The progress of passion / JN [Nixon] 1792 ; etched by Cruikshanks.

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Isaac Cruikshank
1756?-1811?
The progress of passion / JN [Nixon] 1792 ; etched by Cruikshanks.
London : London Pub: June 4 1792 by W Fores No 3 Picca.dilly, [1792]
Peel 1725
Published: 
London : London Pub: June 4 1792 by W Fores No 3 Piccadilly, [1792].
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Inscription: 

Inscription in ink: "Po?ed Eng from J Nixon."

Notes: 

Library's copy trimmed within platemark with loss of imprint.
Printed on two sheets.

Summary: 

Print shows a sequence of scenes arranged in two rows, depicting the consequences of Thurlow's rage at his dismissal. The words spoken are etched under the appropriate figure. [1] George III (left) seated at a table, points angrily at Thurlow (right), who hurries off, scowling, his hand held before his mouth, his back to the King. On the table by the King is a paper inscribed "A further suply to George and Frederick", evidently put before him by the Chancellor. He says: "Do you dare to Hint your K--g can do amiss Out of my Sight, what. what. what. - whats all this." A dog under the table barks at the retreating Chancellor. [2] Thurlow rises from a round dinner-table stamping with rage, holding up his wig as if to fling it to the ground. The tablecloth is tucked under his chin so that as he rises plate, wine, & crockery crash to the floor. A foppish French manservant carries off a leg of mutton with an amused smile. A lady (left), probably Thurlow's daughter, walks from the table in alarm. Thurlow says: "May the Curs'd Cook be Trebly D--m'd Zounds she dont think I will be cram'd With Mutton stinking & Quite raw, Wou'd the hot Coals were in her Maw." [3] Thurlow's daughter (left) speaks over her shoulder to a young maid-servant who stands full face, her eyes cast down: "so Madam here is Dainty Work, Your Master's swearing like a Turk, if his Meals Spoild another day you & the Cook shall both away." [4] The maidservant (left), her hands on her hips, bends angrily towards a fat and elderly cook who stamps and snaps her fingers defiantly; she says: "By Goles my Mistress now shall know, what scenes are going on Below look not at me with so much scorn your Drunk ye Beast from Night to morn My Master too's in such a Fury he swears he'll hang you without jury." The cook answers: "A Fig for all your Trumping Airs Save your Sweet Breath to say your Prayers Old Grumbles Blustering & Noise May Frighten little Girls and Boys but tell him what he takes amiss I do not Value - no not this." [5] The cook (left), a frenzied virago, attacks the terrified French manservant, shaking him. She screams :"Curse on your Frenchified Grimaces By you Poor Sarvants loose their Places Ye sneaking Hound - for telling Tales I'll tear your Eyes out with my Nails." [6] The manservant standing in profile to the right, his fists clenched, kicks a sturdy butcher who carries his tray under his arm. He says: "eh mon Ami, you bring de Meat, dot smell so vile, de Doge wont Eat Allez vous en - Vous d------d Jack Bull By gar me Crack your von Tick Scull." The butcher's dog (right) runs off with its tail between its legs, but turns its head to snarl at the Frenchman. [7] The butcher holds up his dog by the scruff of its neck, his right fist raised to strike, saying: "That Devilish thing they call the Law Keeps us Poor Butchers all in awe Or Eke Monsieur should Quickly know I'd pay him tenfold for his Blow. But as I can't Retaliate I'll vent on thee curs'd Hound my Hate." [8] The dog bites a snarling cat; beneath is the inscription: "Chouder now from the Butcher free Attacks Grimalkin furiously Glutts all his anger on the Cat Who in return falls on a Rat." [9] On the extreme right the cat sits looking at a dead rat, inscribed: "and by Depriving it of life Ends this long Chain of noise & Strife." Cf. Geroge.

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