The Horses, going to the Dogs

George Cruikshank

The Horses, going to the Dogs

Published by George Cruikshank November 1^st. 1829, London

Etching

Original hand-colouring

260 x 360 mm

£180

The subject is the coming of the steam-age. In the central image four old horses in a fenced paddock on a hill are looking down at a steam-driven coach going along the road. One of the horses says; A Coach without Horses!!! Nonsense- come,come Master Dobbin you are “Trotting“ but you must not think to hum me because I’m blind! A second horse replies; Well, dash my Wig, if that isn’t the rummest go I ever saw — !!! The crowded steam-carriage hurtles along , smoke coming from it’s four rear funnels, it’s name on the door declares it to be The Wonder. Two dogs in the foreground are talking as they witness the scene; I say Wagtail what do you think of this new invention?. The second;  Why, I think we shalll have meat cheap enough !!. In the four corners are small , coloured vignettes.