"A corner of the stage at Drury Lane slants diagonally from left to right, showing part of the orchestra and pit (right) with part of two stage-boxes on the extreme right. The stage manager, Raymond, stands addressing the clamorous audience, while on the left a young man with ass's ears sits on a donkey which flourishes its heels so that they strike the lowered stage-curtain. The donkey brays "Ih ho Ih ho Ih ho," its hind-quarter is branded 'My Pegasus Buz'. Its rider recites: "Nor ever here your smiles would be represt, "Knew you the rival flames that fires our breast, "Flame, Fire and Flame!--sad--woe Neddy! Ladies and Gentlemen, My Papa's Pegasus is so full of fire and spirit that very few are capable of mounting him. for my self I never spoke but once & that was-- Unce logos but if you will give me leave to get on with my Papas Monologue I am positive you will pronounce it the prettiest piece of poetry produced for the purpose." Raymond says: "Ladies and Gentlemen, it was never the intention of the Proprietors to introduce Assess [sic] on these boards but as you seem entertained with their braying if it [is] your wish, we will procure some trainers from the other House as we are really ignorant in the management of thes [sic] Animals." Greeted by derisive cheers from the audience, Dr. Busby, also with ass's ears, leans from the upper stage-box, saying, "Ladies and Gentlemen, only hear My Son speak my Monologue written by myself the only one fit to be heard the committee are as ignorant of good Poetry a[s] I am of true criticism. I am a great writer reviews my sons works very clever indeed--writes my own life--well worth reading--my Life of Lucius Otrigger will astonish you now pray hear my Son speak my Monologue!--." A man behind him shouts: "Bravo! Go on! Go, on," and one in the crowded lower box applauds: "Bravo Apollo go on Go . . ." In the foreground a man in the pit shouts pointing to the ass: "Why don't you come down and get up behind don't you see he wants ballast." Six others address the son: "When you have done there--set those Epigrams to Music young Apollo!"; "Off Off Off Off"; "he will be off presently if Neddy kicks so!"; "Go on Go on"; "Speak out you should have brought your Voice with you"; "hear him hear him." The orchestra is empty of performers, but the music scores are headed 'The Judgement of Midas' [O'Keefe's play]. Three large papers lie on the stage inscribed respectively: [1] 'A Lord [Byron] and a Doctor once started for Fame Which for the best Poet should pass The Lord was cried up on account of his name The Doctor cried down for an Ass--' [2] 'Doctor Buz he assures us on Drury new Stage No Horses or Elephants, there should engage But pray Doctor Buz, how comes it to pass, That you your own self should produce there an Ass' [3] 'Old Buz against Quadrupeds, war did wage, And swore on Drury's board's such Mum'ry ne'er should pass But forcing his own Pegasus on Drurys stage The Critic Audience christen'd Buz an Ass.' Behind Raymond is the lower part of the verd-antique pillar which flanked the curtain, and on the right the large ornate lamp, of quasi-Egyptian design in which three hawk-headed monsters support an inverted tripod, the base of a ring of lamp-jets."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Poet in a pet : with a chip of the block, mounted on Papa's Pegasus
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., Text following title: vide opening of New Drury Lane Theatre., and Laid-in to a piece of later paper.
Publisher:
Pubd. Octr. 21, 1812, by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
England and London.
Subject (Name):
Raymond, James Grant, -1817, Busby, Thomas, 1754-1838, Busby, George Frederick, active 1812, Byron, George Gordon Byron, Baron, 1788-1824., and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (London, England),
Subject (Topic):
Theaters, Interiors, Theater curtains, Theater audiences, and Donkeys
Signatures: [A]⁴ B-2L⁶., First leaf is blank., With final contents leaf., First edition 1619., Printed by William Stansby. See E.E. Willoughby. A printer of Shakespeare, 1934., Title page variant: author's name incorrectly spelled "Raphe"., Title-page inscribed: G. Dury, Esq. [17th century hand?], Imperfect: Preliminary blank leaf A₁ wanting., and Formerly laid in: William Roberts Gichard "Commemorative English and French heraldry keepsake". See Lewis Walpole Library 53 C67B B79x
"Title page to catalogue of John Bowles, printer and printseller, at the Black Horse, Cornhill, London; text in rectangle at the centre, with naval scene showing two ships on the sea below; behind the text a map, a letter to Mr John Bowles, a landscape and a study of eyes."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., "This title page was used for Bowles's catalogues from at least 1731, when his shop was at Mercer's Hall, Cheapside; the address was altered when he moved to Cornhill."--Curator's comments, British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: Heal,100.19., Date of publication based on publisher's street address; John Bowles started trading at the sign of the Black Horse, Cornhill, by 1733. See British Museum online catalogue., and For further information, consult library staff.
Publisher:
John Bowles
Subject (Topic):
Warships, Maps, Landscapes (Representations), and Eyes
"Frontispiece for 'A Catalogue of News and Useful Maps Curious and Entertaining Prints, Books of Architecture, Great Variety of Drawing Books in all the Branches of Penmanship And the best of each Kind'; title on scroll, surrounded by prints and maps."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Date of publication from the British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: D,3.524., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., and For further information, consult library staff.
"William Crowe stands in profile to the right holding his mortar-board in his right hand, his left hand extended, slightly stooping, as if making a speech. He has short thick hair (or wig) and wears bands and cassock under his gown."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Leaf 55 in an album with the spine title: Characatures by Dighton., 1 print : etching on laid paper, hand-colored ; plate mark 27.8 x 20.4 cm, on sheet 31.1 x 25.5 cm., and Figure identified as "Mr. Crow" in pencil in lower left corner of sheet.
Publisher:
Robert Dighton
Subject (Name):
Crowe, William, 1745-1829
Subject (Topic):
People associated with education & communication and Public speaking
"Prince Leopold sits enthroned, flanked by his new subjects; he wears uniform with a crown, and sits on a two-tiered circular dais in a chair of state, the seat of which is covered with giant thorns. Punctured and frightened, he grasps the arms of his chair with crisped fingers; his toes are drawn back, touching the ground, and he looks towards a savage-looking Greek (right) who kneels before him with a long knife held behind his back. A similar ruffian kneels on the left; others approach menacingly from the left, one smoking a long pipe and grasping a knife. They wear Greek costume with embroidered jackets and full white breeches. On the right are long-robed ecclesiastics, headed by a bearded patriarch with a cross in one hand, a knife in the other."--British Museum online catalogue
Brooke, William Henry, 1772-1860, printmaker, artist
Published / Created:
[1 September 1813]
Call Number:
813.09.01.02
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Abstract:
"Plate from the 'Satirist', xiii. 193. In the text the title continues '. . ., "alias" War'. A satire on the Congress of Prague. Four sovereigns, completely unlike the men in question, in conference. The Tsar sits behind a small rectangular table on which are displayed implements of war in miniature: cannon, pyramids of cannon-balls, muskets, swords, drums, &c., and flags on one of which are fleurs-de-lis. On the left stand the King of Prussia and the Emperor of Austria, on the right is Napoleon. Alexander extends his hands rhetorically, turning to the left, with a puckered scowl, to say to the two Germans: "Come Gentlemen see first if you can agree--if not we'll all fight!" He has quasi-Kalmuck features, and wears an odd-shaped crown, an ermine-bordered robe, with a jewelled necklace and a Greek cross. Frederick William III, on the extreme left, clutches the hilt of his sword and puts his left hand to his cocked hat as if ready to doff it, he turns to Francis I, towards whom a label issues from his mouth: "I am ready to treat or to fight"; a second label floats to the left, inscribed 'Infernal Scoundrel'. Francis I, looking distracted, stands directed to the right, legs apart, and in his left hand is his sabre, the blade of which curves over the Tsar's head, but both hands touch his crown, and he says: "I will wear an independant Crown." He wears hussar uniform, cloak, sash, and elaborately embroidered tunic and pantaloons. Napoleon, tall and burly, with heavy whisker and aquiline profile, wears a plumed bicorne with tricolour cockade and very tattered uniform leaving his legs almost bare, with one dilapidated jack-boot and one damaged stocking; he has a long sword. He stands aggressively with arms dramatically extended, saying, "My Friends! all we wish is Peace." A chain is attached to each great toe, which is fastened to the necks of two miserable princes, tiny figures standing between his outstretched legs. One (left), Charles IV of Spain, wearing a crown and robe, grotesquely knock-kneed and despairing, stands full-face. The other, wearing a crown with uniform and sword, stoops in profile, looking up abjectly at Napoleon's legs. On the extreme right, in the middle distance, is a tall Spanish don, much emaciated, wrapped in a cloak. He looks down with folded arms at a fat British officer beside him, who says: "I ll countenance Austria into our interests." The Spaniard: "I'll be damned if I go to meet a Frenchman in Prague, while there is a Frenchman to meet in Spain!!!" Behind them in the background a tiny Napoleon, wearing a grotesque crown and holding a sword, marches downhill at the head of his soldiers carrying flags; he has a melancholy expression and approaches the edge of a precipitous descent."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Satirist 1st September 1813
Description:
Title etched below image., Date of publication from text above image: Satirist 1st September 1813., and Plate from: The satirist, or, Monthly meteor, v. 13, page 193.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 1777-1825, Frederick William III, King of Prussia, 1770-1840, Francis I, Emperor of Austria, 1768-1835, Charles IV, King of Spain, 1748-1819, and Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821.
Subject (Topic):
Heads of state, Summit meetings, Cannons, Flags, Military uniforms, Daggers & swords, Crowns, and Chains
Two women stand on a balcony, mouths open in song and eyes cast downward at their music sheet. They wear corsetted dresses and feathered head wear. A satire of the duet performed by Harriet Abrams (1758-1821), the English soprano and composer, and her sister Theodosia (ca. 1770-1849), a contralto, on 9 May 1788 at Hanover Square Rooms. The piece performed was 'Gia che mia sposa sei' by Antonio Sacchini, and the occasion was the annual benefit concert for the tenor Samuel Harrison
Alternative Title:
Duet at the Hanover Square concert
Description:
Title etched below image., After a drawing by John Nixon, now in the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, Foundling Museum, London. The artist's "JN" monogram and "1788" date are etched within center left portion of image., Imperfect; sheet trimmed within plate mark with loss of imprint statement from bottom edge. Imprint supplied from impression in the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, Foundling Museum, London., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum., and Laid down onto album paper, with a cropped portrait of an unidentified man on the verso: I. Hiresman pinx. ; M. Vdr. Guchta sculp.
"A design partly bisected by a vertical line. The same lady sits (left) directed to the left at her dressing-table, wearing only a long chemise or petticoat, and slippers. On the right she sits, in the same attitude but directed to the right, fully dressed at the same dressing-table. In undress she is almost bald; a wig of naturally-dressed hair is on a stand on the table. She has an over-long neck and skinny arms. On the the table (left) are her fan, a locket suspended on a ribbon, cosmetic-boxes, and a bottle labelled 'Wrinkles'. When dressed her neck is concealed by a lace ruffle on a chemisette, she has long rucked sleeves, in her gloved hand is her fan. She wears a high-waisted gown under which her legs are defined; she wears elaborately embroidered stockings with flat slippers. Her wig seems to be luxuriant natural hair; she wears an ear-ring. On the dressing-table are boxes, a bottle of 'Lavender', and tickets inscribed 'Opera' and 'Cards'. She looks young and handsome, the dress (not exaggerated) effectively concealing her weakest points."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Fashionable lady in dress and undress
Description:
Title etched below image., Leaf 14 in an album with the spine title: Characatures by Dighton., and 1 print : etching on laid paper, hand-colored ; plate mark 29.7 x 19.7 cm, on sheet 31.1 x 25.5 cm.
Publisher:
Robert Dighton
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Topic):
Clothing & dress, Dressing tables, Wigs, and Cosmetics