The English balloon 1784. (BM 1868,0808.5400)

A balloon in the form of a face with ears and wearing a fool's cap, as in BMSat 6701, is rising from the ground. On the front of the cap is the title of the print. An aeronaut stands in the circular basket manipulating a pair of wings and leaning over to look at the ground. A coiling rope hangs from the balloon. The balloon is tilted and the face looks down grinning at the crowd which is standing on rooftops. A dome (probably St. Paul's) and spire are visible. The figures, though minute and slightly sketched, are well characterized. Two shout through speaking-trumpets. Beneath is etched:

'Since air Ballooning is the Ton among the Higher Folk

A Middle Class may take it up and Turn it to a Joke.

And a joking we will go &c

By Complaisance and French Balloons, Gay Gallias Flighty Sons

Next year 'mongst other pretty Toys, may Smuggle over Nuns

And a joking we will go &c.

Then Justice P------[? Pitt] may take it up, as matter of Great weight

Or lay a New and Heavy Tax on ev'ry Thing thats Light

And a joking &c

Pray drop your jokes ye naughty Men some pretty Ladies say

For Modesty can't bear a joke, but in a Middle way,

And a joking &c

Yet in a joke 'a Tale to tell may fill them with surprise

If Men find Gas for their Balloons, in time they'd Quick arise

And a joking we will go

The Graces now may take the Ball, let them the Point Discuss

Who with their pretty Lilly Hands have strok'd Lunardi's Puss

And a joking we will go

How Vain Philosophers will Prate, how Vain is all our Trouble

This World like Keegans Huge Balloon is nothing but a Bubble.' 1784

Aquatint and etching, heading to etched verses

satirical print great britain british museum british art satirical prints in the british museum william pitt the younger

1784

British Museum

https://www.britishmuseum.org/

public domain