An old Maid on a Journey / B. [compass pointing to the north] Esqr. delt.

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James Gillray
1756-1815
An old Maid on a Journey / B. [compass pointing to the north] Esqr. delt.
London : Publish'd November 20th 1804 by H Humphrey No 27 St James's Street, [1804]
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.329
Published: 
London : Publish'd November 20th 1804 by H. Humphrey No 27 St James's Street, [1804]
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Notes: 

By James Gillray after Brownlow North.

Summary: 

Print shows the arrival an ugly elderly woman at an inn, carrying a fan in her right hand and a lap-dog under her left arm. She wears a riding habit; over her straw hat is a hood or scarf. After her shambles a lean elderly man carrying an embroidery frame, bag, and box. Behind him is a man holding up a caged bird, to which he whistles grotesquely, while a cat ensconced in an alcove grabs at the cage. An immensely fat woman, holding a 'Bill of Fare', stands against the wall. The fat host, napkin in hand, ushers her towards the room, with pointing thumb; it is called 'the Ram', the adjacent door is placarded 'the Union'. Bell-wire meanders over the wall connected with bells belonging to the two rooms; both are jangling. Through the door is seen the sign of the inn: a cock on a pair of breeches.

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