"A stage-wagon drawn (left to right) by four horses with human heads, whose large, hairy ears suggest asses rather than horses. The wagon is inscribed 'Fox. Sheridan & Pennylus. India Papers'. It is piled with books and documents, inscribed 'Vol. cxii, Letters &c, India Papers, Private Correspondence', and 'Delhi'. The tilt or cover, which is pushed back to show the papers, is punningly inscribed 'To Battle Hastings'. The two leaders are led by a demon who flourishes a whip; both have rosaries with crosses round their necks; the near leader is Burke wearing his Jesuit's biretta (cf. BMSat 6026), the other has some resemblance to Sheridan. The near wheeler is Fox, the off wheeler resembles Lord Surrey: the rosary would be more appropriate to him than to Sheridan. In the background is Brooks's, the cornice inscribed 'Brooks's hot-hell'. The building is drawn with topographical correctness, and resembles Malton's plate of 1800, except that it is detached on the north as well as the south. On the extreme left, behind the demon, is a post supporting a placard inscribed, 'In a Few Days will be performd a Comedy called Impeachment by a Ragged Company (late) His Majestys Servants Principal Characters by Mr A. Mr C. Mr F. Mr B Mr D. Mr G.' [William Adam?, John Courtenay (or Lord Carlisle), Fox, Burke, Lord Derby. [The identity of Mr G. is mysterious: Grey was not a M.P. till July 1786, his maiden speech being on 21 Feb. 1787]] Below the title is etched: 'N.B. the Proprietors (never) Acct for Plate, Money, Iewels, Notes or Bonds'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Partial watermark, top center; mounted to 33 x 43 cm.
Publisher:
Publishd as the act directs, April 1st, 1786, by Alexr. McKenzie, No. 101 Berwick Street, Soho
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, and Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818
