Church promotion, or, How to scale a pulpit!

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Isaac Cruikshank
1756?-1811?
Church promotion, or, How to scale a pulpit!
Peel 1937
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Lettered with title, text below image and publication line "Published by S W Fores 50 Piccadilly Febry 25. 1809."
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.

Summary: 

O'Meara, in back view, climbs a ladder which Mrs. Clarke (left) and the Duke of York (right) hold against a pulpit. In his pocket is a paper: 'A Sermon for Royalty'. He grasps the cushioned top of the pulpit with both hands, as if to haul himself up. Neither Mrs. Clarke nor the Duke is caricatured, both are in profile. She wears no hat, but a long white veil hangs from her head. A reticule filled with coins hangs from her arm. It is inscribed 'Indispensible'. He wears uniform with cocked hat and sword. An empty gallery stretches across the background on a level with the high pulpit. Below the title: '"O Meara deliver'd me your Letter yesterday morning. he wishes to preach before Royalty & I'll put him in the way for it." Hints from an Old Soldier, on the Act of rising in Church or State'.

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