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Long Expected Come at Last or John Bull Disapointed at his Crippled Visitor, 3 April 1802

 Item — Box: LF104/6 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/6/73

Scope and Contents

By Charles Williams. Peace, a sadly crippled young woman, supported on a crutch, advances from the left towards John Bull and his wife. Her right arm, withered, and broken at the wrist, is in a sling inscribed 'Emperor of France Spain Holland Italy Switzerland &c &c.' Over her right eye is a patch inscribed 'Malta'. Her skirt is pinned up revealing a wooden leg: 'Cape of Good Hope'; on her back are two bundles: 'Ceylon' and 'Trinidad'. She says: "Here I am Johnny, Arrived at last, like to have been lost at Sea, - Poles of the Chaise broke at Dover, Springs of the next Chaise gave way at Canterbury & one of the Horses fell & overturned the other Chaise at Dartford, ah Johnny I wonder I have ever arrived at all". John (right), a loutish yokel in a smock, gapes at her, stooping with hands on knees. He says: "Odd's Niggins!!! Why is that you? have I been waiting all this time to be blessed with such a poor Ugly Crippled piece? and all you have brought with you is a quid of Tobacco and some Allspice" [products of Trinidad and Ceylon]. Mrs. Bull is the centre figure; she stands full face, with widely spreading petticoats, wearing straw hat, cloak and checked apron; a large basket of eggs on her arm. She looks at Peace with displeased surprize, saying, "Why John, be this she you have been talking so much about." Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: 3 April 1802

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

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