Regency fete, or, John Bull in the conservatory.

[London] : Pubd. June 28, 1811 by S.W. Fores 50 Piccadilly, [28 June 1811]

1 print : etching ; sheet 26 x 36 cm

laid paper

"A farmer (John Bull) and his family gape in amazement at the arrangements for the Regency fête on 19 June. The narrow table extends across the design receding from left to right, the cloth hanging over the seats of chairs in the foreground. The famous canal decorates the centre of the table with its gold and silver fish, and the table is laid with gold plate, and ornate cut-glass goblets and decanters labelled 'Dry Champain', 'Claret', and 'Burgundy'. There are three-branched gold candelabra. The Prince's chair is on the extreme right; beside it stand a man in livery and an attendant in plain clothes. Behind the chair large ornate gold salvers are arranged on shelves covered with white drapery, as in No. 11729. This was 'a kind of circular buffet . . . lined by festoons and antique draperies of pink and silver' ('Ann. Reg.', 1811, p. 69). The sightseers are on the farther side of the table (left) with their backs to the windows, John in the centre; he says, pointing: "Why Odd Zookers this is marvellous fine indeed. Oh Nan how we should relish a rasher on one of they monstracious beautifull Plates, why now I think I shan't grumble to pay three or four Bank Tokens towards this grand treat - methinks I should Just like a nippikin too." His wife puts out her hands protestingly: "Oh John one of our milk white Chickens roasted by myself by our wood fire would be Luscioscious indeed." His daughter says: "La Feather do zee how they gilded Fishes be stareing at yow." There are three loutish sons; one says: "I say Sue I thinks I should not like that dry Shampain, but a Dobbin of our home brewed in that there gilded gold thing would be dreadfully noice indeed"; another (looking up at the (invisible) ceiling : "Dang it if the top 0 the pleace beant all Eel pottles I'll be hang'd."--British Museum online catalogue.

John Bull in the conservatory

English

March 04, 2010

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 9, no. 11727

John Bull (Symbolic character) > Caricatures and cartoons.