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One of a set of eight plates
Cobbett had tried to join the Navy in 1782 but was rejected on the (false) supposition that he was trying to escape a forced marriage with a girl he had seduced. He did enlist under Fitzgerald's 54th regiment (not 51st as suggested in the text below) but was discharged in 1791

The life of William Cobbett, - written by himself

1 print : etching ; platemark 27.5 x 22 cm.

William Cobbett dressed as a farmer marches out of step towards the sea behind a recruiting serjeant and a drummer-boy. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

Cobbett is shown proposing a toast of "damnation to the House of Brunswick", the others reply, "huzza". On the floor Wardle vomits on a sheet of "charges against the Duke of York"
The persons shown are listed below in this catalogue record
On the wall is a portrait of Napoleon I, also busts of Despard with a noose around his neck and Robespierre with two daggers

1 print : etching ; platemark 28.5 x 21.9.

William Cobbett is joined by six drunkards who applaud his toast of "damnation to the House of Brunswick"; representing British parliamentary reform. Etching by J. Gillray, ca. 1809.

One of a set of eight plates
Cobbett had become a successful writer by this time but had published an article on severe flogging within the army which eventually in 1810 brought him a two year sentence of imprisonment but he tried to escape punishment as is indicated in this scene

1 print : etching ; platemark 28.4 x 22.3 cm.

Three officers stand at the bar in a high panelled hall crowded with people within the Chelsea hospital as William Cobbett escapes in a boat in the distance seen through an open door. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

1 print : etching ; platemark 28.5 x 22.4 cm.

William Cobbett dressed as a Serjeant-Major furtively copies regimental documents in a room with a bolted door assisted by Corporal Bestland. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

Cobbett started his 'Weekly political register' in 1802 in which he frequently attacked politicians and politics of the day. His articles were often met with criticism for their harshness. A copy of his register is in flames on the floor in reference to this
One of a set of eight plates

1 print : etching ; platemark 28.4 x 22.4 cm.

William Cobbett surrounded by flames and beset by ghosts and the devil starts back in his chair overturning his writing-table and dropping his pen. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

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William Cobbett dressed as a farmer marches out of step towards the sea behind a recruiting serjeant and a drummer-boy. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

William Cobbett is joined by six drunkards who applaud his toast of "damnation to the House of Brunswick"; representing British parliamentary reform. Etching by J. Gillray, ca. 1809.

Three officers stand at the bar in a high panelled hall crowded with people within the Chelsea hospital as William Cobbett escapes in a boat in the distance seen through an open door. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

William Cobbett dressed as a Serjeant-Major furtively copies regimental documents in a room with a bolted door assisted by Corporal Bestland. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

William Cobbett surrounded by flames and beset by ghosts and the devil starts back in his chair overturning his writing-table and dropping his pen. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

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William Cobbett dressed as a farmer marches out of step towards the sea behind a recruiting serjeant and a drummer-boy. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

William Cobbett is joined by six drunkards who applaud his toast of "damnation to the House of Brunswick"; representing British parliamentary reform. Etching by J. Gillray, ca. 1809.

Three officers stand at the bar in a high panelled hall crowded with people within the Chelsea hospital as William Cobbett escapes in a boat in the distance seen through an open door. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

William Cobbett dressed as a Serjeant-Major furtively copies regimental documents in a room with a bolted door assisted by Corporal Bestland. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

William Cobbett surrounded by flames and beset by ghosts and the devil starts back in his chair overturning his writing-table and dropping his pen. Etching by J. Gillray, 1809.

Stay in the know

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