General Cheathem's Marvellous Return from His Exhibition of Fire Works

Thomas Tegg|Thomas Rowlandson

September 24, 1809 · Hand-colored etching · Drawings and Prints

At left, Lord Chatham, with his sword drawn, flies across the Channel towards the English coast on a wooden horse with feathered wings. Chatham addresses John Bull and his wife who stand on the shore (right) looking up at him: "Here I am my Dear Johnny escaped from Fire, Water, Plague, Pestilence & Famine My Fireworks have given general Satisfaction abroad,—I must now Couch on a bed of Roses— and hope when I awake to be rewarded with a Pension and Dukedom for brilliant Services." John holds out a cudgel, clenches his fist, and responds: "General Cheathem flying back as I foretold garnish'd with dross and Dutch Metal Where is the Ten Million of British Bullion you Scarecrow—the Sinking Fund suits your talents better than Sinking of Ships". His wife, holding up a parasol, exclaims: "Lord Mr Bull what a Man of Mettle it is." A small ship heads toward the shore at right, with a sail inscribed "Commodore Cur-Tis." Curtis waves his hat and shouts: "A New Contract for Mouldy Buisciuts—Expeditions for ever Huzza."

Artist

Thomas Tegg|Thomas Rowlandson

Date

September 24, 1809

Medium

Hand-colored etching

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959