Design in an oval. Illustration to a set of verses, printed in four columns beneath the plate, from which the publisher's name is taken. A young woman rides (right to left) on the back of a large mastiff, in a well-furnished room. A mirror in a carved framed is on the wall; a half length portrait is partly visible on the extreme left. A chair (right) is overturned.
<p><br>The verses relate that the 'Squire, called away on business, sent a message to his wife by his servant, ordering her to stay at home, "Nor see the Captain till I come". The servant, fearing strife and knowing that his master had no occasion for jealousy, altered the message to one begging her not to ride the mastiff. She accordingly rode the dog, was thrown, hurt, and furious with her husband. The servant points the moral :
<br><br>'Sir, had I charg'd her in your name, 
<br>To shun the Captain e'er you came, 
<br>Doubtless the case had been the same; 
<br>Her forehead broke - your brow secures, 
<br>Or else the knobs had been on your's.'  18 March 1786
</p>
<br>Etching and engraving with letterpress text
1786<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1786-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
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