"North (left) in the guise of a badger, runs off leaving a little cave under a rock. Charles Fox as a fox (right) snarls at him, while he excretes a stream inscribed "Eloquence". The badger is identified as North by a ribbon tied round his body, and by the four points of the compass in a circle on his head, his snout being inscribed "North". The fox stands over a bag inscribed "Faro Bank" from which guineas are pouring, playing-cards are strewn on the ground at his feet. In the foreground is a small bundle inscribed "Budget" within which are bars inscribed "Soap" and a small barrel inscribed "Small Beer" in allusion to the taxes proposed by North in his budget speech of 11 Mar. Behind the badger is a sign-post, the two arms of which terminate in well-drawn hands. The hand of the arm pointing left, in the direction to which North is running, holds the head of a halberd, the arm is inscribed "To Tower Hill". The other arm points downwards at the cave which the badger has left, and is inscribed "To the Treasury". Behind Fox is a terminal statue inscribed "Janus", one head being that of a bearded old man, the other that of a fox, it is crowned by a cylindrical headdress (?a dice-box) on which are two dice. The scene is a wooded landscape with hills. In the distance a hunt is in progress, a stag pursued by dogs; the foremost rider is the king, a minute figure who is falling from his horse after having leapt a gate. His crown falls from his head, his saddle, with the stirrups flying, is falling to the ground."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Fox stinking the badger out of his nest
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Mounted to 33 x 45 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 22d, 1782, by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, and North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792
