Caption title.
Attribution to Cruikshank from BM Satires.
Possibly a satire on the discomfiture of the Prince by the King's recovery and the withdrawal of the Regency Bill (cf. British Museum online catalog); the caricature was inspired in part by the famous fencing match between Chevalier d'Eon and the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, which took place at Carlton House on April 9, 1787, and was memorialized in a painting of the event by Alexandre-Auguste Robineau (1747-1828). The match was attended by numerous members of high society including the Prince of Wales. A number of popular prints produced after Robineau's painting served to further familiarize the public with the event, as well as with the two notable figures who were its primary participants.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.
Print shows a boxing scene (two couples): the Prince of Wales and Hanger are worsted by Chevalier d'Eon and the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. In the foreground (right) Hanger staggers backwards under the attack of St. George; his hat and bludgeon are on the ground beside him. St. George says, "Now in de Mouth, den in de Eye, & den where you like." Behind and on the left the Prince stands limply in front of an arched doorway. The Chevalier d'Eon, in profile to the left, faces the Prince with clenched fists. D'Eon wears a black gown, frilled muslin mob cap, and fichu, with ruffled elbow sleeves, and says "vill you have de toder Stroke". The Prince, putting his right hand to his eye, says, "no no I find I cant Stand up to yow now I'm done, Oh! my Eye." His feathered hat is at his feet. Behind him is the curving baluster of a descending staircase. On the wall is the inscription: Gentlemen and Ladies Taught the polite Arts of Boxing, Fencing &c &c by------George & ------D'Eon. On the left hang two crossed foils with a pair of fencing-masks. On the right is a picture of St. George in classical draperies riding down an ass which he transfixes with his spear.