Charity begins at home, Robert Dighton, between 1764 and 1794

A stout parson (left) riding a good horse towards the spectators on a country road is accosted by a ragged sailor with a wooden leg who holds out his hat to beg. The parson, who is putting a flask to his mouth, scowls at the sailor. A country-girl (right) holding a basket of chickens, apparently for tithe, is counting some money, and a small boy has put down the basket he was carrying to search in his pocket. Although burdened with tithe they are more charitable than the well-to-do parson. C. 1780 etching with stipple. Date: between 1764 and 1794. Dimensions: Height: 203 mm (cropped); Width: 224 (cropped). Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. Charity begins at home (BM 1866,1114.651)