Last Dying Speech & Confession

Rowlandson's drawing shows a grotesque street seller advertising a batch of broadsheets. She holds the papers in one hand while the other is free to collect her payment. The paper in her hand reads: 'Last Dying Speech and Confession of the unfortunate malefactors who were executed this morning.' In the background, a crowd has gathered to watch a public execution outside Newgate prison.

At the date of Rowlandson's drawing, a crime such as pick-pocketing warranted the death penalty. In the background a boy, undeterred by the severity of this punishment, is shown picking the pocket of a passing gentleman.

A drawing for the print published by Ackermann as the third in the series.