The Mysterious Fair One, or – the Royal Introduction to the Circassian Beauty

Isaac Robert Cruikshank
The Mysterious Fair One, or – the Royal Introduction to the Circassian Beauty
London S W Fores, May 1819
Etching
Original hand colouring
220 x 325 mm
Trimmed within platemark
£240
The Persian Ambassador presents the (supposed) fair Circassian, actually the Priness of Wales, to the Regent, who rises from a sofa, with a gesture of welcome frozen into aversion. The lady raises her transparent veil to say; I am indeed your Wife. The Ambassador, who has a heavy black beard, and wears a high astrakhan cap, with trousers and zouave jacket, points to the lady and grins at the Regent saying; What your own Wife ha- ha – The Regent declaims; Oh what a form? What Symetry, what Elegance of manners ; in every gesture dignity and Love, –Oh how I long to have my Eyes gratified with a sight of that much injured fair one – a Slave indeed -no she shall not be a Slave to any Mans Passions, I’ll take care of that ; for I’ll Marry her myself !!! – What, what, save me, hide me from – from -from – Myself.
On the back of the Regent’s sofa a crown rests on a cushion.
BM 13242