August 29, 1812. Setting out for Margate. Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by T. Tegg (166).—A stout citizen, smartly clad, with his wife, whose apparel is still more festive, are setting out upon a holiday excursion. The heads of two geese are hanging over the coat-tails of the cockney traveller: 'Why, my dove, I am loaded with provisions, like a tilt-cart on a fair-day, and my pockets stick out just as if I was just returned from a City feast.' The correct partner of his joys is responding, 'Don't be so wulgar, Mr. Dripping; you are now going among genteel folks, and must behave yourself. We shall want all the wickalls on the woyage, depend upon it. Bless me, how varm it is! I am all over in a muck!' To them enters their foreman: 'An' please you, master and missis, the sailor-man has sent word as how the wessel is ready to swim!'
August 30, 1812. The Sweet Pea. Published by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street.
October 1, 1812. Refinement of Language. Woodward del., Rowlandson sculp. Published by T. Tegg (171).—Six subjects, illustrating the results of the advance of genteel ideas and the introduction of a new-fashioned system of refining on everything. A ragged match-seller is elevated into a 'timber merchant.' A postman becomes a 'man of letters.' A gardener is raised to a 'Master of the Mint.' A Jew hawker, who cries, 'Any old clothes to shell?' is changed to a 'merchant tailor.' A sexton, pressing down the mould on a grave, is translated into 'a banker;' and a poulterer easily becomes a 'Turkey merchant.'
1812. Bitter Fare, or Sweeps Regaling.—As in the preceding caricature the date of this plate has been altered; it was probably published in 1802, and re-issued later, a common occurrence with Rowlandson's prints. Bitter Fare, or Sweeps Regaling, was, it seems likely, designed as a companion to Love and Dust (1792, &c.), and it partakes of the same ragged inspiration. In the hovel tenanted by the somewhat undesirable 'Chummey family' smoke is the prevalent element; the sooty company, sufficiently black and begrimed in their own persons, seem perfectly in their element before a smoking fireplace—as they are reposing luxuriously on sacks of soot. The heads of the family are amiably sharing their enjoyments, drinking beer from a pewter measure, and smoking long clay pipes; the sweeper lads, but for a coat of soot comparatively unclad, are revelling amidst the cinders on the hearth, divided between the congenial relaxations of eating porridge and tormenting an unfortunate cat. Brushes, shovels, and the professional belongings of chimney-sweeping are scattered about; the only article of fancy admitted into the establishment is a blackbird, which is possibly present on the ground that its hue offers a resemblance to the general complexion.
October 12, 1812. [Raising the Wind.] Published by T. Rowlandson, 1 James Street, Adelphi.
When noblemen have lost racehorse, and all their rhino spent,
Then little Isaac draws the bond and lends for cent. per cent.
RAISING THE WIND.