Tierney (not caricatured) stands directed to the right, with left hand raised in reproof to the knife-grinder (right), who pushes his barrow with a shuffling gait. The latter's hat, coat, and breeches are torn and he has a fixed, insinuating grin. Behind him is the door of an alehouse, the sign of the chequers hanging from a beam inscribed 'best brown stout'. On the lintel is 'dealer in brandy rum & gin'. Tierney has short hair, wears a round hat, double-breasted coat, and half-boots, and holds a stick. Behind him a street recedes diagonally to the right, the nearest house inscribed 'tierney & liberty'. In front of this is a coach with an earl's coronet, and two footmen standing behind; a horseman advances towards it from the right. Beneath the title is etched in two columns the well-known parody of southey by frere and canning published in the second number of the 'anti-jacobin' (27 nov. ) [beginning, 'needy knife-grinder! whither are you going?'] the fourth verse begins '"(have you not read the rights of man, by tom paine?)'. Beside the verses: 'to the independent electors of the borough of southwark, this print is most respectfully dedicated -' 4 december 1797
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1797. Dimensions: Height: 365 mm; Width: 254 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Thomas Paine. Collection: British Museum. The friend of humanity and the knife-grinder,-Scene. The Borugh, in imitation of Mr Southey's Sapphics,-Vide. Anti-Jacobin, p. 15. (BM J,3.105 1)
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