Sampson wright sitting in an arm-chair behind a small square table. He shrinks back, holding up his hands, as a man standing in front of the table thrusts his fist towards his face, saying, "you rascal! i'll break every bone in your body". A youth (right) standing behind the assailant says, holding up a handkerchief, "o lord! o lord! my poor pap'll be killd!" at the magistrate's right hand stands (left) a man who appears disconcerted; he is probably bond, the clerk. On the wall over wright's head are two prints, one of a rat caught in a trap called 'trap'd'; the other of a bird: this resembles a cock standing on a vase or pot; and if so it may represent the brutal sport of cock-throwing practised on shrove-tuesday, which, thanks to the efforts of sir john fielding and the bow street magistrates, had been more or less stopped in london. Possibly some such print with a cautionary intention was actually exhibited at bow street. Perhaps, however, the bird represents a decoy, if so it would be more in keeping with the spirit of this satire. On the table are writing materials and a purse inscribed "dirty shillings", beside it lie coins. After 1 october 1782
etching. Date: 1782. Dimensions: Height: 353 mm (cropped); Width: 249 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Nicholas Bond. Collection: British Museum. Sampson overcome by a Physitian. (BM 1868,0808.4882)
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