A Family Piece
This wonderful cartoon is by 14 year old Anne Lindsay. She provides a candid view of a social occasion in her family home at Balcarres, dated 1808. The names were added 50 years later, by her son Robert. He has not named the Duke, the Marquis, or the sleeping man with the Garter Star on his coat breast (Lord Harwicke).
Names put down 1851 R B Ramsay
Sketch by Lady Anne Wardlaw AL Ramsay. The narrative runs from left to right (the speech bubbles have been transcribed below each section). It begins with a sardonic comment by the father: “everyone has their game to play, eh!”
Alexander, 6th Earl of Balcarres “Robert, you see everyone has their game to play, eh!”
Hon Robert Lindsay “Mine shall be Merrits if you please“
Hon Mrs Robert Lindsay “Now, my dear Lindsay, you may acknowledge you are a great deal better”
Lady Charlotte Lindsay “Go! I have no patience for you what with your bleeding, blistering, cupping, ills, pills, quackery, I think you will finish yourself off. “
Hon Col John Lindsay “Oh, Palsy! Oh! Dropsy, Oh! Apoplexy! Oh, Death!”
Bishop of Kildare “God bless you, my dear Brother. How do you do?”
Hon Mrs Hugh Lindsay “Do you think so, Hugh?”
Hon Hugh Lindsay “Ah, Charles, how do you do? What a fine Turtle Feast we had yesterday!!!”
Lady Hardwicke “Ah, Margaret, do contrive to take Elizabeth away from the Duke —”
Col James Lindsay “Mrs Martin, it’s really funny to see these Ladies manoeuvering. Just look at Lady _____”
Lady Margaret Fordyce “Sweetest, pray come into the next room with me, for I have something to show you —”
Mrs Martin “Hush!”
Duke? “Upon my word, it’s very like James. How beautifully you have done it!”
Lady Elizabeth Lindsay (Heathcote) “Do you know, I am quite proud you have found it and so soon.”
Lady Anne Barnard “Is it Nannie? Who did it dance with last night!”
Lady Anne Lindsay (Ramsay) “That must remain a mistery, Aunt Anne.”
Lady Stuart of Rothesay “I am glad, Marquis, that you are going to the Ball tonight — “
Marquis? “Will you do me the honor to dance with me?”
Lady Caledon “Now do pray come into our Opera box before you go to the Ball –”
James, 7th Earl of Balcarres “Damn ye all!”
The sleeping man is oblivious to all this chitchat. Anne Barnard was a favourite aunt of Anne Lindsays, does their little exchange suggest she was shortsighted? The narrative ends with an explosive interjection by James, waving his violin in annoyance at being unable to practise.