Equipt for a Northern Visit

Cartoon in pen and ink. Published August 7th 1822 by J Johnston, 28 Cheapside.

‘Equipt for a Northern Visit’ is a cartoon satirising King George IV for wearing tartan on his visit to Scotland. It says on the lower margin “Folly as it grows in years, The more extravagant appears”.

The image shows King George in ridiculous fashion, wearing a very short kilt and tartan sash with Sir William Curtis, the Lord Mayor of London, who accompanied King George IV on his visit

King George is saying...

“What, my knight of the Calipash, have you got into the Highland costume? Poh, doff that man, it don’t become you, you are too old for such freaks. I am every inch a Scot -
‘Leave those to trifle with more grace and ease,
Whom folly pleases, or whose follies please”.

To which the subject replies -

“As a loyal subject I follow your _____ example!
by Gole tho’ we must take care of the Lasses, for this dress is but little better than Achilles fig leaf. If I don’t take care I shall lose the little I have got speedy and soon !”

Perhaps not hilarious by modern standards, but very risky and verging on the treasonous in its day!