‘Entry and Exit (The World)’, 1823
Description
Hand coloured etching entitled ‘Entry _ and _ Exit. (The World!)’, designed and etched by William Heath and published by G. Humphrey in 1823.
The scene depicts in some detail the public exterior of an early 1800s apothecary’s shop, with carboys in the windows. Above the shop doorway, is a sign ‘THE WORLD’, and a globe with scales balancing on top.
To the left of the scene an apothecary, wearing a wig and a frock coat and holding a cane, ushers a group of naked babies into the shop. To the right of the scene another gentleman dressed in black says goodbye to a skeleton who is pointing towards heaven. The caption below reads: “Accoucheurs & Apothecaries, Masters of the Ceremonies and Ushers of the Black Rod & c!”
An accoucheur is a male midwife. A master of ceremonies is a person in charge of procedure at a formal event or entertainment, introducing speakers or performers. Ushers of the Black Rod refers to the chief usher of the Lord Chamberlain’s department of the royal household, who is also usher