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.