"John Bull, blindfold, stands on a massive truncated pillar holding the beam of a pair of scales. In one scale (left), near the ground, Mrs. Clarke sits composedly among a mass of papers, holding one inscribed My dear Dearest Dearest Darling [see British Museum satires no. 11228, &c.]. The others are inscribed: Sandon, Toyne [Tonyn], Dowler, Omeara, Carter, French, Knight, Clavering. In the other scale the Duke of York swings high in the air, and shouts down to three men on the ground: Save me save me Save my Honour [cf. British Museum satires no. 11269]. They haul hard at ropes attached to his scale, which they tilt sideways so that he is in danger of falling out. One, a drink-blotched bishop wearing a mitre, says: Pull away Pull away the Church is in danger; the other two say: Pull away Pull away we lose all our Places, and Pull away pull away we shall lose our Noble Commander. On the pillar Britannia is depicted seated with her shield and lion; she holds the broken staff of a flag."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
John Bull as Justice weighing a commander
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Isaac Cruikshank in the British Museum catalogue, with a possible collaboration with George Cruikshank also noted., and Mounted on linen and formerly sewn in an album with only the holes remaining on top edge.
Publisher:
Pubd. by J. Johnstone, 101 Cheapside
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Clarke, Mary Anne, 1776?-1852 and Frederick Augustus, Prince, Duke of York and Albany, 1763-1827
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Britannia (Symbolic character), Political corruption, History, Sex, Political aspects, Justice, Blindfolds, Scales, Columns, and Bishops
