Various objects, each with title and inscription, arranged in four vertical columns, two being on each side of the central design and title. Each object has an inscription which in many cases is here omitted. The central design, [1] 'chaos', consists of a man and woman dressed in the fashion of the day but standing on their hands, their heads erect, their arms taking the place of legs, the lower part of the body appearing to be seated on the shoulders. The inscription is:
'that order which from chaos rose,
returns to chaos in our cloaths
for so fantastic is our dress
to find each part we scarce can guess. '
the woman's dress ridicules the inflated 'derrière', see bmsat 6874, &c, and puffed-out breast, see bmsat 7099, &c. The other designs are:
[2] 'invisible pleasure, or the ladies delight'. A cock standing in a pair of breeches. [3] 'a nostrum for state quacks'. A headsman's axe. [4] 'charity'. A bishop (half length) clasping his hands and saying "blessed are the poor. Motto. Do as i say, not as i do. "
[5] 'an antient whig'. A man with a third eye in place of a nose to show his vigilance. [6] 'oratory'. A pair of bellows. [7] 'nutcrackes'. A profile whose nose and chin meet. [8] 'a modern whig'. A mask (? of fox); inscription:
'in days like these refin'd
so very cunning whigs are grown
as to enlarge the mind,
they wear a face besides their own. '
[9] 'mint drops'. Guineas. [10] 'a sound lawyer'. A wig-block representing kenyon in profile to the right. [11] the philosopher's stone'. A jewel which fastens a woman's waist-belt, the fashionable 'cestus' of the day. [12] 'orator mum's head'. An ass's head with a human head in profile to the left resembling sydney. [13] 'reformation'. A bust portrait of a man inscribed 'flint' who resembles the flint of bmsat 5896. His hat is inscribed 'pride'; rays from his eyes and mouth are inscribed 'lust', 'austerity', 'profane', 'oaths'. Inscription '". Take example from those about my person. " vide proclamation. ' (see bmsat 7182. )
beneath the title is an inscription to 'h. W. Bunbury esq. - esto quod esse videris'. See bmsat 7329. 30 may 1788
etching. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 217 mm; Width: 391 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Henry William Bunbury. Collection: British Museum. Exhibition of the Times, consisting of Emblems & Caricatures, original, political, humourous and satirical ... Plate the First (BM 1868,0808.5738)
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