The Dance of Death / Exhibited in Elegant Engravings on Wood with a Dissertation on the Several Representations of that Subject but More Particularly on Those Ascribed to Macaber and Hans Holbein

by Francis Douce

The best of these subjects are Nos. 4, 13, 14, 15, and 18. The text is a mixture of prose and verse.

X. “The English Dance of Death, from the designs of Thomas Rowlandson, with metrical illustrations by the author of Doctor Syntax.” 2 vols. 8vo. 1815-1816. Ackermann.

In seventy-two coloured engravings. Among these the most prominent and appropriate are, the last Chase; the Recruit; the Catchpole; the Death-blow; the Dramshop; the Skaiters; the Duel; the Kitchen; the Toastmaster; the Gallant’s downfall; and the fall of four in hand. The rest are comparatively feeble and irrelevant, and many of the subjects ill-chosen, and devoid of that humour which might have been expected from the pencil of Rowlandson, whose grotesque predominates as usual in the groups.

XI. “Death’s Doings, consisting of numerous original compositions in prose and verse, the friendly contributions of various writers, principally intended as illustrations of 24 plates designed and etched by R. Dagley, author of “Select gems from the antique,” &c.” 1826. 8vo.

From the intrinsic value and well deserved success of this work, a new edition was almost immediately called for, which received many important additions from the modest and ingenious author. Among these a new frontispiece, from the design of Adrian Van Venne, the celebrated Dutch poet and painter, is particularly to be noticed. This edition is likewise enriched with numerous elegant contributions, both in prose and verse, from some of the best writers of the age.

XII. A modern French Dance of Death, under the title of “Voyage pour l’Eternité, service général des omnibus accélérés, depart à tout heure et de tous les point du globe.” Par J. Grandville. No date, but about 1830. A series of nine lithographic engravings, including the frontispiece. Oblong 4to. These are the subjects:

1. Frontispiece. Death conducting passengers in his omnibus to the cemetery of Père la Chaise.

2. “C’est ici le dernier relai.” Death as a postilion gives notice to a traveller incumbered with his baggage, &c.

3. “Vais-je bien? ... vous avancez horriblement.” Death enters a watchmaker’s shop, and shews his hour-glass to the master and his apprentice.

4. “Monsieur le Baron, on vous demande.—Dites que je n’y suis pas.” Death having entered the apartment, the valet communicates his summons to his gouty master lying on a couch.