He went to Tonson, illustration to "The Noble Patron"
Abbey moved to England in 1878 to research and illustrate poems devoted to historical themes for Harper's. This is one of a series that responds to "The Noble Patron," gently satirical verse by Austin Dobson that imagine the London experiences of Dick Dovecote, a Wiltshire youth and aspiring writer. As his funds dwindle, Dick takes a manuscript to the famous publisher Jacob Tonson the Elder (1655–1736) only to hear that unwelcome changes will have to be made before it can be accepted. The related verse explains:
By this his purse was running low,
And he must either print or go.
He went to Tonson. Tonson said–
Well! Tonson hummed and shook his head;
Deplor'd the times; abus'd the Town;
But thought–at length–it might go down;
With aid, of course, of Elzevir [an antiquated type style],
And Prologue to a Prince, or Peer.
Dick winced at this, for adulation
Was scarce that candid youth's vocation:
Nor did he deem his rustic lays
Required a Coronet for Bays.
The image was reproduced as a wood engraving in Harper's "New Montly Magazine," vol. 79 (October 1889), p. 663.
By this his purse was running low,
And he must either print or go.
He went to Tonson. Tonson said–
Well! Tonson hummed and shook his head;
Deplor'd the times; abus'd the Town;
But thought–at length–it might go down;
With aid, of course, of Elzevir [an antiquated type style],
And Prologue to a Prince, or Peer.
Dick winced at this, for adulation
Was scarce that candid youth's vocation:
Nor did he deem his rustic lays
Required a Coronet for Bays.
The image was reproduced as a wood engraving in Harper's "New Montly Magazine," vol. 79 (October 1889), p. 663.
Artwork Details
- Title: He went to Tonson, illustration to "The Noble Patron"
- Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey (American, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1852–1911 London)
- Author: Related author Austin Dobson (British, Plymouth, Devon 1840–1921 London)
- Date: 1888
- Medium: Pen and ink on cardboard
- Dimensions: sheet: 17 3/4 x 11 1/4 in. (45.1 x 28.6 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
- Object Number: 29.100.925
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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