The Four Stages of Matrimony!

(Photograph) - The Four Stages of Matrimony!: "Smick-smack"; "Hither and thither"; "Thwick-thwack"; "May the devil take them that brought you and me together!"

1796 print by Richard Newton, published by William Holland, who supplied the witty captions. From the age of 14 until his early death at the age of 21 in 1798, Newton etched a stream of hilarious satires of royalty, politicians, greedy churchmen, actresses and courtesans. In part because of the bawdy nature of many of his prints, Newton's work was soon, undeservedly, forgotten. From Richard Newton and English Caricature in the 1790s by David Alexander, published by The Whitworth Art Gallery/Manchester University Press at Pounds 45.00 and Pounds 17.99 (ISBN 0 7190 54796 and 5480X).