Hyde-Park, Sunday, or, Both hemispheres of the world in a sweat
[London] : Pubd. June 1st, 1789, by J. Aitken, Castle Street, Leicester Fields, [1789]
Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Five lines of text below title: "The world - and all the great 'which it inherit' - was there ..."
"Price 1 sh/6."
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
"A cavalcade of ladies and gentlemen on horseback riding close together, the legs of the horses being cut off by the lower margin of the print. Beneath the title is etched: 'The World - and all the great "which it inherit" - was there - Equestrian motion, universal - we saw all - mark'd all! - the Duelist with one Curl, & the Fraternal, one degree higher, down to the intelligencers of the Low-Pnnts (who cast their eyes around, that witness'd huge affliction & dismay); all was splendid - who (& what dignity but contained in that monosyllable?) not present? - Becky - was there!! - attraction spontaneous! - Old Quiz, cast a single glance! - "O the days when I was young! - one pang arose! - we view'd the field - captivating - beautiful - most beautiful! - but - Bunbury - where was Harry Bunbury? - we return'd - as (craving appetites of Cheapside satisfied) cent. pr cent. Citz: - Mans-mercers & Womens-mercers, were arriving, to inhale the clouded Air - Heat - Dust - Ibid - Ibidem. -" Topham rides (left to right) in the foreground, enormously fat, looking through a quizzing-glass. Next him is a stout lady probably intended for 'Becky' (Mrs. Wells) though resembling Mrs. Fitzherbert; she wears a hat with a floating veil. Queensberry (left) rides behind her, holding up a bunch of reins in his right hand. The other persons mentioned, the Duke of York (the duellist, see BMSat7531, &c.) and the Prince, are not depicted, unless a very stiff and erect officer (right) is intended for the Duke. The shoulders of the ultra-fashionable Topham are sprinkled with powder, cf. BMSat 8190."--British Museum online catalogue.
Peel, Robert, 1788-1850, former owner.