“Townsend, the Bow Street Officer, holding up his constable’s staff, chases a man away from a country house, a corner of which appears on the right. A third man, Wellesley-Pole, shelters behind the constable, stretching out his arms towards his fleeing rival; he turns his head to listen to a pretty young woman who stands on a small iron balcony immediately behind him, with an open sash-window behind her. She says: “Risk not thy Precious life my Love in bold encounter with that dareing Scott.” He answers: “no no my dear I’ll shelter me behind the arm of Justice, & hunt him from his Scent by one of the most famous Bull Dogs in the Kingdom, & teach him never never to Dare to woo the [sic] from my Longing Arms Oh thou Golden Angel.” A paper inscribed ‘Scot’ projects from the fugitive’s pocket. Townsend says: “I’ll teach you worsted working rascall to dare to set up in opposition to the Irish Secretary D-n your Impudence.” A signpost points (left) to ‘Norwhich’ and (right) ‘To Chippenham’.”–British Museum online catalogue.
- Printmaker: Heath, William, 1795-1840, printmaker.
- Title: Townsend the umpire of love, or, The Poled Scott hunted off after a long struggle [graphic].
- Publication: [London] : Pub. Jan. 7, 1812, by S.W. Fores, 50 Picadilli [sic], [7 January 1812]
812.01.07.01
Acquired February 2022
“Six French émigrés are grouped at the roadside beside a signpost (right) pointing (left) to ‘London’ and (right) to ‘Dover’. A lean and elderly woman holding a clipped poodle stands with her left hand in the arm of a man wearing a cocked hat with a tricolour cockade, and a long coat reaching almost to his ankles; he holds a tasselled cane. Next him is a stout man wearing a long cloak, and a boy or dwarfish man. On the right are two women holding large muffs. A second clipped poodle runs beside them. In the background a coach (right) inscribed ‘London Dover Canterbury’ is driving towards London with outside passengers; one, a sailor, waves his hat. The gable end of a cottage (left) and trees complete the background.”–British Museum online catalogue.