The gig shop

Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827 · February 16, 1811

According to the picture of this place of 'fast' resort, dancing has given way to much rougher diversions, and, although the musicians are in their gallery, playing away as if the scene below was the regular thing, the place appropriated for the dance is given up to a mill conducted on strikingly professional principles; one of the combatants has 'peeled' in recognised style, and his opponent has stripped to his shirt ; the backers and seconders of the fisticuffing bucks (who are freely besprinkled with the ruby fluid) are members of the fair sex ; in fact, ladies seem in the ascendant at this entertainment.