Peter Plumb's diary

Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827 · May 20, 1810

The picture represents the drawing-room of a 'warm citizen,' evidently 'worth a plum.' The corpulent master of the house and the no less well-favoured partner of his bosom are seated before a capital fire ; the comfortable couple have drunk their port and supped their punch, of which a capacious bowl is ready to hand on a table between them ; the host has smoked a whiff of ' Turkey' and then dropped off to sleep in his armchair ; his wife has followed his example ; and a fat poodle, snugly laid on a soft cushion before the fender, is dozing luxuriously ; the motto of the house is written over the mantel : 'Eating, drinking, and sleeping, with the generality of people, form the three important articles of life.' The blooming daughter, a melting young damsel, has her own creed on the subject. An opportunity is offered for a little flirtation ; a gallant and good-looking young buck is saluting her with a tender embrace ; the pair have sat down to perform duetto prestissimo, but the swain's flute is discarded, and the fair pianist is negligently touching the keyboard to a lively air, Lucys Delight, while the flirtation is proceeding undisturbed by the presence of the slumbering parents.