1812. _English Exhibitions in Paris, or French People astonished at our improvements in the Breed of Fat Cattle._
1812. _A Cat in Pattens._ Rowlandson invt.--Though thoroughly in Rowlandson's characteristic manner the scene is somewhat suggestive of Hogarth's plate of 'Morning,' 'Times of the Day,' in which the portrait of Miss Bridget Allworthy is exhibited, the introduction of whose burlesqued resemblance is said to have cost the painter the loss of a legacy. An old maid whose countenance certainly bears a close resemblance to that of a cat, is shuffling along in the breeze on pattens; she has a boa and an enormous muff; before her trots a French poodle, clipped fantastically to resemble a parody of a lion; behind her shivers a black page, in a tight gaudy uniform; under his arm is his mistress's umbrella, and he holds before him a bundle of cat's meat. A half-naked and ruffianly beggar is trying to excite the benevolence of this shrewish _Cat in Pattens_.
London: J. J. Stockdale, 41 Pall Mall, Feb. 12, 1812. 4to.
The argument upon which the story is founded is set forth in the following 'advertisement':--
_'Dublin Castle. The Adventure of the Under Petticoat at the Castle Drawing Room. "Honi soit qui mal y pense."_ All the world has been amused with the singular disaster that befel a lady on Thursday night last at the _Viceregal Palace_, by the loss of her under petticoat, which, from the pressure of the crowd, unfortunately slipped down through the capacious encumbrance of her hoop, and was soon trampled on the floor--though likely to become as renowned as Penelope's web: for the lady to whom it belonged lost by night the comfort and protection that was her security by day. One of the young pages (who are always peeping and bustling on such occasions) first made the discovery. The trophy was soon displayed in order to find out the fair owner; which, however, still remains a secret, except to the person immediately concerned. But, like the shield of Achilles, the little petticoat soon became the subject of admiration and contention.
'At the first impression the master of the ceremonies claimed the prize, as his official perquisite, alleging it was dropped in the _Presence Chamber_. But the Chamberlain insisted the drawing-room was his _champ d'or_, and every windfall on such occasions his exclusive property. That as a true knight he must take up the gauntlet thus thrown down by a lady.
