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

Rowlandson's characteristic manner the scene is somewhat suggestive of Hogarth's plate of 'Morning,' 'Times of the Day,' in which the portrait of Miss Bridget Allworthy is exhibited, the introduction of whose burlesqued resemblance is said to have cost the painter the loss of a legacy. An old maid whose countenance certainly bears a close resemblance to that of a cat, is shuffling along in the breeze on pattens; she has a boa and an enormous muff; before her trots a French poodle, clipped fantastically to resemble a parody of a lion; behind her shivers a black page, in a tight gaudy uniform; under his arm is his mistress's umbrella, and he holds before him a bundle of cat's meat. A half-naked and ruffianly beggar is trying to excite the benevolence of this shrewish _Cat in Pattens_. * * * * * PETTICOAT LOOSE. _A FRAGMENTARY TALE OF THE CASTLE._ WITH FOUR PLATES ETCHED BY ROWLANDSON. London: J. J. Stockdale, 41 Pall Mall, Feb. 12, 1812. 4to. The argument upon which the story is founded is set forth in the following 'advertisement':-- _'Dublin Castle. The Adventure of the Under Petticoat at the Castle Drawing Room. "Honi soit qui mal y pense."_ All the world has been amused with the singular disaster that befel a lady on Thursday night last at the _Viceregal Palace_, by the loss of her under petticoat, which, from the pressure of the crowd, unfortunately slipped down through the capacious encumbrance of her hoop, and was soon trampled on the floor--though likely to become as renowned as Penelope's web: for the lady to whom it belonged lost by night the comfort and protection that was her security by day. One of the young pages (who are always peeping and bustling on such occasions) first made the discovery. The trophy was soon displayed in order to find out the fair owner; which, however, still remains a secret, except to the person immediately concerned. But, like the shield of Achilles, the little petticoat soon became the subject of admiration and contention. 'At the first impression the master of the ceremonies claimed the prize, as his official perquisite, alleging it was dropped in the _Presence Chamber_. But the Chamberlain insisted the drawing-room was his _champ d'or_, and every windfall on such occasions his exclusive property. That as a true knight he must take up the gauntlet thus thrown down by a lady. 'The household troops, particularly the young _aides-de-camp_, struggled through the crowd to see the cause of such bustle; and having satisfied their curiosity, whispered one another, and, in their usual way, set up a great titter. The chaplain in waiting had his eye upon the petticoat, and said he thought in decorum it ought to be deposited among the _new antiquities_ in Bedford Chapel. 'The Duke, with his usual good humour, liberality, and regard for the fair creation, decided the contest by saying that it should be suspended as a banner round the temple of love and beauty; and that as Edward the Third constituted the Order of the Garter from a similar accident at the British Court, he would solicit the Prince Regent, in the true spirit of chivalry, to establish and become _Sovereign of the Order of the Petticoat_ in Ireland, in commemoration of the pleasant adventure,' &c. Plate 1. _Capture of the Petticoat._ February 12, 1812. Plate 2. _Breakfast Room at an Inn._ February 12, 1812. Plate 3. _College Green before the Union._ February 12, 1812.--A scene of state, bustle, and prosperity. Plate 4. _College Green after the Union._ February 12, 1812.--Shabbiness, poverty, and beggary have sole possession of the scene. * * * * * VIEWS IN CORNWALL. _April 10, 1812._ _View of a Farm House at Hengar, Cornwall._ Published by T. Rowlandson. _April 12, 1812._ _Cottage at the Foot of Router Mountain, Cornwall._ Published by T. Rowlandson. [Illustration: COTTAGE AT THE FOOT OF ROUTER MOUNTAIN, CORNWALL.]