An oversized John Bull with a carbuncled-faced sits at a round table across from a very young looking William Betty and his father, both handsome and not caricatured. John Bull toasts the two, full wine glass in hand: "Youngster, heres to you I'm glad to see you in town. Old Master Roscius your health, and may you get such another boy every New Year's Day for the benifit [sic] of the English stage." Behind them pinned to the wall are two prints: the one a profile portrait of Mrs. Siddons, hangs from one corner only, and the other a portrait of J.P. Kemble. The three ostrich feathers on the back of Master Betty's chair may indicate the patronage of the Prince of Wales
Description:
Title etched below image., Printseller's stamp in lower right corner: S.W.F., and Description from British Museum catalogue of "Young Roscius and Don John" mounted on verso.
Publisher:
Pubd January 4, 1805, by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Betty, William Hen. West 1791-1874. (William Henry West),, Siddons, Sarah, 1755-1831, and Kemble, John Philip, 1757-1823
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Theater, Actors, British, and Child actors
