published by T. Tegg.--The principal objects in the print are a still and a cask of double-rectified spirits, into which three members of the firm are involuntarily infusing foreign elements. _October, 1811._ _Dinners Dressed in the neatest manner._ Published by T. Tegg (112).--The preparations of the cook in question are not calculated to increase the appetite of the observant epicure; the _chef_ is hideous, old, rheumy, slovenly, and diseased; he is kneading the paste with his objectionable hands, his snuffbox is on the board by his side; while a blowsy and uncombed slattern is reaching down a pie-dish, in which the rats have been revelling; the bold depredators are scampering off no farther than the next dish. (Companion to _Distillers looking into their own business_.) _October 25, 1811._ _A Trip to Gretna Green._ Designed and published by T. Rowlandson, 1 James Street, Adelphi.--The scene of the situation is the green at Gretna, before the shed of _Tim Tag, 'Blacksmith and Rector.'_ The worthy is in his clerical character, decently clad in professional sables; and, with spectacles on nose, he is reading the service, in a somewhat extemporary fashion, over a fugitive couple, in the open air. A dashing captain, dressed in his regimentals, as was then the everyday fashion in the King's service, is placing a ring on the finger of a comely maiden of tender years, who is smiling and blushing. The postilion who has driven the runaway pair to this stolen match is standing, cap in hand, grinning at the ceremonial. While the blacksmith is rivetting the fetters of Hymen in his clerical character, his professional helpers are looking to the shoes of the horses which are to bear the newly-married couple across the Border. _October 25, 1811._ _Rural Sports. Balloon Hunting._ Published by T. Tegg (157).--The balloon is drifting before the wind beyond the control of the aeronaut; a fair voyager is making a terrific descent with a parachute in the midst of a flock of birds; from the top of a tall tower a gentleman is taking deliberate aim at the flying machine, probably with a view to bring it down by blowing a hole through the body of the balloon. In the foreground is shown the mishap of the balloon-hunters; a stout old gentleman is endeavouring to drag his vehicle up hill; his horse is shying and kicking; a dog is barking at the animal's head, the shafts are snapped, and the trap is kicked over; three fair riders are thrown out in picturesque confusion on the turf, and scattered with bottles and a bundle. _November 25, 1811._ _English Manner and French Prudence; or French Dragoons brought to a check by a Belvoir Leap. A Scene after Nature near Cuidad Rodrigo. September 1811._ Published by H. Humphrey, St. James's Street.--'Lord Charles Manners was a famous horseman, and unexpectedly one day came upon a French cavalry picket, who gave chase until a brook was reached, which Lord Charles immediately cleared, making a salute, and bidding the Frenchmen (who were so surprised as not to fire until too late), '_Adieu, messieurs!_' A paragraph from one of the London papers of the day makes the foregoing record of the exciting incident. This gallant exploit is treated pictorially by Rowlandson. Lord Charles Manners is taking the brook in an easy stride, his horse bearing him over 'like a bird,' while his ferocious-looking pursuers are brought to a full stop at the brink, and as the daring horseman is bidding farewell to the enemy they are nonplussed with astonishment at the reckless feat, which they have no ambition to follow. There is a disappointed knot of French officers, dragoons, huzzars, &c.; they are all uttering ejaculations of surprise and cursing the fugitive: _'Sacrebleu!' 'Mais comment, &c.'; 'Quel diable d'Anglois!' 'Est-il possible?'_ _December 2, 1811._ _A Man of Feeling for the Human Race._ Published by T. Tegg (126).--Represents the college rooms of a Master of Arts and a Fellow of decidedly convivial tendencies, whose predilections appear to be the reverse of ascetic. _December 9, 1811._ _Bel and the Dragon._ Published by Stockdale.--Doctor Bell, in wig, gown, cassock, and bands, is standing calmly before a very terrific pantomimic representation of a dragon. Before the Doctor--over whose head shines the glorious midday sun, figuratively set forth--is extended the buckler of _Religion_ held by the stalwart arm of the _Marsh Clergy of Monarchists_. Dr. Bell is pointing triumphantly to his school, a dignified pile, founded on a commanding eminence, marked _Church and State_. Behind 'the Dragon' is the rival establishment, _Lancaster's School under the Broad-brim System_, raised on _Deceit and Misrepresentation_. The Dragon's tongue, labelled _Falsehood_, is pouring forth smoke and flames, and his claws, _Hypocrisy_, _Vanity_, _Misrepresentation_, and _Calumny_, are extended to maul the reputation of the opposition champion. _December 15, 1811._ _A Milk-sop._ Published by T. Tegg (125).--A pretty milkmaid, with her yoke and cans, is passing the chambers of a gallant collegian at one of the Universities; the shameless undergraduate, in cap and gown, has waited his opportunity, and as the buxom wench is passing his open casement he is leaning out of window, throwing his arm round her buxom waist, and is indulging in a chaste salute, which is cordially received. A tutor, or proctor, dodging round 'the quad,' is horrified at the scandalous licence; a sturdy infant is carried in one of the pails, the other is filled with cream, and offers a rare opportunity for plunder, of which a passing dog is not slow to avail himself--raised on his hind legs he is lapping up the welcome fluid at his leisure.