The Parsons Hobby, or, Comfort for a Welch Curate by WILLIAMS, Charles - 1819

London: T. Tegg, 1819. unbound. Etching with hand coloring. Image measures 9 1/2" x 13", sheet measures 10 3/4" x 15 3/4<br/><br/> This caricature depicts a Welsh clergyman sitting on an early bicycle, often referred to as a "Hobby horse", or just hobby. Officially patented under the name 'velocipede', this iteration of the bicycle was invented in Germany by Karl Drais in 1817, two years before this print was published. In this caricature, the parson's family, barefoot and in tattered clothes, stand outside their humble home in the countryside, preparing to see him off. In his back pocket is pamphlet titled "Sermon on the benefits of Poverty." The print alludes to church building following the act passed by Parliament in 1818, as well as clerical absenteeism. The extreme poverty of Welsh clergy was also a common theme (M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', IX, 1949). Shows some light staining at margins, not affecting the image. Minor wrinkling to page. In very good condition.<br/><br/>