Reform advised. Reform begun. Reform compleat / [Rowlandson].

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Reform advised. Reform begun. Reform compleat / [Rowlandson].
Jno. Brown, 1793.
etching
image: 40.8 x 25 cm; plate: 44.2 x 27.7 cm; sheet: 45 x 28.7 cm
Peel 2809
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Summary: 

A design in three compartments, each with its title. [1] John Bull (left), very corpulent, a frothing tankard in his hand, sits in an arm-chair beside a table loaded with beef, pudding, and 'Home Brew'd'; he is approached by three famished Frenchmen, who lean eagerly towards him, cap in hand. Below: [2] The three Frenchmen, ragged, bare-legged, and fierce-looking, two with bludgeons and one with a dagger, advance menacingly to John Bull, who holds out a frog, saying: "A Pretty Reform indeed you have deprived me of my Leg and given me nothing but Frogs to eat I shall be Starved I am no Frenchman." He has a wooden leg, is less stout than in [1], and his clothes are ragged. The Frenchmen say: "Eat it you Dog & hold your Tongue you are very happy"; "Thats right my friend we will make him Happier still" (his cap is inscribed 'Ca ira'); "He is a little leaner now." Below: [3] John Bull lies prostrate screaming "O - H - O - H"; two frantic Frenchmen holding firebrands trample fiercely on him.

Classification: 
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