Dog Tax Gatherers in Search of Puppies, 08 May 1796
Scope and Contents
By Isaac Cruikshank. Six groups arranged in two rows, the words etched above the head of the speaker. [1] Two tax-gatherers stand together (left), one pointing to a man walking in profile to the right, fashionably dressed except that he does not wear a sparrow-tail coat. One says, pointing, "Stand aside Neighbour - there's a Puppy, I'm sure". The other answers: "Dont be too rash - He has got never a Tail!" [2] A tax-collector walks off to the left holding a dog under his arm and followed by its irate and elderly owner, who raises her crutched stick to smite, saying: "Return my Property you Villain, or I'll knock you down". He says: "By virtue of my office, in cases of nonpayment, I have a right to retain this Animal as Private Property. I fancy I can dispose of him for about fifteen shillings." [3] A kneeling tax-collector, holding a bludgeon and an official paper, pulls out a terrified man from under the petticoats of a distressed lady, seated in a chair (right). He says: "I am sure Madam you have got a Puppy concealed somewhere - I saw him enter the premises - O you are there are you ? Creep out Sir if you please." [4] A tax-gatherer, spectacles on nose, and open book in hand, stoops towards a spitting cat standing on the knee of its mistress, a lean old maid with a small parrot perched on the back of her chair. She says: "I hope Sir the Tax. don't extend to my Poor Tabby." He answers: "Bless me how near sighted I am - I declare I thought it was a Lapdog". [5] A stout man, knife in hand, drags by the cravat a man fashionably dressed in dark clothes; he says to his colleague (right): "I am sure I am right now I caught him in Fops Alley at the Opera House." The other, who holds across his shoulder a number of dead dogs, answers: "Take care what you are about John or you will get us both into some confounded Scrape - That is a Parson." [6] A yokel in a smock eggs on a bulldog who springs at a collector (right). He says: "At Him again Towser - we'll teach you to come a Dog Tax gathering." The terrified collector says: "What the deuce are you about you have made me spill all my Japan Ink.". Hand-coloured etching. Description by The British Museum.
Dates
- Creation: 08 May 1796
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
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