"Robinson, wearing his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown, leans forward from the right to place an extinguisher on the head of Fortune who sits in profile to the left, on a small globe, regardless of her fate. He says: Come Madam put on your Night Cap. She is a comely young woman with feathered wings, and a high-waisted dress with classical sandals. Her Wheel of Fortune serves as back to her seat. She holds out a Ticket £20 000 to an eager and indignant crowd; in her left hand is a full purse. At her feet is a box of jewels, behind her a cornucopia from which pour gold coins, with a bag of Filings. At her feet four little blue-coat boys from Christ's Hospital kneel imploringly. Behind them are a brawny washer-woman and a gaily dressed young woman. The former points to tub, Soap, linen, and brush at her feet, and shouts to Robinson: Let her alone take off the Soap Tax. The latter screams Stop let Me get a Prize first. A burly bare-legged cobbler holds up an old shoe, shouting, give us a Lottery and no Leather Tax. A man next him shouts Shut up the Subscription Houses [clubs such as Brooks's]. The two on the extreme left shout No Tax on Tallow and No Horse Racing. A hideous man grovels on the ground behind Robinson to grab coins and two bags, Filings and Gold Dust, and a Prize Bag. He looks up, saying, Persevere and the Saints shall Praise you. Three men stand behind Robinson, watching; two say, with cynical smiles: Hear Hear I knew they'd Grumble and He's only a Young Chancsellor. The third says with a frown: Little Van knew [better] than to Abolish a Voluntary Tax. On Fortune's right is a pillar on which bills are pasted: Races Kings Cup, over which is a playbill: Fudge a Farce; above both is Reform . . . Parliament . . . Public Morals."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue and Grego., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Mounted on leaf 24 of volume 14 of 14 volumes.
Publisher:
Publd. September 18, 1823, by John Fairburn, Broadway, Ludgate Hill
Subject (Name):
Ripon, Frederick John Robinson, Earl of, 1782-1859