General gunning stands in profile to the right before the door of his house, a bludgeon in his hand, driving before him his wife and daughter both scantily clad, but the latter with feathers in her hair. On the left is a military officer (bowen) sheathing a sword in a broken sheath; mrs. Bowen stands behind him. From general gunning's pocket protrude papers: 'aff. By mr b' and 'am by mr b. ' he says "now i shall save a 1000 a year in housekeeping & keep as many - [whores] as i like. " miss gunning says "oh thus to be persecuted & rob'd of - all for lorn. " mrs. Gunning says "oh! my darling my angel fear not the machinations of these combind plotters while you have a mothers arms to support you". She points towards a woman's face at a window (? or in a picture) over which is etched: 'here my inosent shall you find a parants care to soothe your troubles & every honest means pursued to discover those base dark assas[sins]'. Bowen says "oh how they did run we have done the business". His wife says "aye aye clear off did not i do my part well. " 27 march 1791. Etching. Date: 1791. Dimensions: Height: 252 mm; Width: 400 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Adm James Bowen, Susannah Gunning, Elizabeth Gunning. Collection: British Museum. Symptoms of affection or a specimen of martial prowess (BM 1868,0808.6026)
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