The First Day of Term - or, The Devil among the Lawyers, Robert Dighton, between 1775 and 1785

Satire: the devil stands scattering lucrative briefs among a crowd of lawyers, while an elderly countryman in the foreground hands over gold coin to one who accepts the case of 'gaffer flatscull agt. Ralph clodpole', on the ground lies a packet of papers wrapped in red tape and lettered 'began in1699 not yet finished in chancery'. C. 1780 hand-coloured mezzotint. Date: between 1775 and 1785. Dimensions: Height: 343 mm; Width: 250 mm. Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. The First Day of Term - or, The Devil among the Lawyers (BM 1935,0522.1.100)