A design in two compartments; above, cavalry proceed right to left.;below, infantry march left to right. [1] a burlesqued procession of men variously mounted. The leader, dressed as a light horseman and holding up a sabre, rides a horse with blinkers, trampling on a hen and chickens and leaving a dead pig behind him. He says: "know all men by these presents that if any accidents happen i do not consider myself accountable for them after thus publiccally warning every person to keep within doors all all [sic] their live and dead stock!!" the next horseman, whose hat flies off, turns to shout: "hollo there, some body be so good as to catch my hat. " he is followed by a silent man riding a bull. Next him a man threatens with his sword a ragged boy on an ass: "what are you at you young scoundrel are you going to ride over the captain keep in your rank you. " the boy answers: "what d'ye mean by that i have as much right here as you. " a man clasps his horse's neck, saying, "curse the horse how he prances. " behind the ass, the horse of a man in civilian dress falls on its knees, throwing its rider, who says: "d------n the chimney sweeper i thought he'd be over us. " a rider (horse visible) shouts "take care of the apple stall", while an old woman throws up her arms, shouting, "o dear mr soldier dont ride over me. " she is in danger from a man in regimentals, gauntlet gloves, and wearing a sword, but whose horse has blinkers. A man turns to him, saying, "d------n me you'll kill the old woman. " he answers: "what signifies that charge her to the parish. " the last of the procession is a yokel in a smock, on a horse with blinkers and collar. He rides down a pig and poultry; his neighbour turns to him, saying, "mind what you are hat - you sir in the blue frock if you kill the pigs it will be actionable. " he answers: "then let them keep out of the way of the sarvice. "
[2] an unsoldierly group march with bayoneted muskets, preceded by two boys with fife and drum. The officer, wearing a gorget and holding up a sword, scowls at a man behind him who raises his leg so high as to kick him, saying: "none of your tricks jack dont fancy you are in the shop now": the grinning offender is addressed by a man wearing a grenadier's cap who marches beside him: "mind what you are about or you will be had before a court martial". A man with tipsily closed eyes says, "i'm as giddy as a goose. " a short, fat, elderly man in civilian dress says, "warm work my masters". His neighbour answers, "nothing when you are used to it". A man wearing an apron rests his musket horizontally on his shoulder, saying, "this is the way to march"; he spikes the hat of the man behind, who shouts: "what are you at you fellow in green are you going to poke peoples eyes out". A stout man says, "when i kept the tripe shop in the borough who would have thought i should have rose to be an insign. " beside him walks a woman with a bottle and glass shouting, "does any gentlemen in the front ranks want a drap of good gin. " a grenadier marches beside the last couple looking contemptuously at a man in a shirt who says: "by goles this thing [musket] is so heavy it's the best way to drag it along and not carry it. " the last man, who is bandy-legged, says, "i donna much like it. " 1 january 1797
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1797. Dimensions: Height: 335 mm; Width: 476 mm. Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. Supplementary cavalry and infantry. (BM 1917,1208.4112)
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