Defending national hono'r (BM 1868,0808.4750)

A sow is rubbing herself against the base of a wooden lamppost. A Highlander (right), in tartan kilt and plaid with a feathered cap, raises his sword and is about to strike the animal, saying "No national reflection yea auld Bitch". A coachman standing behind the Scot raises his whip, saying "Ill cool your Pride Sawney". The scene is the road at Hyde Park Corner, showing wall, buildings (left), pavement, and part of the road in the foreground. On the left of the lamp-post are spectators: a woman in cloak and hat carrying a bundle, says "Well don Jehu". A fat woman beside her says "Heaven deliver us from Evel". Two little boys stand together, one says to the other, a chimney-sweep, "Tom will crack his Lice". A carter with a whip, wearing a smock, says "egad he has him". Another man (left) says, "Well don Tom give him a cooler".
Beneath the title is etched, "Once upon a time as the Historian relates Sr Andrew Mc Ire in his peregrination near Hydepark-Corner, where an old Sow was rubbing her scabby sides against a Lamppost: It so enraged the valiant Knigth [sic] that old Bess should partake, or cast reflections on his Country's pleasures ; with great wrath drew his Andrewfararara to avenge that Affront; but the happy incident of Tom the hackney Coachmans Whip prevented the tremendious [sic] blow - so saved poor Bess". 14 February 1781

Etching