A School for Boys

Dateca. 1766

After work by Philippe Mercier (1689 - 1760)

Engraver John Faber Jr. (1684 - 1756)

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint engraving

DimensionsOverall: 10 13/16 × 16 7/8in. (27.5 × 42.9cm) Other (Plate): 9 5/8 × 12 7/8in. (24.4 × 32.7cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1946-99

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Ph. Mercier Inv.t et Pinx.t/ J. Faber Fecit./ This Scene but shews us, how we first began; / How practise the same Lesson up to Man / From earliest Date some stand y.e Buts of Laughter / And the School Blockhead is a Dune hereafter. / All are at Fault by turns; Who first recovers from the deep Plunge, / insult ye found'ring Brother / In Courts, in Camps, at Bar, in every place, / The Rule is - Sneer the Party in Disgrace./ A SCHOOL OF BOYS/ London Printed for Rob. Sayer opposite Fetter Lane Fleet Street."
Label TextThis print was originally published in 1739. This version was republished by Robert Sayer after 1766 (it appears in Sayer's 1766 and 1774 catalogues) as a pair with "A School of Girls." Sold for 1s. see 1952-91. A young group of school boys are standing around a master who is in the process of punishing one of their group.The master holds a bunch of sticks in one hand, and the ear of the boy in the other. The text along the lower margin reads:

This Scene but shews us, how we first began;
How practise the same Lesson up to Man
From earliest Date some stand y.e Buts of Laughter
And the School Blockhead is a Dune hereafter.
All are at Fault by turns; Who first recover
From the deep Plunge, insult ye found'ring Brother.
In Courts, in Camps, at Bar, in every place.
he Rule is - Sneer the Party in Disgrace.