Tegg.--A variation of the subjects published under a similar title, in
which the charms of numerous females are set forth under figurative
titles; the persons of six ladies are displayed in this print, their
personal attractions being grotesquely set off as _Pigs Pettitoes_,
_Scrag of Mutton_, _Leg of Lamb_, _Polony_, _Cod's Head and Shoulders_,
and _Lamb Chop, with Mint Sauce_. (Republished from 1808. Companion to
No. 188. Published October 25, 1809.)
_December 1, 1809._ _Cattle not Insurable._
_Hopes of the Family, or Miss Marrowfat Home for the Holidays._
Published by T. Tegg (No. 293).
_December 12, 1809._ _The Boxes._ Published by T. Rowlandson, 1 James
Street, Adelphi:--
O woe is me, 't have seen what I have seen;
Seeing what I see!--SHAKESPEARE.
The artist has given a view of the 'pigeon-holes' at Drury Lane, as the
new gallery in 'the house that Jack built' was derisively christened;
the present plate offers a burlesque representation of the refined
parts of the house, taken possession of by a company more miscellaneous
than select. The 'rabbit-hutches,' at seven shillings, are given up
to owls and deaf people; a narrow row below, in which the space is so
confined that it is impossible for the spectators to stand upright, is
held by Irish cabmen, roughs smoking long clay pipes, &c.; below these,
in the _boudoirs pour la noblesse_, we find the servants of the great,
dramdrinking, hobanobbing, and flirting. The occupants of the rest of
the private boxes are of a ruffianly type; big sticks and publican's
pewter measures are noticeable, besides gentlemen with damaged optics,
and without coats; a great dog, ladies from St. Giles's, and similarly
distinguished members of society. A scene of quarrelling, practical
joking, and general uproar is proceeding below.
_December 23, 1809._ _A Peep at the Gas Lights in Pall Mall._
Woodward del., Rowlandson sc.--The sketch represents a view of the
first thoroughfare where gas was employed to illuminate the streets.
Mr. Ackermann, the publisher, was one of the earliest to light his
Repository with gas, which he manufactured for the purpose, and was at
considerable expense in providing apparatus and making experiments in
improving the process. The sightseers are lost in wonder and admiration
at the novelty of finding gas burning in the streets; the lamps are
arranged in branches of three. A gentleman of fashion is endeavouring
to explain the science of gas-making to an elegant creature on his arm:
'The coals being steamed, produce tar or paint for the outside of
houses; the smoke passing through water is deprived of substance, and
burns as you see.' An Irish visitor, who has, uninvited, been attending
to this lucid explanation, is bursting out with 'Arrah, honey, if this
man brings fire through water we shall soon have the Thames and the
Liffey burnt down, and all the pretty little herrings and whales burnt
to cinders!' Amongst other wondergazers is a country farmer, who is
exclaiming, 'Wauns, what a main pretty light it be! we have nothing
like it in our country.' A Quaker, his companion, is responding, 'Ay,
friend, but it is all vanity; what is this to the inward light?' The
more disreputable members of the community are reflecting that the new
light will expose their depravities and put a stop to their commerce.
_December, 1809._ _Joint Stock Street._ Woodward del., Rowlandson
fecit. Published by T. Tegg (174).--From this satire it seems that a
company-mania must have raged in 1809, suggestive, in its extravagance,
of the days of the South Sea Bubble. In front of the _Hospital for
Incurables_ is a blank wall, covered with advertisements of various
joint-stock enterprises, which are attracting the attention of the
speculative. There is a _Doctors' Company_, offering incalculable
advantages: 'No charge for emetics, &c.; patent coffins provided on the
shortest notice; no surgeons admitted.' '_A Company of Menders_, open
to both sexes; wives to mend their husbands, husbands to mend their
wives, and most particularly, everybody to mend themselves.' _Company
of White-washers. N.B. No lawyers admitted. More advantages; a new
Cabbage and Potatoe Company, warranted genuine; no cooking required,
saves time and trouble._ At the corner of Bubble Alley is the following
tempting notice: _Peter Puff, manufacturer of deal boards without
knots, from genuine sawdust, &c._ And outside a miserable hovel is the
advertisement of _Tim Slashem, barber, and perriwig maker, who has a
company in formation of mowers of beards by a new machine, to shave
sixty men in a minute, to comb, oil, and powder their wigs in the
bargain_.
_December 24, 1809._ _The Bull and Mouth._ Woodward del., Rowlandson
sc. Published by T. Tegg (290).--A corpulent gentleman, wearing a
dressing-gown and nightcap, is yawning and stretching in his armchair.
His huge head and gaping jaws would furnish forth excellently well a
sign for the _Bull and Mouth_. By his side stands a handsome and highly
developed lady, who is taking advantage of the sleepiness of her rude
monster to slip a _billet-doux_ into the hand of a military officer,
who is waiting in the rear.