Courtenay (right), as the chairman of a tavern club, sits at the head of an oblong table, in profile to the left, smoking. He says to george hanger, who faces him at the foot of the table: "i say, georgey how do things look now?" the words issue from his mouth in a cloud of smoke. Hanger answers: "ax my grandmother's muff, pray do!" he holds a pipe, his wine-glass is overturned. His bludgeon is thrust in his top-boot. On hanger's right sits fox, leaning back in his chair, registering extravagant amusement and saying "o charming! - charming!" opposite fox sits sheridan, clasping a decanter of 'brandy' in one hand, a glass in the other. He says, with a sly smile, "excellent! - damme georgey, excellent. " next him, and on courtenay's right, sits m. A. Taylor, flourishing his pipe and saying, "bravo! the best thing i ever heard said, damme. " on the table are decanters of 'mum' and of 'champaig[n]'. Above courtenay's head is a picture of a simian creature in a cap of liberty, squatting on the ground and smoking a pipe. The frame is inscribed 'juvenal'. The floor is carpeted, the chairs are ornate. 4 february 1797
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1797. Dimensions: Height: 249 mm; Width: 355 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: John Courtenay. Collection: British Museum. "The feast of reason, & the flow of soul,"-i.e.-the wits of the age, setting the table in a roar. (BM 1868,0808.6592)
Loading...
