The city address [graphic]

"The King, plainly dressed in black, tries to hide, ostrich-like, from the two Sheriffs of London, who kneel before him, holding their wands of office. The foremost, on both knees, his hand on his heart, says: We are deputed by the Corporation to wait upon your M----ty most humbly to know when it will be convenient to receive the dutiful address of your M----tys ancient and loyal City of London. The second sheriff, less obsequious, says: The Citizens are suprised at yr M----tys Backwardness, the Corporation looks blue, and the Lord Mayor is in a Brown Study. The King, poised on his toes, stoops over the throne, a plain arm-chair, as if to take cover, looking behind him from the corners of his averted eyes. He says: I'm not at home. An elderly Lord Chamberlain, also in black, leans forward on tiptoe, supporting himself on the back of the throne, one arm held out above the King's bent back with a gesture of negation to the Sheriffs and protection to the King, saying, He say's "he's not at home! The title is centred by two heraldic turtles and the City's motto: Domini Direge Nos [sic].."--British Museum online catalogue