print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.8320
- Title
- Object: A Brighton hot bath, or preparations for the wedding!!
- Description
-
Prince Leopold, in an oval bath-tub filled with water and surrounded by steam, undergoes treatment by the Queen, the Regent, Lord Eldon, and McMahon. Queen Charlotte (left), a large kettle in each hand, pours boiling water upon the sufferer, saying, "Aye theres the Rub" ; she grins delightedly and is much burlesqued; she wears a short petticoat and apron, and a hat with a curtain-frill. Behind her is a kitchen fire, on which stand a third kettle and a boiler with a tap. Eldon uses his Chancellor's wig to scrub the victim, saying, "out! out! damn'd spot out I say!" On his own head is a turban. The Regent stands behind Prince Leopold's head pouring into his mouth the contents of a tube-shaped bottle labelled 'Quintessence of Roses to sweeten the Breath'; he says: "More hot Water!! I'm afraid he's not half clean, I recollect I was served this way myself some twenty years ago." He has a gouty leg and supports himself on a crutch. Prince Leopold exclaims: "For heaven's sake Gentlemen Try all you can to help me out of this unpleasant business & send me to WALES as soon as possible I have had Rubbing enough." His words obscure the head of a statue of 'Mercury' pointing his caduceus towards the Regent (cf. No. 7592). Beside the Regent a tiny McMahon stands on a stool combing the Prince's lank hair; he exclaims: "Delay the Marriage he's not yet ready!" Behind and on the extreme right stand three huge bottles; one with a funnel in the mouth is labelled 'Sarsaparilla Decoction', another 'Decoction'. Beside them is a gigantic box of 'Pills'. Various objects are strewn in the foreground. A cat stands on the bridegroom's breeches, which lie on the ground beside his busby and coat. Three papers are inscribed respectively: 'Ovids Art of Love'; 'Aristotles master-Piece'; 'Royal assent to the marriage of Prince Leopold with Charlotte of Wales—Grant of 60,000 Per annm from Parlit' [see No. 12754]. A. large German sausage on a dish with a chain of small sausages is labelled: 'A German Sausage for my intended Wife Newly dress'd & Cook'd up in the best manner'. Beside this are the Prince's (Hessian) boots and stockings. On the wall (left) is a picture: 'Battle Royal': Prince Leopold, using a German sausage, and Princess Charlotte, retaliating with a pair of bellows, fight for a pair of breeches (cf. No. 12771).
1816
Hand-coloured etching
- Production date
- 1816
- Dimensions
-
Height: 251 millimetres
-
Width: 352 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', IX, 1949)
A coarse satire on the approaching marriage, see No. 12748.
Reid, No. 579. Cohn, No. 955.
(Supplementary information)
Dated by M. D. George, Apr. 1816.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
1997 Jun-Sep, London, Museum of London, 'In Royal Fashion'
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.8320