Twelve standing figures arranged in two rows, their words etched above their heads. [1] a fat and prosperous citizen smoking a long pipe, smoke puffing from the corners of his mouth and his nostrils: 'i will be bound - with a dozen of our club and a proper allowance of fire, and the best virginia, to smoke the french mounseers from dover to calais, in the turning of a tobacco stopper, who's afraid?' (cf. Bmsat 8220). The others, who make similar boasts of their ability to resist an invasion are: [2] a shambling journeyman tailor who speaks in the name of 'all united taylors'. [3] a ragged cobbler, knock-kneed to deformity, who is also a preacher, cf. Bmsat 8026. [4] a 'loyal gypsy' with an (unnecessary) wooden leg. [5] a young woman (? mrs. Concannon) as one of the 'host of faro, prepared to batter the enemy, with the remnants of our reputations!' [6] a badly maimed officer, on stumps, with amputated right arm. [7] a doctor prepared to use his 'patent pills' on the enemy. [8] a billingsgate virago. [9] a yokel: 'they had better keep away from our village. For i believe in my heart, the very turkies would rise in a mass against them, who's afraid. ' [10] a foppish apprentice: 'i am a tight dashing fresh water sailor; - keep a funny row to putney every sunday - let me catch them above bridge - thats all. Who's afraid. ' [11] an attorney prepared to present his bill to the enemy. [12] a stout man wearing a hat stands in back view, legs astride, coat-tails raised as if with his back to the fire: 'lets teach em good manners d------mme who's afraid?' 21 november 1796
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1796. Dimensions: Height: 331 mm; Width: 464 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Mrs Concannon. Collection: British Museum. Who's afraid or the Effects of an Invasion!! (BM 1917,1208.4111)
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