A cockney & his wife going to Wycombe

Gillray, James, 1756-1815 · June 10, 1805

The pair, seated in a gig, drive (r. to left.) along a country road, preceded by a mongrel dog carrying a large bone. The man drives the miserable hack with the air of an expert, flicking a heavy lash over the animal's neck. He is smartly dressed with side-whisker, swathed neck-cloth, high collar, and top-boots. His almost spherical wife takes his arm. She holds a little closed parasol, and wears gloves above we elbow. The feather and trimmings of her hat float behind her in the wind. On the side of the gig is a pestle and mortar, showing that the man is an apothecary. The emaciated and decrepit horse has broken knees and gaping wounds under the collar and harness and one pastern is swollen. Birds fly towards it, scenting carrion. A broken milestone (r.) is inscribed 'Miles from London' (BM). / A picture of Cockney life at the beginning of the present century (Wright/Evans).