Rowlandson the Caricaturist; a Selection from His Works. Vol. 2

by Joseph Grego

'This child of chance, it is presumed, is led through a track of life not unsuited to the peculiarity of his condition and character, while its varieties, as in the former works, are represented by the pencil of Mr. Rowlandson with its accustomed characteristic felicity.

'The idea of an English Gil Blas predominated through the whole of this volume, which must be considered as fortunate in no common degree, if its readers, in the course of their perusal, should be disposed to acknowledge even a remote similitude to the incomparable works of Le Sage.

'The Author.

'Johnny Quæ Genus! What a name
To offer to the voice of Fame!

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But howsoe'er the thing we view,
Our little Johnny's title's new:
Or for the child, or for the man,
In an old phrase, 'tis spick and span.
Besides, as most folks do agree,
To find a charm in novelty,
'Tis the first time that grammar rule,
Which makes boys tremble when at school,
Did with the name an union crave
Which at the font a sponsor gave.
But whether 'twas in hum'rous mood
Or by some classic whim pursued,
Or as, in Eton's Grammar known,
It bore relation to his own,
Syntax, it was at Whitsuntide,
And a short time before he died,
In pleasant humour, after dinner,
Surnam'd, in wine, the little sinner.
And thus, amid the table's roar,
Gave him, from good old Lilly's store,
A name which none e'er had before.'

This quotation from the opening of Combe's Hudibrastic narrative will account for the originality of the hero's eccentric title.

Rowlandson's illustrations are as follows:—

• Quæ Genus on his Journey to London.
• "in search of Service.
• "relating his History to Sir Jeffery.
• "at Oxford.
• "Conflict with Lawyer Gripeall.
• "with the Sheep-shearers.
• "assisting a Traveller.
• "in the Sports of the Kitchen.
• "in the Service of Sir Jeffery Gourmand.
• "with a Quack Doctor.
• "with a Spendthrift.
• "attending on a Sporting Finale.
• "in the Service of a Miser.
• "and the Money Lenders.
• "officiating at a Gaming-table.
• "with a Portrait Painter.
• "gives a grand party.
• "interrupts a tête-à-tête.
• "committed, with a riotous dancing party, to the Watchhouse.
• "engaged with jovial friends, or who Sings best.
• The party breaking up, and Quæ Genus breaking down.
• Quæ Genus turned out of a House which he mistakes for his own.
• "and Creditors.
• "discovers his Father.

1822. Rowlandson's Sketches from Nature.