Images - from art of the print

Modern Grace,-or-the Operatical Finale to the Ballet of Alonzo e caro not only depicts a popular ballet of the day but three actual dancers. In the centre is the French ballet dancer, Charles Louis Didelot. To his sides are his wife, Rose Didelot, and the ballerina, Madame Parisot. Madame Parisot is diverting the attentions of Charles with her amply displayed breast. Mrs. Didelot is not amused. To complete the composition James Gillray has added a pair of wonderfully chubby ballerinas in the background.

James Gillray's "So Skiffy Skipt On, With His Wonted Grace" 'Skiffy' was Sir Lumley St. George Skeffington (1771-1850), a well known playwright and fop of the day. He belonged to the Carleton House circle and authored such plays as 'The Word of Honour', 'The High Road to Marriage' and 'The Sleeping Beauty'. He was both caricatured by Gillray and satirized by Lord Byron. In his delightful portrayal, James Gillray focuses upon Skiffy's resplendent attire.

George Cruikshank's Anglo - Gallic Salutations in London - or, Practice makes Perfect is one of a number of his commentaries upon relations among English, French and German language and culture in the early nineteenth century. Not long after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo inter Continental travel became quite widespread. With the resumption of peace fascination with foreign culture reached a peak. Members of both the emerging middle class and the upper class devoted themselves to perfecting language. Thus in this delightful etching two German visitors in London practice their skills outside 'The Original White Bear Inn' --"Gode a Morning Sare, did it rain tomorrow? -- Yase it vas." 1816.

George Cruikshank - Anglo - Parisian Salutations or, Practice par Excellence!: Not long after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo inter Continental travel became quite widespread. With the resumption of peace fascination with foreign culture reached a peak and members of both the emerging middle class and the upper class devoted themselves to learning languages. Thus in this delightful George Cruikshank etching, two English visitors adorned in the latest fashions in Paris practice their skills outside the 'Hotel des Fermes' --"Commong porty wous Munseer? -- O Oui -- il est un tres belle jour!.". 1816

George Cruikshank's most famous creations of satire were undoubtedly his Monstrosities, which were published annually from 1816 to 1828. Both Robert and George Cruikshank participated in these amazing observations of the latest ridiculous fashions. Among the many wonderful 'monstrosities' in this famous etching the overly attired woman to the immediate right of the peacock-like soldier would by itself make this image a masterpiece.

'Monstrosities of 1819 and 1820' is an original etching by George Cruikshank and published initially in 1819 and 1920. This impression was published by Thomas McLean for the second and final edition, 1835.

George Cruikshank's set of two original etchings titled "The Advantages of Travel; - or - 'A Little Learning is a Dangerous Thing'" satirizes both French and English tourists and how, in a very small period of exposure to a foreign climate, they manage to perfectly maul a language.

In the first etching George Cruikshank created for "The Advantages of Travel..." a native of Paris has just arrived from England and is greeted by a friend; "Comment se porte mon amie? - Moi - I am jost come from de England - Aha you vas jost come from de England! Den how you like de Bif? - Le Bif rote is charmant a Londres! Yase dat is vrai - bote je prepare le Rum-Tek! - Le Rum-Tek! vat is de Rum Tek? - Voyez vous - it is toujours de Bif Tek - mais-bote-day-call it Rum tek -ba-cause day pote de Rum in de Sauce."

In the second and final etching George Cruikshank created for "The Advantages of Travel..." the tables have turned, with two Londoners discussing the merits of French cooking; "Ah Jack - How are ye? - Devilish well- just crost the water - been to Paris! - Well & how did ye like the Cooking? - Confounded good - 'pon my soul - Liked their Harrico-Blong- best -- What's Harrico Blong? - What's Harrico Blong! Why you know what Harrico - is don't ye? - To be sure - It's mutton chops & carrots & turnips -- with wedgables -- Very well then! That's it & Blong -you know's the name of the first Cook as made it. -- Oh - aye ---- so it is ---I remember now !!"

These two original George Cruikshank etchings are printed upon early nineteenth century wove paper and with large, full margins as published by Thomas McLean, Haymarket in 1835.