TOBY FILLPOT.

Dateca. 1786

After work by Robert Dighton (1752-1814)

Publisher Henry Carington Bowles (1763 - 1830)

Publisher Samuel Carver (1756 - 1841)

Maker Bowles & Carver (fl. 1793 - 1832)

OriginEngland, London

MediumBlack and white mezzotint engraving with period hand color

DimensionsOverall: 14 3/4 × 10 3/4in. (37.5 × 27.3cm) Other (Plate): 13 1/2 × 9 3/4in. (34.3 × 24.8cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1971-480

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "TOBY FILLPOT./ Printed for & Sold by BOWLES & CARVER,/ N.o 69 S.t Paul's Church Yard, LONDON./ Dear Tom this brown Jug that now foams with mild/Ale,/ (In which I will drink to sweet Nan of the Vale)/ Was once Toby Fillpot, a thirsty old Soul/ As e'er drank a Bottle, or fathom'd a Bowl./ In boozing about 'twas his praise to excell,/ And among Jolly Topers he bore off the Bell./ It chanc'd as in Dog-days he sat at his ease,/ In his Flow'r woven Arbour, as gay as you please,/ With a Friend and a Pipe, puffing Sorrow away,/ And with honest old Stingo was soaking his Clay./ His breath Doors of Life on a sudden were shut/ And he died full as big as a Dorchester Butt./ His Body when long in the Ground it had lain,/ And time into Clay had resolv'd it again:/ A Potter found out in it's Covert so snug,/ And with part of fat Toby, he form'd this brown Jug,/ Now sacred to Friendship, and Mirth and mild Ale./ So here's to my lovely sweet Nan of the Vale."