"A pair of breeches, formerly belonging to Fox, much inflated and forming two merging and transparent globes with projecting legs, is poised (at the seat) on three ostrich feathers, erect in a round bed of (ministerial) roses (see BMSat 10558, &c). Within these globes members of the Ministry sit at a round table, devouring loaves and fishes. The nearest ones are in back view, and have the heavy posteriors characteristic of the Grenvilles (cf. BMSat 10530). Lord Grenville, a fish in each hand, with Lord Ellenborough on his right, Buckingham on his left., and, next the latter, Lord Temple. They sit on a cushioned bench like those of Parliament, which follows the curve of the breeches. The others, left to right from Temple, are Spencer, Windham, Erskine, Petty, Lord Holland, [Identified by his own note.] Moira, who sits full face opposite Grenville, Lauderdale, Sheridan, Howick; Sidmouth on Ellenborough's right completes the circle. All are gormandizing on fish in different degrees, except Spencer and Holland who eat normally. Before Grenville is a dish containing two large fish: 'Treasury' and 'Exchequer', see BMSat 10543, &c. A dog, its collar inscribed 'Tierney', puts its forefeet on the bench, yapping at Grenville's back (cf. BMSats 10128, &c., 10603). On the ground beside him are three cats eating fish in a dish inscribed 'Tabbeys'; their collars are inscribed 'Bet Fox', 'Fitz', and 'Jordan'. Rats surround a dish inscribed 'Scribblers' [ministerial journalists and pamphleteers]. Larger rats in the Ministerial rose-bed gnaw at the feathers which support the breeches. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Political mathematicians shaking the broad bottomed hemispheres
Description:
Title etched below image., Two lines of quoted text following title, preceded by a curly bracket: "Mr. Paull is fixed upon a rock, and be assured he will prove the fulcrum by means of which the present Broadbottomites will be overset." Sir F. Burdett's speech., and Two lines of text near top margin of image: To that last hope of the country, "the New Opposition," this representation of "Charley's Old Breeches in Danger" is respectfuly [sic] submited [sic].
Publisher:
Publish'd Jany. 9th, 1807, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos, Duke of, 1776-1839, Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of, 1780-1863, Holland, Henry Richard Vassall, Baron, 1773-1840, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Lauderdale, James Maitland, Earl of, 1759-1839, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Paull, James, 1770-1808, Cobbett, William, 1763-1835, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Canning, George, 1770-1827, Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812, Rose, George, 1744-1818, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, and Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821