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The coward comforted, or, A scene immediately after the duel

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James Gillray
1756-1815

The coward comforted, or, A scene immediately after the duel

[London] : Pubd. May 29th 1789 by J. Aitken, Castle Street, Leicester Fields, [1789]
etching, hand colored
image: 226 x 332 mm; trimmed sheet: 249 x 347 mm
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.192
Notes
The word "coward in the caption title has been scratched over but remains clearly legible.
By James Gillray.
Provenance

From the library of Gordon N. Ray.

Summary

Print shows Lennox on a sofa, his pistol in his hand, looking up with a melancholy expression. Lady Charlotte Gordon holds a smelling-bottle to his nose while the Duke of Richmond regards his nephew anxiously. Lennox says: I had been happy, if the Gen'ral Camp Foot-soldiers, all, had pull'd my Nose in private, So it had not been told; O, now for ever Farewell the Plumed Troops & the big War, The spirit-stirring Drum & the ear piercing fife, The Royal Banner & all quality, Pride, Pomp, & Circumstance of glorious War Farewell! Your Hero's reputations gone! Lady Charlotte says: O my dear shiv'ring L. .. . x [These words have been ostensibly obliterated by cross-hatching which leaves them legible and makes them conspicuous.]! do compose yourself, for the sake of your dear Charlotte! Ah! that hot-blooded-fellow has fright'ned him into an Ague - come do take a sniff at your Charlotte's smelling-bottle, the Bonny Duchess says that my smelling Bottle is a nice Thing to raise a Man's courage, I long for you to take hold of it, my dear L ... x. Richmond says: Don't fret yourself my dear Nephew, [These words have been ostensibly obliterated by cross-hatching which leaves them legible and makes them conspicuous.] you have behaved like a Man of Spirit & Honor; - your putting up with a public Insult when you could have resented it, shews your magnanimity! your pretending not to remember the words of the insult, shews your harmless disposition! - your Letters to the Club, your good-sense! ... [etc.]. Pitt (left) looks round a door, saying: Heav'ns L . . . x [These words have been ostensibly obliterated by cross-hatching which leaves them legible and makes them conspicuous.] what's the matter? I hope you've succeeded in lessening the number of my Plagues.

Associated names
Aitken, James, active 1788-1802, publisher.
Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.
Classification
Department
Century prints