Pigmy revels (BM 1948,0214.603)

Plate 2. The subjects include the long-winded parson, the incompetent barber, the boastful soldier, the lawyer, the 'cit' and dancing-master, the doctor, the board of excise. The lawyer says: "I maintain it Sir - the Law, is equally open to the poor as to the Rich -", the answer: "So is the London Tavern, if you have the Money to pay for it!" The original remark was by Judge Ashhurst, [In his famous Charge to the Grand Jury of Middlesex, 19 Nov. 1792, on the perfection of government where 'no Man is so high as to be above the Reach of the Law, and no Man so low as not to be within its Protection'.] the repartee is attributed by Rogers to Horne Tooke ('Table Talk', 1887, p. 125). Another familiar remark here illustrated is that of the African slave who answers "One thing at a time Massa if you please, - if you floggee - floggee - if you preachee preachee - but no preachee and ftoggee too" (illustrated by G. Cruikshank 1819; Reid, No. 926). 9 November 1800

Hand-coloured etching