1823.
_June 13, 1823._ _Not at Home, or a Disappointed Dinner-hunter._
Published by John Fairburn. Broadway, Ludgate Hill.--The dinner-hunter,
evidently a well-to-do but miserly person, to whom avarice dictates
the pursuit of the victuals of his acquaintances, has called at the
well-appointed house of a friend at the exact dinner-hour, since a boy
from an adjacent public-house is handing in the beer; but the footman,
who recognises the visitor's object, is prepared with the chilling
information, 'Not at home.' On the opposite side of the street is
represented an _Ã la mode_ beef shop, to which sundry stout diners
are resorting. The execution of this plate is above the average, the
etching being worked out with both care and spirit. A companion print,
executed with similar finish, was issued by the same publisher.
_June 19, 1823._ _An Old Poacher Caught in a Snare._--The old poacher
has evidently come on a dangerous quest, and is fairly trapped.
The object of his snares, a handsome and elegantly-drawn lady, is
thrusting the old sinner, suddenly disturbed by the unexpected return
of the husband, into the embrasure of the fireplace, and endeavouring
to conceal the marauder with the board which was used to close the
chimneypiece. The injured spouse has evidently been out hunting, and
has purposely returned on a more particular quest; whip in hand, he
is bursting into the room. The hat and stick of the hoary poacher are
thrown to the ground, and the hunter's hounds are tearing in on a good
scent which promises fitting retribution to be dealt on the head of the
detected evil-doer.