Raising the wind

Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827 · October 12, 1812

Rowlandson's print introduces the nobleman at the precise moment his affairs need 'patching up,' for ' mended ' he never can be after he has put himself into the spider-like clutches of plausible Isaac and his 'friend in the City.' All the ready money is gone, and the racing stud has followed it; but the road to ruin is only just opening up. The spendthrift is a comparative beginner; the next step is raising money on his title deeds, which are undergoing inspection under the vulture-like eye of the scrivener, who, it appears, lends money on good security and traffics in annuities and jointures.