The Bulstrode siren

Gillray, James, 1756-1815 · 1803

The Duke of Portland and Mrs. Billington sit side by side on a settee. She sings to him, he listens ecstatically, with clasped hands, his head turned in profile to the right, staring with amorous intensity. She holds her music, but looks alluringly at the Duke. Her notes ascend until lost in the shaded upper part of the design. Portland wears an old-fashioned court suit and Garter ribbon. He is thin except for gouty swollen legs and feet. At his feet is an open music-book (BM). / Mrs. Billington was at this time residing with the Duke of Portland at his mansion at Bulstrode (Wright/Evans).