In a large room lit by candles in sconces, a round game is in progress. The guests are ladies, undergraduates, and elderly parsons, some sit in a circle, while others look over their heads. An elderly parson grovels on his hands and knees, putting his head under the petticoats of a lady who sits (left) with her hands raised in surprise. He acts at the direction of a boy (prince william of gloucester) wearing the gown of (?) a fellow commoner over a coat with a star, who stands (right) in profile to the left, stretching his right arm with an autocratic gesture; a spaniel licks his feet. A stout parson seated behind him on the extreme left scowls and clenches his fist at the scene. The lady (the duchess of gloucester) sits between a fashionably dressed undergraduate wearing the gown of (?) a fellow commoner, and a stout parson who holds up his hands in astonishment. The undergraduates and some of the parsons appear amused, others frown disapprovingly. On the extreme left is a small round table on which are two candles and playing-cards. 11 february 1788
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 250 mm; Width: 350 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Dr Richard Beadon. Collection: British Museum. Questions & commands; or the mistaken road to He-r-f-rd; a Sunday evenings amusement (BM 1868,0808.5679)
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