A steward at sea in a vain tempest!, or, Gaining the point of matrimony in spite of squalls! : / I R. C fecit ; Yedis [i.e. Sidebotham] invt.

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Robert Cruikshank
1789-1856
A steward at sea in a vain tempest!, or, Gaining the point of matrimony in spite of squalls! : / I R. C fecit ; Yedis [i.e. Sidebotham] invt.
[London] : Pubd by Sidebethem [sic] 287 Strand, 1819
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.476
Published: 
[London] : Pubd by Sidebethem [sic] 287 Strand, 1819.
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Notes: 

In the title the letter 'C' is scored through and replaced by 'sea'.

Summary: 

Print shows Lord Stewart in an open boat holding a staff, inscribed 'The Great Plenipo' with which he manipulates the rudder. By his hands is inscribed: 'Motions agt a Ward in Chancery'. The boat has a mast and sail, and a realistic figurehead of a pretty girl (Lady Frances Emily Vane Tempest). Stewart is saying: "I've been forty years in the Service & never was in such a tight little Vessel Before!--Shell stand any thing after this--I've made the port in spite of the Taylors with good Order An' trim! [Antrim]." The boat is the 'Frances' with a cargo of bundles of documents: 'Decision of the Chan--r in favour of the Marriage' and 'The Taylors done over a New Song'. The sea is rough, with much foam; in spite of two blasts from the mouths of a pair of 'Guardian Angelo''s in the clouds, the boat is being towed to the shore by Eldon, in Chancellor's wig and gown, who sits on two bags attached by ropes to the bows, and rows with the mace. A bag is inscribed 'Old Bags' and labelled 'Decree in favor of the marriage!' The hostile blasts are inscribed: 'Motions, to prevent the Marriage of L--d S--t with a Ward of Chancery'; 'Suits--Bills--Answers--Demurrers,--Re-hearings'; 'Private hearings--Reports, Exceptions--Objections'; 'Appeals Remonstrances & Submission!' and 'Rude Boreas--a design by Michael Angelo's Wife!!' The shore is the 'Harbour of Matrimony'. Hymen with a torch, followed by grotesque attendant amoretti greet the approaching boat. Beside them is a post surmounted by antlers, placarded 'Cuckold's point!' In the background stands a 'Temple of Hymen'. The 'Angelo's' are evidently Michael Angelo Taylor and his wife; he wears a Scots cap, she a tartan bonnet.

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