The Union-Club [graphic]

"A drunken debauch in the new Union Club, see BMSat 9698. A long table, the cloth removed, one end cut off by the left margin, stretches almost across the design, slanting back slightly from the left, where it is in the foreground, and where Fox, grossly corpulent, sits in an armchair asleep, his feet on the table, a pipe in one hand. Nearly opposite his feet is the chair of state, on the table; on the empty seat is the Prince's cocked hat with triple plume, his motto 'Ich Di[en]' within the crown. The chair is backed by an elaborate architectural canopy with ornate pilasters on which swags of fruit and flowers are carved in relief: (left) grapes and lemons (materials for punch), and (right) roses and shamrocks. Above the seat are figures of Britannia and Erin, kissing, standing on a curved base inscribed 'The Union'. On the back of the chair are two clasped hands, elaborately irradiated. The chair is surrounded by broken wine-bottles; its former occupant, the Prince, lies on his back under the table, one arm flung over Lord Stanhope, who lies unconscious, clasping a bottle. On the Prince's stomach rest two feet in shoes with spiked, upcurved toes. In the foreground, opposite the Prince, Norfolk lies with his head against the seat of his overturned chair, looking very ill. All who are not incapacitated or fighting are toasting the Union (except Lansdowne and Parr, see below). On the table sits Moira, dressed as in BMSat 9386, a glass of wine held high above his head, his right leg thrust forward, while he stretches back to take the hand of Lord Clermont, [This is clear from the resemblance to BMSat 9575, and is supported by the shamrock which he and the other Irishmen wear. It is confirmed by 'London und Paris', vii. 80, where it is said that he and Moira were once bitter enemies. He is identified by Grego as General Manners, see BMSat 9288.] seated next Sheridan on the farther side of the table. Facing Clermont and in back view, Camelford sits erect, wearing a Jean de Bry coat (see BMSat 9425) and small round hat, with cropped hair. [The identification (that of Grego) is confirmed by BMSat 9716, Wright and Evans give Burdett, E. Hawkins 'Mr Manners'.] Beside him (right) two waiters bring in a full tub of Whiskey Punch, which they spill; one treads on the face of the prostrate Nicholls. Near the end of the table (right) sits Derby, his large head and crumpled features grotesquely caricatured. In the foreground on the extreme right Montagu Mathew (as in BMSat 9560) and Skeffington (as in BMSat 9557) advance dancing arm-in-arm, with tipsy grace, the former with a bottle in each hand; one reversed, the other, held above his head, splashes its contents over his partner's uplifted glass. (The pair, according to 'London und Paris', vii, 1801, p. 76, were known as inseparables in fashionable London resorts, cf. BMSat 9755.) ..."--British Museum online catalogue