Depicts two bearded figures in classical attire (possibly Tragedy and Comedy), the former leaning on a tomb while the latter gestures laughingly at a cracked and broken globe on which the countries of France, Canada and Great Britain are identified. A satyr (the Devil), stands holding his scythe before the globe, whence from the broken area of Great Britain emerges a procession of persons mounted on hobby horses, including royalty, clergy, and a man carrying a ship model and bags of money. Time flies above, lifting the curtain on the scene, while a putto with a bubble-pipe flies towards the globe. Within the bubble is a representation of Fortune. On the ground a monkey accosts an owl, while to the right an open scroll proclaims "Life is a jest," a possible reference to John Gay's Epitaph
Alternative Title:
Life is a jest
Description:
Title supplied by cataloger., Sheet cropped within plate mark., and Mounted to 20 x 14 cm.
Title from annotation in a modern hand written in pencil below plate mark., Artist and printmaker from pencil annotations in a contemporary hand below image: J. Buckler del. ; Thos. Higham., Probably a proof state., and Date based on the timing of the final collapse of the Fonthill Abbey tower, which occurred in 1825.
Title, printmaker, date, and artist, from the Catalogue of engraved British portraits, which also states: "From picture at Althorp. Pl. to Mrs. Jameson's Beauties of the Court of Charles II, 1838." and Sheet trimmed to plate mark at top of sheet.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Tyrconnell, Frances Talbot, Countess of, approximately 1649-1732,
A view of the interior of busy French barracks shows a more domestic atmosphere than military although weapons and other gear adorn the walls and lay scattered on the floor. The scene includes a woman nursing a baby (right) as another child plays at her feet. Beside her another woman holds up a mirror so that an officer can admire his reflection from both the front and back. A third woman (left) cuts an officers toe nails as a barber dresses his long queue; another officer has his hair powdered. In the background a man in his night shirt sits on the side of his bed as he stretches his arms and yawns
Description:
Title from engraving based on this drawing, published by S.W. Fores 12 August 1791. and For further information, consult library staff.
"An engraving, which represents a clergyman (? Jeremy Taylor) showing to a lady (? Lady Carberry) a mirror, in which she is reflected as a skeleton; by her side is a child, who points to the mirror; and behind her stands an old man, lifting up his hands in astonishment. On the table, which sustains the mirror, is written "Fades natiuitatis suae, James 5. 23"; and on a scroll on the ground, "Vigilate et Orate quia nescitis horam"."--British Museum catalogue
Description:
Title and printmaker from the British Museum catalogue., Publication place and date inferred from other states described in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., Cf. No. 821 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 1., Later annotations in an unidentified hand on verso, partially trimmed off and covered by mounting sheet., and Window mounted to 23 x 14 cm.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Topic):
Mirrors, Clergy, Skeletons, Children, and Older people
In the foreground, Charles Fox puts a chain around the British Lion's neck while Lord North ties a blindfold around the animal's head. Standing next to North is Burke who holds the ends of the chain attached to a large padlock. In the background, a female figure of Britannia holds William Pitt by the hand in an attempt to lead him forward
Description:
Title, statement of responsibility and publication date supplied by cataloger based on entry in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires. and Imperfect; sheet trimmed within the plate mark resulting in loss of imprint.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792., Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797., and Pitt, William, 1759-1806.
Subject (Topic):
Britannia (Symbolic character), Lions, Blindfolds, and Chains
Title devised by cataloger., Publication date from an unverified card catalog record., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Frontispiece to: Freemasons magazine., "To the Rt. Worshipful & Rt. Honorable Lord Rawdon the rest of the officers composing the Grand Lodge of England the Freemasons' Magazine is most humbly inscribed"--At top of image., and Temporary local subject terms: Emblems: freemasons -- Cherubs -- Allusion to Francis Rawdon, 1st Marquis of Hastings, 1754-1826.