Henry Heath.

Retrenchment or Whiskeranders Crossing the Line (A new route).

14.5 x 10 inches

A hand coloured etching by Henry Heath, published in London by Fores in 1830.

An exuberant scene on board ship that represents King William IV's attempt to simplify regimental uniform. The newly crowned king is shown seated upon a makeshift throne made from an old barrel and a sea chest. He is depicted as Neptune, god of the sea, and accompanied by the Dukes of Sussex and Cumberland who stand either side. Sailors are seen snipping off the gold trimmings from the uniforms of their landlubbing contemporaries, the soldiers of the Tenth Hussars. They are also shaving their beards and whiskers, a sign of putting someone in his place and possibly denoting an act of emasculation. William the Fourth's idea was to have gold lace for the navy and silver for the military. Heath has depicted the sailors as burly fellows and the soldiers as dandies with exaggerated waists and effeminate features.

£325