Charles Williams
The r-l pedagogue and his ushers. Omnia bona bonis.
London, M. Jones August 1st. 1814, The Scourge
Etching
Original hand colouring
248 x 346 mm
Traces of old folds as issued, neat marginal repair.
£380
The Regent sits on a throne wearing academic cap, gown, and bands, and holding a huge birch-rod. Poised on his cap is a tiny merry-go-round; on the central post Punch, wearing a fool’s cap, postures on one toe; on the rim are a tiny car, a donkey, goose, &c. His legs are wide apart and he has some resemblance to Henry VIII. He addresses Princess Charlotte who stands on the right, walking away but hindered by the Duke of York whom she tries to push aside. Beside the throne are Eldon and Ellenborough. Eldon (left), wears his Chancellor’s wig and gown, a bag over his shoulder, his left hand on the right arm of the throne. Ellenborough sits at the Regent’s left. A cross in the form of a pillory hangs from his neck; this is combined with a circle inscribed ‘Croix de Pillory’ forming a cross of Iona type. He holds a book: ‘Magna Charta’. Beside him, and at the foot of the throne, are a birch-rod and a bag labelled ‘Thumscrews & gags’. On a stool (left) next Eldon sits a fat and jovial bishop (the Archbishop of Canterbury) holding a bottle, and a large paper which he is reading: ‘an old Song to a new Tune / I know my trade / Which tho it be made / By some a mighty serious / occupation, / I have found that to laugh / Is better by half / And more likely to get / a presentation / Tis all a mere hum / To stand preaching humdrum / And telling old Tales of / repentance / You had better burlesque / Both pulpit and desk / And turn up your female acquaintance / So bein ….’ A roll of ‘Old Songs Humorous Amorous &c’, and a book (of old jests): ‘Joe Miller’, lie at his feet. Neglected behind his stool lies a book of ‘Com[mon] Pray[er]’. The Regent says to his daughter: "I have sent for you my Dear Girl, to give you advice—for the future you must look up to me, as a pattern of Chastity, Sobriety, and Fidelity—I have just dismissed your late attendants, and intend now to teach you these virtues by my own precept and example—you will henceforward live under my roof—if you dont Obey—Mind—this!!" [his birch-rod]. Lord Eldon: "If you will allow me Sir! to send my wife to her, she will teach her how to Obey, I’ll answer for it and that Scott free!!" Ellenborough: "Don’t mind Brother Bags I’d have every body know what the Law can do it can decorate a Lord with the Croix de St Pillory, why not a Lady!" The Princess: "I wont stay Uncle—I won’t be a Prisoner—I don’t care for all the Bishops and Lords in the Kingdom, I’ll put my self under the protection of some Coach’ee and drive to my Mother that I will!" The Duke of York answers: "No No my dear! must not run away from School Nuncky will pet it and Nurse it and Nunckys deary shant fret that it shant." He wears a military coat over a surplice, and a mitre projects from his coat-pocket. The Archbishop, turning from the conclave and absorbed in his song, says: "Fore George but this is a good one I must get into the right tune." The throne is an elaborate quasi-Chinese, quasi-Gothic erection, the top of the canopy with the Prince’s feathers cut off by the upper margin, leaving the words ‘Qui Pense’. The canopy is edged by bells. Below it are two winged cherubs’ heads, both shedding tears. The arms are inscribed respectively ‘Wisdom’ and ‘Activity’, Eldon leaning against the former, Ellenborough against the latter. In a niche beneath the left arm are two bottles: ‘Curr[açoa]’ and ‘Brandy’; the corresponding right niche is hidden by Ellenborough. On each side of the throne and above the heads of the two judges is an alcove containing large volumes: (left) ‘Rule a Wife and [have a wife’, John Fletcher’s comedy, 1624, revived by Garrick]; ‘Gullivers Travels’; ‘Gack the Gian Killer’ [sic]; ‘Tom Thumb’; ‘Family Quarrels a Novel in one Vol.’ On the right: ‘Little Red Riding Hood’; ‘Law and Equity’; ‘Duty of Jurymen by Veritas’; ‘Life of John Bull’. These alcoves are flanked by large pictures partly cut off by the upper margin and concealed by labels enclosing speeches. On the left is ‘Char[les the Se]cond’, on the right ‘Pri[nce Re]gent’, a realistic rendering of his paunch and legs. At his feet is a scroll inscribed ‘A Chines Bridge’. Against the portrait hangs a cage inscribed ‘Sterne’s Starling’, containing a bird which puts its head through the bars, saying, "I can’t get out."
