THOMAS ROWLANDSON (1757-1827)
Yorkshire Hieroglyphics!! Plate 1.
8 Mar 1809RCIN 810753
A hand-coloured print of a love letter from the Duke of York to his mistress Mrs Clarke written in pictograms ('hieroglyphs'). It paraphrases the Duke's first letter to Mrs Clarke:
The Duke of York’s 1st letter to Mrs Clarke,
Weymouth Augst 4 1804
My dear little angel
How can I sufficiently express to My sweetest darling Love the delight which your dear dear pretty letter gave me, or how do Justice to the emotion it excited. Millions and Millions of thanks for it my angel and be assured that my heart is wholly fixed on your affection I am mighty hurt my love that you did not go down to Lewes races. It was kind of you to think of me on the occasion, but you know me too well to allege that I could think of adding to the sacrifice which I am to sensible you have made to me. News, my angel, you cannot expect from me from hence for he life I lead here is in the family and I am hurrying them to us that I may the sooner return to clasp my angel in my arms. Except Lord Chesterfield’s family there is not a person here but ourselves that I know. Last night the play went off better than the night before. Dr O’Meara gave me your letter. He wishes to preach be[fore] Royalty and I shall endeavour to procure him the occasion what a long time it is my Darling since we parted I shall long for Wednesday sennight that I may return to my angels arms.
Adieu
Yours and yours alone
Inscribed in the plate: Pubd March 8 1809 by Thos Tegg No 111 Cheapside
Bibliographic reference(s)
BM Satires : Catalogue of political and personal satires preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum ... 11 v. in 12. BM Satires 11244