The word "coward in the caption title has been scratched over but remains clearly legible.
By James Gillray.
Print shows Lennox on a sofa, his pistol in his hand, looking up with a melancholy expression. Lady Charlotte Gordon holds a smelling-bottle to his nose while the Duke of Richmond regards his nephew anxiously. Lennox says: I had been happy, if the Gen'ral Camp Foot-soldiers, all, had pull'd my Nose in private, So it had not been told; O, now for ever Farewell the Plumed Troops & the big War, The spirit-stirring Drum & the ear piercing fife, The Royal Banner & all quality, Pride, Pomp, & Circumstance of glorious War Farewell! Your Hero's reputations gone! Lady Charlotte says: O my dear shiv'ring L. .. . x [These words have been ostensibly obliterated by cross-hatching which leaves them legible and makes them conspicuous.]! do compose yourself, for the sake of your dear Charlotte! Ah! that hot-blooded-fellow has fright'ned him into an Ague - come do take a sniff at your Charlotte's smelling-bottle, the Bonny Duchess says that my smelling Bottle is a nice Thing to raise a Man's courage, I long for you to take hold of it, my dear L ... x. Richmond says: Don't fret yourself my dear Nephew, [These words have been ostensibly obliterated by cross-hatching which leaves them legible and makes them conspicuous.] you have behaved like a Man of Spirit & Honor; - your putting up with a public Insult when you could have resented it, shews your magnanimity! your pretending not to remember the words of the insult, shews your harmless disposition! - your Letters to the Club, your good-sense! ... [etc.]. Pitt (left) looks round a door, saying: Heav'ns L . . . x [These words have been ostensibly obliterated by cross-hatching which leaves them legible and makes them conspicuous.] what's the matter? I hope you've succeeded in lessening the number of my Plagues.