Stages in the career of an Anglican cleric. Coloured etching by F.G. Byron, 1791, after G.M. Woodward.

London (No. 50 Oxford Street ) : Willm. Holland, Decembr. 8 1791.

1 print : etching, with watercolour ; image 42 x 64.5 cm

The clerical exercise. G.M. Woodward del. Etched by F.G.B.

The progress of a parson from entrance at a university to the attainment of a bishopric shown in twenty-seven isolated figures (arranged in three rows), each with an inscription. The first seven depict a slim young man in cap and gown

[1] Cock your cap : he stands with his gown trailing on the ground

[2] Handle your gown : the skirts of his gown are held up under his right arm

[3] Observe your step : he points a toe

[4] Display your learning : he holds out a book

[5] Approach your patron : he bows low, cap in hand

[6] Ask for a living : he stands full face, cap in hand, making a deprecating gesture

[7] Take leave of your patron : he bows low, right hand on breast, with a complacent smile

[8] Get ordain'd : he stands full face, a slightly stouter figure, hands on hips, wearing gown and bands

[9] Take possession : he stands in profile to the right wearing fashionable riding-dress and looking through an eye-glass, his hat and riding-switch under his right arm

[10] Inspect the tithes : he stands, plainly dressed, holding a long document

[11] Pocket the cash : he stands looking with satisfaction at a handful of coins, his right hand in his breeches pocket

[12] Profess humility : he stands, fashionably dressed, with downcast eyes, his hands crossed on his breast

[13] Follow the hounds : he stands, wearing riding-dress, in a rollicking attitude, a whip in his right hand, left arm outstretched

[14] Poise your gun : he stands holding a cocked gun in both hands, a game-bag slung across his shoulders

[15] Purchase your sermon : he stands holding an open pamphlet, a coin in his left hand (perhaps an allusion to the customers of the Rev. John Trusler, who published sermons in engraved script to resemble handwriting which could be read in the pulpit and so save the clergy the trouble of either composition or transcription. These were regarded with great disfavour)

[16] Drink your bumper : he stands with a bottle in his left hand, raising glass above his head

[17] Smile at the squire : he smiles insinuatingly, striking a graceful attitude, and holding out his hat

[18] Make love to his daughter : he kneels on one knee with clasped hands, gazing upwards

[19] Display your cambric : he stands in gown and bands (for the first time except for no. 8), looking up, mouth wide open as if preaching, a handkerchief in his left hand

[20] Shew your ring : another preacher's gesture, with right hand held out displaying a large ring on his fourth finger

[21] Wear a wig : he stands with a severe expression, wearing a wig and gown. From this point onwards he wears a short bushy wig and has acquired a sober, middle-aged appearance

[22] Rail at luxury : he stands full face, with upturned eyes; he is becoming obese

[23] Collect your dues : he stands, wearing spectacles, with outstretched hand, one hand in his coat-pocket

[24] Preach with spirit : he declaims with raised hands, his gown flying out behind him

[25] Look out for a bishoprick : he peers into a newspaper through his spectacles

[26] Attend a levee : he stands in a gown, stout and pompous, holding his hat

[27] Sit down a bishop : he sits, gross, corpulent, and ugly, in an armchair, wearing a mitre and lawn sleeves, his hands placed arrogantly on his knees.

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, vol. VI, 1938, no. 8031, pp. 874-875

Wellcome Collection 37549i

Description of individual scenes is based on the British Museum catalogue record by M.D. George, loc. cit.