The birth day hoax, or, April fools [graphic].

"A wild turmoil of men and women in court dress or uniform outside Buckingham House, which is indicated in the background, with a covered way or awning leading to the doorway from the right. Two beefeaters stand before the door and above the crowd, holding up their arms and yelling: Keep back, Keep back Put off postponed till the first of next April. Prominent figures in the foreground are (right), a field-marshal (? Prince Leopold) with a hussar officer (? Prince Esterházy). The former steps on and tears the train of a lady who looks round in angry dismay. She and an absurdly dandified Lancer officer are the central figures in the foreground. Women and men are prostrate, and there are many incidents. A barrister with (?) Brougham's profile drives his elbow savagely into the face of a bishop. Plumed shakoes, helmets, and cocked hats tower above the crowd. An arm holds up a lady's feathered wig and curls on the point of a sword. Complaints are inscribed along the upper margin: [1] Have I not borrowed the Duchess's last Birth Day suit & had it transmogrified to prevent its being known again, at the expence of 1.13.9 & and only to be hustled. [2] ever since four Oclock this morning, under two men & three maids suffering purgatory to be made an April Fool of. [3] I never looked so bewitching in all my life. [4] What a cut. [5] have I been up all night, Dressing, perfuming, painting, & plastering to be served thus. [6] What after hiring all these dashing Diamonds & Jewels at such an extravagant price & not to be suffered to shew them insulting, provoking. [7] was to have been Presented now I suppose shall be Represented [? caricatured]. The last speaker is a fat lady who tugs at a man's bag-wig"--British Museum onling catalogue