A scene on the poop of a man-of-war. A lean and shambling civilian, his hat tied on by a spotted handkerchief, clutches the coat-tail of a sailor to say: "my dear friend - i understand you are captain of this here ship - and they says a how the enemy, is in sight - now could not you put the ship a little on one side, and not be too ventersome - its the best way to be a little cautious - i am but a poor weaver - but however life is sweet. " the sailor (r. ) (dressed as in bmsat 10894) holds a cudgel, has a quid of tobacco in his cheek, and points with his left hand to the right. He glares fiercely at the weaver, saying, "why you paltry land lubber do you want me to run away? - but however i never bear malice so i'll give you a little comfort - before i would strike to an enemy d'ye see - i would blow the vessel up in the air - so before you could turn a chaw of tobacco you would be out of your misery. " behind (l. ) two sailors man a gun. On the deck (r. ) is a pile of cannon-balls. ? 1807
hand-coloured etching. Date: between 1800 and 1810. Dimensions: Height: 241 mm (cropped); Width: 342 mm (cropped). Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. Nautical comfort! (BM 1872,1012.5017)
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