The scrutiny, or, Examination of the filth

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Phillips
active 1784
The scrutiny, or, Examination of the filth
etching & drypoint
plate mark: 187 x 260 mm; sheet: 192 x 267 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2654
Published: 
[London] : Publish'd by S. Fores, No. 3, Piccadilly, April 24, 1784.
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Printmaker from BM Satires.

Summary: 

Five men stand round six chamber-pots, arranged in two piles of three, each inscribed 'Poll Book 1784' and supported on a rectangular block or table on which the title is engraved. Each man holds his nose. One (left) in profile to the right, who holds a spoon, is vomiting; he says: "I already am sick Of this poisonous trick The busines so thick T'would weary old Nick With spoon or stick Right from wrong to pick." His vis-à-vis (right), who stirs the contents of a pot with a spoon, says: "The cause I may gain, Though with labour and pain I can hardly refrain From puking amain Thro such fillth for to tag Is wares [sic] than euphorbium bag" (an allusion to the bag thrown at Fox in Westminster Hall, see BMSat 6426, &c). The other three stand together behind the table; the central one says, "A hogo here is. Worse than Cats pis Than Devils Spew. Or Asafoetida." Two demons hold out a net which stretches behind the scrutineers. One (left) says: "Ay Brother and by my tail, The Sheriffs shall admit no bail." The other (right) says: "Spread the net and you shall see Many a false oath will come to me."

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