Political sparring, for the amusement of English Spanish French and Dutch masters and misses, Isaac Cruikshank, 1790

A spanish don lies on the ground, guineas pouring from his pocket; he clutches his head, saying to an english sailor, who stands on the right looking down at him: "yow be very uncivil mr bowling i make a fine bow & not intend to yow & yow knock me down with your d------d head. " the sailor, who also clutches his forehead, has a bludgeon in his left hand; he answers: "d------n your paper sconce who taught yow to bow to a gemman yow lubber yow i'll tip yow the prince's bow [cf. Bmsat 7439] at elliots ball". A second sailor stands behind his friend (left) grinning, with both hands on his hips, holding a cudgel. He says "d------n my eyes, jack you've carried away his top gallant & made him mis stays & the [sic] patter him for a swab". Behind the spaniard stands a stout dutchman, smoking a pipe, his hands on his hips; he turns his head towards a foppish frenchman on the extreme right, who endeavours to pass him, and puffs smoke into his face. The frenchman says, "mynheer yow will not let me come bye to assist my cousin". The dutchman answers, "monsieur yow was not give me room to smoke". 9 september 1790 etching. Date: 1790. Dimensions: Height: 255 mm; Width: 344 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Hugh Elliot. Collection: British Museum. Political sparring, for the amusement of English Spanish French and Dutch masters and misses (BM 1868,0808.5958)