Thomas Rowlandson after George Moutard Woodward.

A Plan for General Reform.
Respectfully submitted to the attention of Members of parliament During the Summer Recess.

13 x 9.5 inches

A hand coloured etching by Rowlandson after Woodward, published in London in 1809.

Eight English ''types'' are illustrated in two rows of four, each making a pledge to parliament whether it be to wear fewer clothes, cut back on alcohol consumption or, in the case of one bemused looking woman, ''leave off my under flannel''.

Rowlandson is having great fun here assuming that ordinary folk would willingly accept any changes to their lives that were filtered down by a government eager to raise revenue for expensive military campaigns overseas. Suddenly, everybody from yokel to barmaid, has an idea of how to bring about reform!

£325