George Morland

With Arthur Tooth and Sons, London, where acquired by the late Lord Jersey;
George Francis Child Villiers, 9th Earl of Jersey 1910-1998);
Thence by descent to the present owners.

London, Arthur Tooth & Sons, Old Masters and Modern Paintings, no. 879 (according to an old label affixed to the reverse)

The colours are richer than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The signed canvas has an old relining. The paint surface is in good overall condition. The stretcher bar marks are very faintly visible and there is old slightly discoloured scattered infilling to an old craquelure. Ultraviolet confirms this and reveals some further very minor areas of scattered cosmetic retouching e.g. to the armpits of the seated gentlemen and to the hat of the backmost seated gentleman. There are also more recent minor cosmetic retouchings in the upper right. There is a discoloured varnish overall, but otherwise the picture is in good ready to hang condition. Offered in a gilt wood frame with minor losses.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the expression "to take the kings shilling" was synonmous with an agreement upon reciept, to serve as a soldier or sailor. Recruiters of the time used all sorts of tricks, a number of which included concealing a shilling at the bottom of a tankard, which led to the introduction of the glass bottomed tankard. The victim did not formally become a soldier until attested before a Justice of the Peace, and he could escape his fate by paying his recruiter "smart money" before attestation.