A lamp-lighter (left) stands dejectedly on his ladder which rests against a stone obelisk supporting a lamp whose glass is broken. The light has been extinguished by a blast from the head of a cherub emerging from clouds (right). A man wearing a cocked hat standing by the lamp-post tries in vain to get a spark from a flint. A stout citizen bends over a cup held by an old woman seated on the right, he stirs it and blows upon it, evidently trying to kindle a light. A dog befouls the obelisk.
<p><br>'. . . Ce Committé se donne bien dela peine pour allumer la grande lanterne.   Mais - le vent siffie - les verres sont cassé - comment les raccomoder ? - '  Text, 'Job', xviii. 5. 1796
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<br>Etching printed in red and aquatint
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<p>Print made by: James Gillray (?)
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<dl><dd>After: David Hess</dd></dl></div>
1796<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1796-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
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