"The managers of the impeachment of Hastings advance (left to right), led by Cornwall the Speaker who, raising his hat, holds out a roll, 'Articles of Impeachment', to Thurlow. Only the point of the Chancellor's hat and his hands, one holding the bag of the Great Seal, are visible on the extreme right. Burke, frowning fiercely, is next Cornwall. Immediately behind him is Francis, his left hand on Burke's shoulder, fixing Thurlow with a baleful glare; under his right arm is a large rolled document inscribed 'Evidence of Accusation'. Next are Fox and Sheridan facing each other, Sheridan in back view. Behind are Sir James Erskine with an imbecile expression (cf. British Museum Satires No. 7151), and John Anstruther (M.P. for Fifeshire boroughs) whose back is turned to Erskine. On the extreme left is Windham facing Andrew St. John. Behind them, seemingly taller than the others, and wearing a hat, is Courtenay."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched at top of image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Date of publication from British Museum catalogue., Text below image: And after five days the High Priest descended with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus who informed the Governor against Paul, and when he was called forth Tertullus began to accuse him saying &ca. Acts of the Apostles, Cap. XXIV., 1 print : etching on wove paper ; plate mark 26.3 x 36.7 cm, on sheet 28 x 40.2 cm., and Mounted on leaf 42 of James Sayers's Folio album of 144 caricatures.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, Cornwall, Charles Wolfran, 1735-1789, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Francis, Philip, 1740-1818, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Anstruther, John, Sir, 1753-1811, Windham, William, 1750-1810, and St. John of Bletso, St. Andrew, Baron, 1759-1817
"Burke dressed as a Roman senator, but wearing his own wig, stands, his head turned in profile to the left towards Hastings, whom he is denouncing; his right arm is raised holding up a paper inscribed 'Articles of Impe[achme]nt'. With his left arm he extends his cloak to shelter a seated figure on the right, who covers his face with his hands, and at whose feet lie a noose of rope and an open book, 'Cash Dr' and 'Cash C[r]' with ruled '£ s. d.' columns, the entries on the credit side being erased. Hastings, on the extreme left, is in oriental dress, his face turned aside, his hands held out as if protesting his innocence. In the air, hurled by Burke, are two papers: 'Treaty of Peace with the Mahrattas' and the portrait of an oriental, his hands bound, inscribed 'Cheyt Sing'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Eight lines of verse in two columns below title: Had Hastings been accus'd in Verres' time, and Asia's preservation been his crime ..., and Mounted on page 58 with one other print.
Publisher:
Publishd. 17th March 1786 by Thos. Cornell, Bruton Street
Subject (Name):
Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797 and Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818
"The managers of the impeachment of Hastings advance (left to right), led by Cornwall the Speaker who, raising his hat, holds out a roll, 'Articles of Impeachment', to Thurlow. Only the point of the Chancellor's hat and his hands, one holding the bag of the Great Seal, are visible on the extreme right. Burke, frowning fiercely, is next Cornwall. Immediately behind him is Francis, his left hand on Burke's shoulder, fixing Thurlow with a baleful glare; under his right arm is a large rolled document inscribed 'Evidence of Accusation'. Next are Fox and Sheridan facing each other, Sheridan in back view. Behind are Sir James Erskine with an imbecile expression (cf. British Museum Satires No. 7151), and John Anstruther (M.P. for Fifeshire boroughs) whose back is turned to Erskine. On the extreme left is Windham facing Andrew St. John. Behind them, seemingly taller than the others, and wearing a hat, is Courtenay."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched at top of image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Date of publication from British Museum catalogue., Text below image: And after five days the High Priest descended with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus who informed the Governor against Paul, and when he was called forth Tertullus began to accuse him saying &ca. Acts of the Apostles, Cap. XXIV., and Mounted on page 59.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, Cornwall, Charles Wolfran, 1735-1789, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Francis, Philip, 1740-1818, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Anstruther, John, Sir, 1753-1811, Windham, William, 1750-1810, and St. John of Bletso, St. Andrew, Baron, 1759-1817
"The managers of the impeachment of Hastings advance (left to right), led by Cornwall the Speaker who, raising his hat, holds out a roll, 'Articles of Impeachment', to Thurlow. Only the point of the Chancellor's hat and his hands, one holding the bag of the Great Seal, are visible on the extreme right. Burke, frowning fiercely, is next Cornwall. Immediately behind him is Francis, his left hand on Burke's shoulder, fixing Thurlow with a baleful glare; under his right arm is a large rolled document inscribed 'Evidence of Accusation'. Next are Fox and Sheridan facing each other, Sheridan in back view. Behind are Sir James Erskine with an imbecile expression (cf. British Museum Satires No. 7151), and John Anstruther (M.P. for Fifeshire boroughs) whose back is turned to Erskine. On the extreme left is Windham facing Andrew St. John. Behind them, seemingly taller than the others, and wearing a hat, is Courtenay."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched at top of image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Date of publication from British Museum catalogue., Text below image: And after five days the High Priest descended with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus who informed the Governor against Paul, and when he was called forth Tertullus began to accuse him saying &ca. Acts of the Apostles, Cap. XXIV., and Mounted to 37 x 56 cm.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, Cornwall, Charles Wolfran, 1735-1789, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Francis, Philip, 1740-1818, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Anstruther, John, Sir, 1753-1811, Windham, William, 1750-1810, and St. John of Bletso, St. Andrew, Baron, 1759-1817
"Burke dressed as a Roman senator, but wearing his own wig, stands, his head turned in profile to the left towards Hastings, whom he is denouncing; his right arm is raised holding up a paper inscribed 'Articles of Impe[achme]nt'. With his left arm he extends his cloak to shelter a seated figure on the right, who covers his face with his hands, and at whose feet lie a noose of rope and an open book, 'Cash Dr' and 'Cash C[r]' with ruled '£ s. d.' columns, the entries on the credit side being erased. Hastings, on the extreme left, is in oriental dress, his face turned aside, his hands held out as if protesting his innocence. In the air, hurled by Burke, are two papers: 'Treaty of Peace with the Mahrattas' and the portrait of an oriental, his hands bound, inscribed 'Cheyt Sing'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., and Eight lines of verse in two columns below title: Had Hastings been accus'd in Verres' time, and Asia's preservation been his crime ...
Publisher:
Publishd. 17th March 1786 by Thos. Cornell, Bruton Street
Subject (Name):
Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797 and Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818
"A fantastic representation of the supper at the ball given by the eleven Knights of the Bath installed on 19 May in Westminster Abbey, see BMSat 7318. Full accounts appeared in the newspapers, and the scene depicted appears intended for 'the Prince of Wales, Duke of York, and a select party of their friends' who 'supped privately in the cotillon room'. 'London Chronicle', 27 May 1788. The guests sit on each side of a long narrow table, scantily provided with food, the bench on the near side of the table showing legs and feet in characteristic attitudes. The design, long as it is, shows only a section of the table, the ends not appearing. [Pl. 1.] On the extreme left, on the near side two elderly and ugly ladies lean ingratiatingly towards Major Topham, the seat of whose breeches is decorated with Prince of Wales's feathers. On the opposite side, on the extreme left, is a couple identified as Sir J. Johnstone and lady. He is very unlike the herculean uncouth figure described by Wraxall, 'Memoirs', 1884, iv. 404. Next (opposite Topham) Lord Bathurst takes wine with Lord Stormont who grasps a decanter of French Wine. Burke, seated next Topham, on whom he turns his back, holds out an empty plate towards Hastings on the opposite side of the table who keeps to himself a whole ham; they regard each other with wary suspicion. On Hastings's left sits Mrs. Hastings, also looking warily at Burke. She is decked with jewels and wears a small crowned turban as a head-dress. Next her is a man wearing a ribbon and star, drinking, who is identified as the Marquis of Buckingham (K.G.). Opposite Mrs. Hastings sits a very fat lady talking to a lean man wearing epaulettes. They are identified as Mrs. Hobart [Whom she does not resemble] (actually Miss Jefferies) and Col. Jekyll. Next Jekyll, Lord Sandwich and an ugly (unidentified) man share the same jelly-glass, holding between them the plate on which it stands. On the extreme right, on the farther end of the table, a man of plebeian appearance drinks from a tankard; he is identified as Dr. Parr. The man between him and Buckingham is identified as the Duke of Portland, whom he does not resemble. [Pl. 2.] On the extreme left the Duke of Grafton turns towards the fat Mrs. Hobart (identified as Miss Jefferies). Opposite him a stout man drinking from a jelly-glass has been identified as Lord Nugent (whom he does not resemble). Next him Cornwallis, wearing ear-rings, puts his arm round the shoulder of a lady, identified as Lady Clive, who looks languishingly at him as she takes a (?) peach. Next her is Lord North. Opposite him is a man identified as Sir George Shuckburgh [He is unlike the Shuckburgh of Gillray's 'French Habits' (1798)] who takes his neighbour by the arm offering her a glass of wine; she demurs deprecatingly. On the farther side of the table, with no one seated opposite him, is the Prince of Wales, a fork held to his mouth (as in BMSat 8111), sitting impassively between Lady Archer and Lady Cecilia Johnston, two bedizened harridans, who ogle him, putting their hands on his shoulders. Next Lady Cecilia (right) is Mrs. Fitzherbert, ogling Wilkes, who sits next her, squinting and leering. On the near side of the table is a man in back view wearing a ribbon and (right) Lord Carlisle talking to Lord Heathfield who sits behind a sirloin of beef. Opposite him and on the extreme right is a pretty young lady identified as Miss Bingham. [Pl. 3.] On the extreme left, on the near side of the table, a middle-aged couple, holding knives and forks, turn to each other with animated smiles. Opposite them sits a good-looking young man wearing a ribbon and star (perhaps Lord Mornington). On his left the Duke of Richmond turns with an expression of pained surprise to Lord Rawdon. Opposite this pair two stout men turn to each other, both drinking. The central group of this plate, a pendant to that of the Prince of Wales on pl. 2, is the Duke of York sitting between two pretty young women, his right arm is round the shoulder of one, probably Lady Tyrconnel, the other holds his left arm and shoulder; both look languishingly at him. On the near side of the table are two more couples: Lord Amherst (caricatured) puts an arm round the waist of a lean and ugly old woman wearing the fashionable false 'derrière' in an exaggerated form. On the extreme right Lord Derby, his hand on his breast, drinks wine with the witch-like Lady Mount Edgcumbe. On the farther side of the table are two unidentified men, one of whom drinks from his plate; next him is a pretty young woman. On the extreme right Dundas turns to speak to his left-hand neighbour; he grasps a decanter and glass, spilling his wine. [Pl. 4.] On the farther side of the table Philip Francis turns to speak to Dundas. Opposite him, and on the extreme left, a stout lady, identified as Lady Salisbury (see BMSat 6115), sits in back view, her petticoats enormously inflated behind. She speaks to no one: Pitt, her right hand neighbour, leans behind the back of the Speaker (alternatively identified as Thurlow) to touch glasses with Fox, who smiles amiably, holding a decanter in his right hand. Cornwall bends avidly over his plate; he wears his Speaker's wig, the mace lies across his knees. Four figures sit opposite this group: the ugly Pepper Arden who gazes admiringly at a pretty young woman on his left; she appears displeased at her position between Arden and a fat woman who puts both knife and fork to her mouth. Next the latter is Lord Lansdowne, who seizes affectionately the hand of Lord Sydney who turns towards him with a smile; they drink to each other. Next Fox on the near side of the table a plain and elderly couple drink to each other; both are thin. They are identified as Lady Powlett and Sir H. Powlett. Opposite them, and, like the lady on his left, intent on his plate, is a military officer identified as General Bligh. His neighbour is old and haggard, her hair elaborately dressed. Next her and on the extreme right two men carouse together, both wear stars; one is identified as the Duke of Bedford, the other (right) as the Duke of Norfolk (neither had an order). Opposite, a man wearing a ribbon pours out wine for an elderly and ugly lady who receives the attention with a gesture of satisfaction. They are identified as Sir George and Lady Yonge. He is identical with the ass whose profile is shown on the extreme right in BMSat 7318, who can hardly be Yonge who appears elsewhere in that print."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Text in lower right corner of plate 4: All the works of Bunbury, & Gillray, to be had of S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly., A design on four plates, the prints to be pasted together to form a long strip; the imprint is on plate 1, the title on plate 2 and plate 3, the inscription relating to Bunbury, &c, on plate 4., Framed to 31 x 216 cm., and Several of the figures are identified in different hands below design. For further information, consult library staff.
Publisher:
Publish'd June 4th, 1788, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Topham, Edward, 1751-1820, Bathurst, Henry Bathurst, Earl, 1714-1794, Mansfield, David Murray, Earl of, 1727-1796, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, Hastings, Anna Maria Apollonia von Chapuset, 1747-1837, Sandwich, John Montagu, Earl of, 1718-1792, Grafton, Augustus Henry Fitzroy, Duke of, 1735-1811, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Archer, Sarah West, Lady, 1741-1801, Johnston, Henrietta Cecilia, Lady, 1727-1817, Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837, Carlisle, Frederick Howard, Earl of, 1748-1825, Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox, Duke of, 1735-1806, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Frederick Augustus, Prince, Duke of York and Albany, 1763-1827, Amherst, Jeffery Amherst, Baron, 1717-1797, Mount Edgcumbe, Emma Gilbert, Lady, 1729-1807., Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811, Francis, Philip, 1740-1818, Cecil, Mary Amelia, Marchioness of Salisbury, 1750-1835., Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Cornwall, Charles Wolfran, 1735-1789, Alvanley, Richard Pepper Arden, Baron, 1745-1804, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, and Sydney, Thomas Townshend, Viscount, 1733-1800
A bust portrait of a man wearing a turban covered in jewels, carrying a bulse. On the wall behind is a plan of the Battle of Hastings. In 1786 Warren Hastings forwarded a giant diamond from the Nizam of the Deccan as gift for George III, which was reported as a bribe from Hastings by his enemies
Description:
Title etched below image., Date of publication from dealer's description., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., For possibly related prints, see no. 6966 and no. 6978 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 6., and Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Nizām ʻAlī Khān, Nizam of Hyderabad, 1734-1803. and Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818.
"Letters on the design refer to an 'Explanation' etched below the title. A scene on the stage of a theatre symbolizes Westminster Hall. In the foreground a large cauldron is sinking through a rectangular opening in the floor. It is inscribed 'A. \ Exit in Fumo', explained as 'The Managers Cauldron'. From it rises a dense mass of dark smoke which divides into two curving branches, one on each side of a brightly irradiated bust of Hastings. The bust looks towards the Managers' box (right) and stands on a large rectangular pedestal inscribed: 'Virtus repulsæ \ nescia sordidæ \ incontaminatis \ fulget honoribus'. The cauldron is filled with burning documents, the origin of the smoke, inscribed, respectively: 'Charge', 'Charge Presents', 'Charge of Oppression', 'Charge of Cruelty', 'Charge of Extortion', 'Charge of Peculation in Contracts', 'Torture'. These are: 'B Ingredients mix'd up by the Managers to blacken C a character out of their reach'. Standing within another rectangular opening in the floor is Burke in profile to the left, gesticulating furiously, a paint-brush in his raised right hand, a document, 'more Ingredients', clasped in his left hand. He is: 'D One of the Managers & a principal Performer who having "Out-heroded Herod" retires from the Stage in a Passion at seeing the Farce likely to be damn'd.' Above the bust are two projecting beams, each supported by an angel (as in Westminster Hall), wearing a judge's wig and gown with a scroll issuing from the mouth. The figure on the left is Thurlow, looking calmly down, his hand on his breast and saying: "not black upon my Honour." The other is Loughborough, his head turned away, showing the back of his wig only (cf. BMSat 6796), and saying: "Black upon my Honour". They are: 'K a great Critic in a high Situation, who has paid close Attention. L another great Critic, not quite so good a Judge, giving his Opinion on the other Side'. On the right is a stage-box, representing the Managers' box. From it Fox, wearing a bag-wig, leans forward, looking excitedly and near-sightedly through his glass, his hand outstretched as if to restrain Burke. Behind him is the quasi-imbecile profile of Sir James Erskine (see BMSat 7152) looking over his shoulder. On the extreme right are the backs of the heads and shoulders of two Managers who are leaving the box. Below (right) a profile looks gloomily towards the stage. Fox is 'E Another Manager a great Actor very anxious about the fate of the Farce'. The others are 'eee Other Managers very well dress 'd [cf. BMSat 7309] but not very capital performers some of them tired of acting'. Just outside the box is the profile head of Francis, his baleful stare (as in BMSat 7292, &c.) fixed on the bust. He is: 'F The Prompter, no Character in ye farce but very useful behind the Scenes.' The outside of the box ('G The Managers Box') is traversed by the winding track of a snail, beginning in '1787' and meandering past '1788', '1789', '1790', '1791', '1792', '1793', '1794', the snail's head touching '1795'. A rat has gnawed a hole in the front of the box, though which he peers; in his mouth is a ticket: 'Permit the Bearer to Pass & Repass 1787 renew'd 1795', on which are indicated the arms of Sir Peter Burrell (on all tickets of admission, cf. BMSat 7276). Above the design is a stage curtain with the usual motto, 'Veluti in Speculum'. Below the stage (right) appear, in an oblong aperture fringed with flames ('H. a Court below to which the Managers retire upon quitting the Stage.'), the head and hands of a corpse-like Devil holding a pitchfork which points directly to the Managers' box. He is 'I Usher of the Mack Rod there'. He says: "By the pricking of my Thumbs, Something wicked, this Way comes." Below the 'Explanation: The Scene lies in an old Hall (formerly a Court of Law).'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., 1 print : etching with stipple on wove paper ; plate mark 39.1 x 27.6 cm, on sheet 40.8 x 28.5 cm., and Mounted on leaf 46 of James Sayers's Folio album of 144 caricatures.
Publisher:
Published 8th May 1795 by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Francis, Philip, 1740-1818, and Westminster Hall (London, England)
"Letters on the design refer to an 'Explanation' etched below the title. A scene on the stage of a theatre symbolizes Westminster Hall. In the foreground a large cauldron is sinking through a rectangular opening in the floor. It is inscribed 'A. \ Exit in Fumo', explained as 'The Managers Cauldron'. From it rises a dense mass of dark smoke which divides into two curving branches, one on each side of a brightly irradiated bust of Hastings. The bust looks towards the Managers' box (right) and stands on a large rectangular pedestal inscribed: 'Virtus repulsæ \ nescia sordidæ \ incontaminatis \ fulget honoribus'. The cauldron is filled with burning documents, the origin of the smoke, inscribed, respectively: 'Charge', 'Charge Presents', 'Charge of Oppression', 'Charge of Cruelty', 'Charge of Extortion', 'Charge of Peculation in Contracts', 'Torture'. These are: 'B Ingredients mix'd up by the Managers to blacken C a character out of their reach'. Standing within another rectangular opening in the floor is Burke in profile to the left, gesticulating furiously, a paint-brush in his raised right hand, a document, 'more Ingredients', clasped in his left hand. He is: 'D One of the Managers & a principal Performer who having "Out-heroded Herod" retires from the Stage in a Passion at seeing the Farce likely to be damn'd.' Above the bust are two projecting beams, each supported by an angel (as in Westminster Hall), wearing a judge's wig and gown with a scroll issuing from the mouth. The figure on the left is Thurlow, looking calmly down, his hand on his breast and saying: "not black upon my Honour." The other is Loughborough, his head turned away, showing the back of his wig only (cf. BMSat 6796), and saying: "Black upon my Honour". They are: 'K a great Critic in a high Situation, who has paid close Attention. L another great Critic, not quite so good a Judge, giving his Opinion on the other Side'. On the right is a stage-box, representing the Managers' box. From it Fox, wearing a bag-wig, leans forward, looking excitedly and near-sightedly through his glass, his hand outstretched as if to restrain Burke. Behind him is the quasi-imbecile profile of Sir James Erskine (see BMSat 7152) looking over his shoulder. On the extreme right are the backs of the heads and shoulders of two Managers who are leaving the box. Below (right) a profile looks gloomily towards the stage. Fox is 'E Another Manager a great Actor very anxious about the fate of the Farce'. The others are 'eee Other Managers very well dress 'd [cf. BMSat 7309] but not very capital performers some of them tired of acting'. Just outside the box is the profile head of Francis, his baleful stare (as in BMSat 7292, &c.) fixed on the bust. He is: 'F The Prompter, no Character in ye farce but very useful behind the Scenes.' The outside of the box ('G The Managers Box') is traversed by the winding track of a snail, beginning in '1787' and meandering past '1788', '1789', '1790', '1791', '1792', '1793', '1794', the snail's head touching '1795'. A rat has gnawed a hole in the front of the box, though which he peers; in his mouth is a ticket: 'Permit the Bearer to Pass & Repass 1787 renew'd 1795', on which are indicated the arms of Sir Peter Burrell (on all tickets of admission, cf. BMSat 7276). Above the design is a stage curtain with the usual motto, 'Veluti in Speculum'. Below the stage (right) appear, in an oblong aperture fringed with flames ('H. a Court below to which the Managers retire upon quitting the Stage.'), the head and hands of a corpse-like Devil holding a pitchfork which points directly to the Managers' box. He is 'I Usher of the Mack Rod there'. He says: "By the pricking of my Thumbs, Something wicked, this Way comes." Below the 'Explanation: The Scene lies in an old Hall (formerly a Court of Law).'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image. and Signed with the monogram of James Sayers.
Publisher:
Published 8th May 1795 by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Francis, Philip, 1740-1818, and Westminster Hall (London, England)
"Letters on the design refer to an 'Explanation' etched below the title. A scene on the stage of a theatre symbolizes Westminster Hall. In the foreground a large cauldron is sinking through a rectangular opening in the floor. It is inscribed 'A. \ Exit in Fumo', explained as 'The Managers Cauldron'. From it rises a dense mass of dark smoke which divides into two curving branches, one on each side of a brightly irradiated bust of Hastings. The bust looks towards the Managers' box (right) and stands on a large rectangular pedestal inscribed: 'Virtus repulsæ \ nescia sordidæ \ incontaminatis \ fulget honoribus'. The cauldron is filled with burning documents, the origin of the smoke, inscribed, respectively: 'Charge', 'Charge Presents', 'Charge of Oppression', 'Charge of Cruelty', 'Charge of Extortion', 'Charge of Peculation in Contracts', 'Torture'. These are: 'B Ingredients mix'd up by the Managers to blacken C a character out of their reach'. Standing within another rectangular opening in the floor is Burke in profile to the left, gesticulating furiously, a paint-brush in his raised right hand, a document, 'more Ingredients', clasped in his left hand. He is: 'D One of the Managers & a principal Performer who having "Out-heroded Herod" retires from the Stage in a Passion at seeing the Farce likely to be damn'd.' Above the bust are two projecting beams, each supported by an angel (as in Westminster Hall), wearing a judge's wig and gown with a scroll issuing from the mouth. The figure on the left is Thurlow, looking calmly down, his hand on his breast and saying: "not black upon my Honour." The other is Loughborough, his head turned away, showing the back of his wig only (cf. BMSat 6796), and saying: "Black upon my Honour". They are: 'K a great Critic in a high Situation, who has paid close Attention. L another great Critic, not quite so good a Judge, giving his Opinion on the other Side'. On the right is a stage-box, representing the Managers' box. From it Fox, wearing a bag-wig, leans forward, looking excitedly and near-sightedly through his glass, his hand outstretched as if to restrain Burke. Behind him is the quasi-imbecile profile of Sir James Erskine (see BMSat 7152) looking over his shoulder. On the extreme right are the backs of the heads and shoulders of two Managers who are leaving the box. Below (right) a profile looks gloomily towards the stage. Fox is 'E Another Manager a great Actor very anxious about the fate of the Farce'. The others are 'eee Other Managers very well dress 'd [cf. BMSat 7309] but not very capital performers some of them tired of acting'. Just outside the box is the profile head of Francis, his baleful stare (as in BMSat 7292, &c.) fixed on the bust. He is: 'F The Prompter, no Character in ye farce but very useful behind the Scenes.' The outside of the box ('G The Managers Box') is traversed by the winding track of a snail, beginning in '1787' and meandering past '1788', '1789', '1790', '1791', '1792', '1793', '1794', the snail's head touching '1795'. A rat has gnawed a hole in the front of the box, though which he peers; in his mouth is a ticket: 'Permit the Bearer to Pass & Repass 1787 renew'd 1795', on which are indicated the arms of Sir Peter Burrell (on all tickets of admission, cf. BMSat 7276). Above the design is a stage curtain with the usual motto, 'Veluti in Speculum'. Below the stage (right) appear, in an oblong aperture fringed with flames ('H. a Court below to which the Managers retire upon quitting the Stage.'), the head and hands of a corpse-like Devil holding a pitchfork which points directly to the Managers' box. He is 'I Usher of the Mack Rod there'. He says: "By the pricking of my Thumbs, Something wicked, this Way comes." Below the 'Explanation: The Scene lies in an old Hall (formerly a Court of Law).'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., and Mounted on page 63.
Publisher:
Published 8th May 1795 by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Francis, Philip, 1740-1818, and Westminster Hall (London, England)
