The Rape of Helen, 19 April 1792
Scope and Contents
Engraving (coloured impression) by Isaac Cruikshank. A man runs rapidly (Ieft to right) carrying on his shoulders the fat Mrs. Hobart, who crouches in a horizontal position, her arms outstretched, her petticoats revealing massive legs. She wears one of the small hats with high cylindrical crowns trimmed with ribbon then fashionable. Paris wears a laurel wreath. Both are in profile to the right. Behind the corner of a house in 'St James's Square' is indicated, with an open window from which a grinning man watches the rape through a small telescope. Paris, who takes a long stride, says, 'Give me three Golden George's or by my mother Moon I'll cause another Trojen War, & set the square in Arms. Pharoah Sturt, & all the host shall be engaged. & drowned in the Black hole'. She screams, "Murder fire Thieves, My Bank is Lost & this Stark Mad Man would ravish me also, Oh Pharaoh, Moses, Help, or I shall suffer like my Sister Helen". Below the title is etched: 'NB. It is very well understood that the object of Paris in this recent Attempt was not the Three Guineas but the fair Helens Self'. Mrs. Hobart, like Mrs. Sturt, kept a notorious faro-table for her guests, always a source of income to the holder of the bank. Her town house was at the corner of St. James's Square and Charles Street. (Information from Mr. Robert Cust.) Partial description from Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires Vol. VI. 8166.
Dates
- Creation: 19 April 1792
Conditions Governing Access
Available by appointment in our Reading Room
Extent
1 Item(s)
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
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