Behind the bar of the "Pro bono publico" stand Charles Fox and Lord North, advertising their mixture. Several displeased customers sitting at tables in front of the bar complain about the punch's appalling quality and "The interior of a punch-house. In an alcove or bar (right), behind a counter, stand North and Fox mixing punch. Over the alcove is inscribed "Pro bono Publico | The Coalition Punch-house by Charles & Co." North (left) holds a kettle in his right hand, in his left a ladle with which he mixes the contents of the bowl. He says, "Gentlemen I can supply you with accid having had 6 or 7 years constant practice in making of it for 3 kingdoms & 13 provinces". Fox (right), his right hand resting on a wine-bottle, his left outstretched, says "Gentlemen tho' I have enlarged my connections I can still serve you with good Liquor & give you Good Words as usual & if that wont please you may go & be Dm---d". Each has an expression of anxiety mixed with defiance, anxiety the more prominent in North, defiance in Fox. The guests sit on low benches in front of narrow tables, their backs to the punch-makers. Immediately in front of the bar sits a stout man in a bob-wig holding up his bowl and saying, "Coalition Punch do you call it? Phow! tis nauseous as Salts or Jalap". Next him (right) is a tall, thin military officer, wearing a cockaded hat and epaulettes and holding a tasselled cane. He holds a bowl in his left hand, saying, "Aye Friend they that drink it must take it down at a Gulph". Three men sit at a table on the left: a roistering buck wearing the fashionable riding-dress of the day, a favour in his hat, stands up, legs astride, holding out a bowl in his right hand, the contents spilling, he says, "Right sort Charley Damme!" Next him a man with a melancholy expression leans his elbows on the table, supporting his head in his hands and saying "You may say poisonous indeed for it has thrown the whole Nation in a fermentation & by the addition of that cursed C° he will loose all his good old Customers". Next him, and on the extreme left, a trim-looking citizen smoking a long pipe, his bowl on the table, says "When Charles was on his own bottom, he sold wholesome tipple, but now C° is added to his name we get a poisonous Compound.""--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item. and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Publisher:
Pubd June 18th, 1783 by W. Wells, No. 132 Fleet Street, London
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain and England
Subject (Name):
North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792 and Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Bars, Alcoholic beverages, and Clothing & dress
