Buffalo Pottery (NY, USA, 1901-2004)
‘Dr. Syntax Soliloquising’
Emerald Deldare Ware, Dr. Syntax, circa 1911
From ‘The Third Tour of Dr Syntax in Search of a Wife, A Poem.’ by William Combes (c. 1821)
Plate; Decorated by M. Ramlus (c. 1911) after Thomas Rowlandson (c. 1821)
American, Arts & Crafts
7 3/8” diameter x 7/8” high
“DR. SYNTAX SOLILOQUISING.
QUIT, MY SAD SIR, THAT ODIOUS CHAIR,
WITH YOUR GRAVE MELANCHOLY AIR.”
Markings: signed by ceramic decorator M. Ramlus; marked on base: 1911 / [Buffalo] / BUFFALO / POTTERY / EMERALD / DELDARE / WARE / UNDERGLAZE; 8
Catalogue Notes: The scene is after the Thomas Rowlandson’s original (https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:5752) created as the first image of the Third instalment of William Combes Dr. Syntax series, ‘Doctor Syntax’s Tour: In Search of a Wife, a Poem.’ (1821) (https://fiftywordsforsnow.com/ebooks/syntax/syntax3.html). The picturesque view from the Doctors vantage typically incorporates the scene as described in Canto XXXIV, however, likely due to the complexity, the “harmless revelry” of the “fair … on yonder plain” has been substituted with rolling hills of shrubbery.
Literature: Doctor Syntax’s Tour: In Search of a Wife. Pg. 4-5 of Canto XXXIV, ‘…“That train of thought which may augment / The source of idle discontent? / And after all, ‘tis this same folly / That serves to make me melancholy. / ‘Tis plain then, I have nought to do, / But these weak symptoms to subdue, / From this dull slumb’ring to awake, / From these disheart’ning thoughts to break, / To form new schemes, to leave off talking, / And set my better mind a walking “’ // Here Syntax paus’d, and silent stood, / In grave and contemplative mood, / When ancient Madge, who wound the reel, / And gave the movement to her wheel, / Tow’rds Heaven appear’d to cast her eye / And gave a deep and heart-felt sigh. // … // And now old Margaret sigh’d again / As if she suffer’d real pain ; When Syntax thus the dame address’d: / “What anxious thought disturbs your breast, / And wherefore do you lift your eye / As if commencing with the sky?” / Now Madge it seems had caught the sense / Of all the Doctor’s eloquence, / And, with kind feelings for her guide, / She thus, in measu’r speech, replied: / “It is not for myself I sue / To Heaven’s mercy, ‘tis for you. / I could well scold you if I dare, / And your whims almost make me swear: / You may keep talking on for ever, / ‘Twill never do you good, no never. / What is your fending and your proving, / ‘Tis nonsense all – I say, keep moving. / Do you not hear what pleasures reign/ Among the crowd on yonder plain? Quit, my sad Sir, that odious chair, / With your grave melancholy air, / and join the pastimes of the fair. / See ‘ midst the bustle what is done, / Look on the sports and view the fun: / Who knows but a good donkey race / May plant a smile upon your face. / Of this I’m sure that when you see / The scene of harmless revelry, / And from the happy people hear / The untaught joke, the merry jeer, / Their honest pleasures will impart / Smiles to your sympathizing heart. / You know the joy your flock will share / To view their much-lov’d pastor there. / And when you see how they receive it, / You’ll feel it two-fold, you who give it. / Do as I say, you’ll find it right, / ‘Twill prove a most enliv’ning sight, / And save you from a restless night. / Keep moving, – quit your studious labours, / Set off and visit all your neighbours. / A change of scene, a change of place, / Will from your mind these whimsies chase, / And soon I with delight shall see / My master from his meagrims free.”
Reference:
- Yale University, British Art Collection, Thomas Rowlandson’s Original Sketch for the first Aquatint
(https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:5752) - Fifty Words for Snow, Doctor Syntax’s Tour: In Search of a Wife, William Combe, c. 1821
(https://fiftywordsforsnow.com/ebooks/syntax/syntax3.html)
