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.]