Morning promenade upon the cliff, Brighton

Gillray, James, 1756-1815 · January 24, 1806

Young women, gaily dressed, ride donkeys along a rough road at the edge of a cliff indicated by a railing and the sea below. There are three groups inscribed respectively 'Kicking-Sett,' 'Active-Sett,' and 'Passive Sett.' On the extreme left, one donkey lies on its back kicking the rider it has thrown. The donkey-boy kneels beside it holding the rein, and plying a cudgel. The next donkey, its head held by a boy, is kicking. A man (? groom) standing behind flogs it, another holds its rider's sunshade. The third donkey, with its rider holding a sunshade, stands beside it. The other two groups advance from r. to left. Three lively and coquettish ladies ride side by side, approaching with studied unconsciousness two hussar officers who lean against the railing. The animals are urged on by boys with vicious whips and cudgels. The last three (r.) are more demure and are escorted by grooms or attendant cavaliers, one of whom holds up his lady's parasol. A few spectators are strung out along the railing. An old sailor sits on the railing, smoking, facing the sea (BM).