To be seen at Mr. S------n's menagerie the wonderful learned Han[...]r colt who writes a letter blindfolded : NB. he is in training for sev[era]l other useful purposes ; also a very curious monkey who can read & write a little & imitates the human voice ; also several very extraordinary rats from Holland, Buckinghamshire, Wilton, Poole & other places / JS [monogram] f.
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Print shows a spirited horse, wearing the feathers of the Prince of Wales in his headband, standing on his hind legs, a pen in his fore-foot, writing a letter while Sheridan (right) guides the pen; his blinkers cover his eyes. Sheridan, who leans across the table in profile to the left, holds the paper: 'To Mr Pi[tt] ....' An ape with the (simian) features of Lord Derby squats on the table behind Sheridan, reading a paper: 'Rough Drat of the Letter', and saying "Hear hear hear". On the extreme left appear the profile, hands, and one foot of Weltje, saying, "By Got he vill teach de Orse to speak". Under the table is a circular rat-trap, in which are five rats with quasi-human faces. Cf. George.
Peel, Robert, 1788-1850 former owner.