A grotesque general in uniform with a huge head and a small body, which dwindles from shoulders to waist, stands full-face, right hand resting on a cane, left on his hip. He wears a wide cocked hat, lank hair and spectacles, and his dress is old-fashioned, with high-quartered shoes. His eyebrows are raised and his mouth pulled down in a melancholy and burlesque grimace. Beneath the title:
'of all the great generals europe can boast
in her annals of war - in times present and past
none so handy each season to call to his post
as that meagre old general - general fast' 4 may 1796. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1796. Dimensions: Height: 306 mm; Width: 215 mm. Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. General Fast (BM 1981,U.212)
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