Print of the Day: Smoking a Parson, 1807

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"Smoking a Parson"
London, 1807
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Isaac Cruikshank (1764-1811, relative of Mr. Punch’s pal, George Cruikshank) acted as engraver on this satirical print which was drawn by a man identified as “Woodward” (1755-1809). The print shows a then-shocking flouting of male authority by a woman.

Depicted here, we have a gin-drinking, pipe-smoking woman who counters the criticisms of a minister by speaking her mind. The woman’s proclivities are indicated by the advertisements which Woodward included in the scene—Rich Cordial Gin and Old Tom Tobacco. The print was published in 1807 in London.