The duke of clarence dressed as a woman leans over a first-floor balcony to empty a cracked chamber-pot (inscribed 'dc') upon the tambourine which a man is playing in the street below. This man capers along, leading two street musicians to whom he says, "come along my boys come along thats your sort [see bmsat 8073] keep it up - i wont commit you now never fear its rare fun ay'nt [it] & all gratis". One man kneels on one knee playing a mechanical organ; he says, "oh the tremendous just ass midas oh what a solomon is justass mida - ". The other blows a french horn. The duke is dressed as a nurse, a handkerchief tied round his head, under which appears the end of his short pigtail queue. On his sleeve is a star. Beside him (right) stands a surgeon leaning over the balcony; his shirt-sleeves are rolled up showing brawny arms; in his right hand is a huge forceps which grips the head of an infant on whose breast is a star; under his left arm is a bundle of surgical instruments. He says, "d. N your noise you rascall's you'll disturb mrs pickle who has just made a faux couche of a young sea gull, here nurse clarey tip 'em the jordan'. " clarence answers, "well said dr warrant we'll rake em fore and aft. " an ugly old woman stands in the street on the extreme right looking up at the balcony; she says, "bless the baby how like its dady what a pity it should be a slink, aye marry and marked with a star". Behind her is the door of the house with a plate inscribed 'mrs pick[le]'. On the house (left) is 'sommers street'. 15 march 1791. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1791. Dimensions: Height: 363 mm; Width: 251 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Richard Ford. Collection: British Museum. Mrs Pickles mistake or the new papa disappointed with Justice Shallow's attempt to chain the brutes (BM 1868,0808.6018)
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