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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D5459/1/93/12
Former ReferenceD5459/1/166
Title The Monstrous Craw and the Pastry Cook : or the Tables Turned
Date[1807]
DescriptionOn the left a figure in military uniform, with a cockade which reads 'No Popery', stands hands on hips and says:
"Now Mr Craw - what do you say to the volunteers. Give in without firing a musquet. - Oh for shame - am I Col. Pattypan now? - I wonder you are not abashed at looking a military pastry cook in the face!!"
He addresses this to a man in military uniform with a huge chin labelled 'Military Honors from Buenos Ayres ', who looks abashed and replies:
"I must own I was a little too severe on you gentlemen Volunteers - but I assure you, though I did not fire, I did not run away (because they would not let me)" Available on CD 158.
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
ArtistWoodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809)
Archive CreatorGeorge Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer
Further InformationThe character on the right is probably Lieutenant General John Whitelocke (1757-1833). He led the attempt to recapture Buenos Aires in 1807, sent by the Grenville ministry, after it had been captured and then lost again by Beresford in 1806. Apparently he had remained near his headquarters and owing to poor communications no one knew where he was and therefore reports could not reach him, and he saw none of the fighting. He ceased hostilities on 3 Jul 1807 to save the prisoners, because he doubted that an attack could be successful, and agreed to evacuate the province within two months. He was court-martialled for surrendering advantages won at a high cost. 'Whitelocked' became a term for disgraced.

The character on the left may possibly refer to Alderman Birch, the pastry-cook of Cornhill. He was a fervent Tory and was said to have stamped his buns with 'No Popery' during the crisis of 1807. He was an officer in the city militia. He is described in BM Sat 11382 as 'Colonel Patty-Pan' and as wearing a uniform with cocked hat.
Physical DescriptionPencil drawing with text in ink. Size 351 x 282 mm.
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Image

The Monstrous Craw and the Pastry Cook : or the Tables Turned

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