1807 making a Sailor a Free mason

Four men wearing aprons and other Masonic insignia initiate a burly pugnacious sailor who kneels on a cushion in profile to the right. Two lighted candles in tall candlesticks are on the ground behind him. On the extreme right. a man heats a poker in a brazier. On the extreme left. a Mason reads from a book: "Be it known to all men present that Benjamin Block of the Parish of St Catherines, - having a desire to become a member of the ancient Fraternity of Masons, hitherto comply'd with the usual ceremonies - Viz - having his Shirt-flaps cut and marked with divers mysteries, signs, and tangents - it now only remains - to fix on the bandage - and prepare the red hot poker, [for which purposes the proper Officers, are now attending) and the initiation is complete." An elderly man wearing a large old-fashioned wig faces the sailor, holding a cloth. The sailor's striped trousers are pulled down, his (slit) shirt is pulled over them, leaving a bare thigh. On the shirt are scrawled a sun, star, crescent, compasses, &c. On the ground are scissors and a hammer. The sailor clenches his fists and scowls up at his vis-à-vis, saying: "Harke'e Mr Wigsby - mind what I say, I have consented to have my main sheets cut and hack'd about, in a pretty stile, and Poll will swear enough about that, when she comes to over-hawl my rigging - but D------n me, if you offer to blindfold me, or to heave in sight one of your red hot pokers - may I never weigh anchor again - If I dont upset every Man-Jack of you. - " The fourth Mason, standing behind the sailor, laughs heartily. 1803? as reissued in 1807 Hand-coloured etching ( british museum) passe-partout 43 x 34 cm etch; c. 23 x 32,5 cm