Arden, wearing a judge's wig and gown, stands on a platform consisting of circular rolls (of bread). His head is turned in profile to the left, his right arm is extended with a denunciatory gesture. Beside him (left) a cross-hilted sword emerges from a cloud inscribed 'law', the blade is inscribed 'justice'; a hand projects from the hilt, forming a signpost pointing in the same direction as arden, and inscribed 'to westminster hall'. Beneath the design is etched 'master dicky, a parody, to the tune of the little ploughboy. A flaxen headed student,
as simple as may be,
and next a white wig council
i whistled for a fee;
but now a saucy master,
i strut in golden lace,
and no more k-----g's attorney,
i screw my angry face,
for to the right--lls promoted,
a chancery seat i fill,
whilst clients coffers empty,
our pockets for to fill;
---------. [12 ll. Omitted]
i'll scold, confuse and vindicate,
with speech confound the ear,
and when i'm tired on my legs,
sit down a woolsack peer;
in court and civil honor,
so great a man i'll be,
you'll forget the little lawyer,
that whistled for a fee. ' 16 june 1788
etching with hand-colouring. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 238 mm; Width: 142 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron of Alvanley. Collection: British Museum. Law Promotion, Master Dicky, a parody to the tune of the little ploughboy (BM 1867,0309.792)
Loading...
