"The Tree of Liberty (cf. BMSat 9214), often (in fact) a pole surmounted by a bonnet-rouge, is here a pike on which is the bleeding head of Fox, the eyes covered by a cap inscribed 'Libertas'. Round the base of the pike and on a grassy mound are heaped the heads of the Foxites. The six heads at the base of the pile are (left to right): Thelwall, a little apart from the others; beside him is a paper: 'Lectures upon the Fall of the Republic by J. Thelwall' (see BMSat 8685); against his head lies the blade of a headsman's axe; Derby (in 'profil perdu'), Lauderdale, Stanhope, M. A. Taylor, and Hanger. The two central heads are Erskine and Sheridan; next the latter is Horne Tooke. Behind, and forming the apex of the pile, are the head of (?) Grey [Incorrectly identified in Wright and Evans as Wilkes. It is possible that the head here identified as Grey is Byng, and that identified as Bedford is Grey.] in profile to the left and the handsome head of (?) Bedford. In the background are clouds, and below (right) the top of a hill."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Tree of Liberty -- Foxites -- Clubs: Whig Club -- Weapons: spears -- Executioner's axe -- Allusion to Thelwall's Political Lectures.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 16th, 1797, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Hanger, George, 1751?-1824, Taylor, Michael Angelo, 1757-1834, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Lauderdale, James Maitland, Earl of, 1759-1839, Stanhope, Charles Stanhope, Earl, 1753-1816, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Bedford, Francis Russell, Duke of, 1765-1802, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, and Thelwall, John, 1764-1834