Watercolor, approximately 11 x 16 inches. Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Autolycus lives by peddling ribbons, lace, thread and "toys for your head," but he augments his livelihood by cheating the unsuspecting and stealing sheets and linens. His father, he says, "was likewise a snapper-up of unconsidered trifles." "Beating and hanging," he confesses, "are terrors to me." Most of the songs in The Winter's Tale are sung by Autolycus and Fawcett was noted for his voice.

John Fawcett (1768-1837) was, in a career that began in 1787 and lasted until 1830, an accomplished comedian and singer and performed at Covent Garden and the Haymarket Theatre. Besides the part of Autolycus, he enjoyed popularity in the roles of Falstaff and Touchstone. He also wrote for the theater, including a pantomime, The Enchanted Island, a musical adaptation of The Tempest, performed in 1804 (Christian 180).