3-101-511 - "Royal Academy of Arts, London"/Heritage Images

Despacha, que dispiértan, (Hurry, they're waking up), Plate 78 from 'Los Caprichos', 1799. 'The little elves are the most industrious and helpful folk imaginable: if the maid keeps them happy, they tend the cooking pot, cook the vegetables, scrub, sweep, and hush the baby. There has been much debate as to whether or not they are devils; let's not fool ourselves: devils are those who busy themselves doing evil, hindering others from doing good, or doing nothing at all.'