Title from item.
Library's copy closely trimmed within plate mark.
Gustavus Katterfelto walking rapidly, in profile to the right, leaning forward under the weight of a peep-show or magic lantern strapped to his shoulders. He wears military uniform, his hat decorated with the skull and cross-bones of the Death's Head Huzzars in which he claimed to have served. At his left side hangs an enormous sabre, its scabbard inscribed '100000000000 Caterpillars slain in one year'. In his hat is a curious erection, three folds of which are visible, inscribed respectively, 'Geography', 'Opticks', and 'Astronomy'. Below the first is a hemisphere or circular map, below the second, three pairs of double eye-glasses, below the third another map in a circle. In his right hand he carries an electrical implement. It is inscribed 'Gentle Restorer'. In his left hand is a bag inscribed '5000 English Guineas'. His magic lantern is inscribed 'Lady Catarena'; from its lens rays are spreading, inscribed 'Wonders, Wonders, Wonders'; the rays strike on three insects of fantastic appearance, probably representing the objects which he was accustomed to show through his microscope. (In an advertisement in the 'Morning Post', July 1782, he says, that by its aid those insects which caused the late influenza will be seen as large as a bird; and in a drop of water the size of a pin's head will be seen 50,000 insects. Sampson, 'Hist. of Advertising', p. 404.) Other rays project behind him from his coat-tails and his hat, the former inscribed 'Physic & Philosophy', the latter 'Fire'. He is saying, "Galante Show, here be de Death of Philosophy & de Glory of Legerdemain, here be de Vonders of all the Kings in Europe, Asia, Africa & America." He is followed by his wife and children, who are on a smaller scale. The woman holds a doll-like little girl in each arm, a little boy walks behind her clutching at her garments. All four have small horns growing from their foreheads and cloven feet. The woman, who is plainly dressed, says "Be good children, & you shall both go to Germany & ride in the Coach". The two children say "Aynt my Daddy a Cunning Man, Mammy? and Ayn't de Englishmen great Fools Mammy?" The little boy says "Is my Daddy a Devil, Mammy?"