By His Majesty's Command

51 1/2 x 40cm, including frame. Coloured engraving with a black mount, gilt frame and glazed. Beneath the title 'The Jubilee Ball after the Venetian manner, Or Masquerade at Ranellagh Gardens April the 26th 1749. C.Parr Sculpt.' 20 lines of verse. 'England, most fond of foreign follies groan, / Each new Device adopts and makes her own; / France cannot fast enough supply the Call, / From Venice they import the Fresco Ball. / Where nymphs in loose and antick Robes appear; / And motley shapes our Warlike Heroes wear. / Here free from frowns indulge the am'rous sport; / Be this the Cyprian Isle and Venus' Court! / Here Majesty relax'd from Cares of State, a World of medally Mortals doth create; / Prim Quakers, mov'd by Spirit join the Throng / And grave Old Age leads dancing Young along. / The Turk stands gloting on a Christian Dame / And to ye non the Friar tells his Flame, Who turns from Domine Monstruous Nose / Crying "That Sham you must not hear impose" / To Mary Scot the humble Plaid extends / his Hand, and in Obeisence lowly bends. / Here the whole World in minature we see; / This Scheme makes even Contrarier agree. / To Moral Figures top the Jovial set / In Emblematic Dresses rightly met. / MAD TOM one half with Straw-wav'd Scepter rules / And PUNCH comes grinning with his Brother FOOLS