'the wit's magazine', i. 81. Illustration to 'a preservative against duelling', pp. 89-92. The interior of a coffee-house. Two young men in regimentals stand near the fireplace (left); one, whose broken sword lies on the ground, is being threatened with a hot poker held to his nose by a man in riding-dress, who holds the lapel of his coat. The other with his sword attacks from behind the man with the poker, but is held back by a customer and a waiter. Two bystanders hold up their hands in alarm. A parson seated at a table holding a newspaper watches the fray. Behind is the bar, within which stands a young woman much alarmed. Over its arched alcove is inscribed 'orgeat, jellies &c. '; glasses, bottles, &c, are ranged on shelves. On the wall is a map inscribed 'pacific ocean'. A wall-clock points to 1. 30. In the background (left) is a glass door of the coffeehouse; by it stands a waiter with a coffee-pot; a customer raises his stick threateningly as if to strike him. Two young ensigns have insulted the company, and especially the young woman in the bar, by the grossness of their talk. On being reproved they demanded satisfaction; an altercation arose, swords were drawn, and the man making the reproof defended himself with a red-hot poker. 1 april 1784
etching. Date: 1784. Dimensions: Height: 196 mm; Width: 240 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Thomas Holcroft. Collection: British Museum. The Discomfited Duellists (BM 1872,1109.324)
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