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1613371135

Description

John Campbell, the precentor of the Canongate Church (see BMSat 5894), stands full-face, singing loudly from a paper which he holds, surrounded by others making discordant music, while three asses bray and a dog howls. His brother, Alexander Campbell (left), stands in profile to the right, turning the handle of an organ which is strapped to his back. Facing him (right) is Baillie Duff (see BMSat 6689) playing the Highland bagpipe. Behind the precentor the city fish-horn blower (employed by the fishmongers to announce with his horn that fish were in the market) blows his horn, and a blind Irish piper, Meek, plays his pipes. In the background (right) a man standing in a saw-pit sharpens his saw. The bodies of the asses are cut off by the left and right margins of the print. Beneath the design is etched:

'Let Puppy's bark and Asses bray,
Each Dog and Cur will have his day,' 1786
Etching

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