Future Prospects or Symptoms of Love in High Life, 31 May 1796
Scope and Contents
The Prince of Wales (right), rising from his chair, kicks over a tea-table, the crockery sliding to the ground, and lying broken on the floor. The Princess sits on a settee on the opposite side of the table, her infant in her arms. She is comely, and melancholy, with downcast eyes, and plainly dressed except for the three feathers in her hair. Behind the Prince (right), Lord Jersey, with horns on his head, opens a door, pointing behind him to Lady Jersey, who lies on a sofa in an indecorous attitude. He says: "My Wife is waiting for you in the next room". The Prince grasps a document in each hand; the inscription on one has been erased, on the other (left) it is 'Thoughts on Despotism'. From his coat-pocket issues 'A Map of Jersey', under his feet are papers: 'Joe the Dustman', 'The History of Kings', 'Marriage a La Mode', 'The Tender Husband a Farce'. He says: "Marriage has no restraints on me! no Legal tie can bind the will - tis free & shall be so ------ ". The Princess says: "Obey, Alass the Task's Seviere how can the Female Mind with pleasure yield when every look's a Frown!!! Alass poor Babe!!!". On the wall is a picture of the King and Queen on horseback, with a signpost pointing to Windsor, apparently copied from 'The Constant Couple', except that the Queen is in back view, her head turned to the King. On the frame: 'The little Wants, dislikes, preferences, antipathies, fancies, whims, & even impertinence of Women must be officiously attended to, flattered & if possible guesed at, and anticipated by a well bred Man.' Hand-coloured etching. Description from the British Museum.
Dates
- Creation: 31 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
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
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