A series of original portraits and caricature etchings by the late John Kay, miniature painter, Edinburgh; with biographical sketches and illustrative anecdotes

After abandoning a career as barber-surgeon, John Kay (1742-1826) is said to have etched some 900 caricature portraits in his second career as an artist, including nearly every notable Scotsman of his day. Few persons of any notoriety escaped his eagle eye and he also indulged himself in caricaturing such local incidents as may amuse the public. His work provides a unique record of the social life and popular habits of Edinburgh at the end of the eighteenth century. Each of the illustrations is accompanied by biographical notes and amusing anecdotes.