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General Cheathem's Marvellous Return from His Exhibition of Fire Works

Publisher Thomas Tegg British
September 24, 1809
Not on view
At left, Lord Chatham, with his sword drawn, flies across the Channel towards the English coast on a wooden horse with feathered wings. Chatham addresses John Bull and his wife who stand on the shore (right) looking up at him: "Here I am my Dear Johnny escaped from Fire, Water, Plague, Pestilence & Famine My Fireworks have given general Satisfaction abroad,—I must now Couch on a bed of Roses— and hope when I awake to be rewarded with a Pension and Dukedom for brilliant Services." John holds out a cudgel, clenches his fist, and responds: "General Cheathem flying back as I foretold garnish'd with dross and Dutch Metal Where is the Ten Million of British Bullion you Scarecrow—the Sinking Fund suits your talents better than Sinking of Ships". His wife, holding up a parasol, exclaims: "Lord Mr Bull what a Man of Mettle it is." A small ship heads toward the shore at right, with a sail inscribed "Commodore Cur-Tis." Curtis waves his hat and shouts: "A New Contract for Mouldy Buisciuts—Expeditions for ever Huzza."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: General Cheathem's Marvellous Return from His Exhibition of Fire Works
  • Artist: Thomas Rowlandson (British, London 1757–1827 London)
  • Publisher: Thomas Tegg (British, London 1776–1846 London)
  • Published in: London
  • Date: September 24, 1809
  • Medium: Hand-colored etching
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 9 9/16 × 13 5/8 in. (24.3 × 34.6 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
  • Object Number: 59.533.1235
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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