A long headed assembly!! (BM 1865,1111.2045)

A design with much-burlesqued 'Lilliputian' figures with large heads, as BMSat 9635, &c, but grotesquely elongated as in BMSat 10604, &c In the foreground (l.) are four card-players at a round table lit by two candles. One man (l.) is in military uniform, with a pigtail, trousers and tied shoes; he and his partner (r.) are pleased: she says: "I lead trump"; he says: "A charming hand this time however". A man in back view wears an enormous bag-wig, the bag covering the back of his chair; he says: "Worse and worse". His melancholy partner says: "I never held such cards in my Life." Behind the lady on the r. stands a footman holding a salver with three tall glasses of wine; he yawns cavernously: "Ya, ha!" In the middle distance (r.) an bows to a lady who curtseys; he says: "I never saw your Ladyship look more beautiful will you take cards or dance." She answers: "Neither my Lord at Present." A cut-glass chandelier with four tall candles hangs above their heads. Behind is an ornate archway through which is seen a ball-room with a musicians' gallery and grotesque dancers. On the extreme right. is a side-table with decanters, candles, a stand of jelly-glasses. These small background figures and the table, with the inscriptions, are etched by G. Cruikshank. 26 September 1806
Hand-coloured etching