A Cockney & his wife going to Wycombe

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James Gillray
1756-1815
A Cockney & his wife going to Wycombe
London : Publish'd June 10th, 1805 by H Humphrey, 27 St James's Street, [1805]
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.647
Published: 
London : Publish'd June 10th, 1805 by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street, [1805]
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Notes: 

By James Gillray.
At right of title: "Vednesday was a veek, my Vife & I vent to Vest-Vycombe, vhether it vas the Vind, or vhether it vas the \ "Veather, - or Vat it vas! - ve vhip'd & vhip'd - & vhip'd! - & could not get off a Valk!---.
Library's copy on paper backing, trimmed to size.

Summary: 

Print shows a Cockney pair, seated in a gig and driving along a country road, preceded by a mongrel dog carrying a large bone. The man drives the miserable hack with the air of an expert, flicking a heavy lash over the animal's neck. He is smartly dressed with side-whisker, swathed neck-cloth, high collar, and top-boots. His almost spherical wife takes his arm. She holds a little closed parasol, and wears gloves above we elbow. On the side of the gig is a pestle and mortar, showing that the man is an apothecary. The emaciated and decrepit horse has broken knees and gaping wounds under the collar and harness; one pastern is swollen. A broken milestone at right is inscribed 'Miles from London'.

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