A design in two adjacent circles, with inscriptions abo ve and below the circles on an aquatinted ground. In the manner of genre, not satire. [1] the kitchen of a young english farmer who sits with his arm round a little boy (right) who stands at his knee eating an apple, while his pretty wife (left) holds out a buxom child to kiss him. He holds a sickle. A dog sits at his feet. Behind (right), before a blazing fire, a young woman places a sirloin of beef upon a round table, laid for a meal, with a large pitcher beside it. A pestle and mortar and other brass utensils are neatly ranged on the chimney-piece, beside which is a spit. A ham and string of onions hang on the wall. Through an open door (left) are a hen and chickens, two pigs feeding in a stye, and a haystack. The title continues: 'prosperity & domestick-happiness. '
[2] a young farmer lies stabbed to the heart by a bayonet, surrounded by his despairing and terrified wife and three children. Behind (right) is a ruined house. In the background (left) french soldiers are driving off sheep and cattle, and a village (right) is in flames. Behind is the sea with ships of war at anchor. The title continues: 'invasion, massacre & desolation. '
above the two circles: 'suck britain was! - such flanders, spain, holland, now is!' between them: 'from such a sad reverse o gracious god, preserve our country!!' below them is etched: 'to the people & the parliament of great-britain, this print is dedicated, by the crown & anchor society. "cursed be the man who owes his greatness to his country's ruin!!!!!' 12 january 1795. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1795. Dimensions: Height: 315 mm; Width: 376 mm. Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. The Blessing of Peace, - The curses of war. (BM 1851,0901.714)
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