47 year old Catherine Macaulay married a 21 year old William Graham (a
poorly educated ship's mate). Of course, this resulted in many salacious
satires, such as "The Auscpicious Marriage!" This woodcut includes
"emblems of lust, folly and dotage". Macaulay overdressed (height exaggerated
by her plumed headress, including a fool's cap), towering over childlike
Graham. Macaulay, in a hurry, tramples over volumes of books that Macaulay wrote
(ink, pen, and liberty pole scattered on the ground near the books). These
images suggesting intellect and moral principles superceded by carnal
passion. Cupid asleep on the ground, Hymen (god of marriage) covering his
eyes. The view: "Macaulay seduced by a charlatan to obtain Macaulay's
inheritance. Thus Macaulay seen as representing all Bluestockings as immoral
or foolish or evil.
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