RURAL HAPPINESS UNDER A PATRIOT KING 1794 John Barlow - Richard Corbould ETCHING

Original 1794 10 inch x 7 3/4 inch etching and engraving titled RURAL HAPPINESS UNDER A PATRIOT KING.
From ‘The Adventures of Telemachus’ an epic poem from the French of Fenelon with alterations by the Rev. Mark Anthony Meilan. Mark Anthony Meilan was a writer, born about 1743, who at one time a situation in the post-office, which he resigned in order to become an instructor in private families in English, bookkeeping, and shorthand, of languages, arts, and sciences. He took orders, and for some time served the curacy of St. John, Wapping. In 1809 he was assistant minister of St. Mary, Newington, Surrey, and was apparently alive in 1816.

Engraved by John Barlow (c. 1760 - 1810). Reproductive etcher, working in London.

After Richard Corbould (1757 - 1831). Corbould was a painter, in oil and watercolour, of portraits, landscape, and occasionally history; of porcelain, and miniatures on ivory, and enamels; and was furthermore an important illustrator of books renowned for his Napoleonic sketches of Ships, and a follower of the old masters. From 1777 to 1811 he was a constant contributor to the Royal Academy.

Text below image: “Behold at the return of grateful eve, / Their cots, the female train forth coming leave; / Each anxious to behold, with day now done, / Her husband, brother, lover, sire or son.”

’Published as the Act directs by M.A. Meilan, Jan’y 20th, 1794

Image size 5 5/8 inch x 4 3/4 inch

The etching is in good condition with age related toning, tattering along the right edge and a light stain in the lower right corner.