Heading to printed verses: 'sung by mr. Bannister, in his entertainment, called 'the budget. A comely young woman lies on the ground, thrown by a rearing horse but very much alive; she wears breeches under her gown. Her husband (l. ) gapes at her, saying, "my lambs as dead as mutton for she does not say a word!" a man in the middle distance hurries up, carrying a coffin on his shoulders. In the background are the houses and church of a country town (leeds). The verses relate how simpkin had his wife nailed up in a coffin and buried; she was released by a resurrection man, returned to find her husband gratefully caressing the horse, a quarrel and reconciliation followed. The verses end:
'then simpkin kiss'd his wife, i'm yours till death, he cried,
so, when, my dearest life, will you take another ride ?' c. 1807
hand-coloured etching with stipple on the faces. Date: between 1800 and 1810. Dimensions: Height: 185 mm (cropped); Height: 125 mm (image); Width: 210 mm (cropped); Width: 181 mm (image). Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. Wearing the breeches, or downfall of Mrs. Simpkin. (BM 1865,1111.2038)
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