"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
"Mrs. Clarke auctions commissions from a rostrum to a crowd of bidders, while the Duke of York acts as her clerk. All are unconscious of a net in which they are enclosed, and with which the Devil flies off into flames (right). Mrs. Clarke (right), in profile to the left, with raised hammer, holds out a paper headed Commission. She says: Going for no more than £500 a Commission Positively worth 5000. An officer, probably Dowler, see British Museum satires no. 11253, holds out his arms towards her, saying, my dear dear dear Angel Knock it down to me or I am ruin'd. Another says: Let the good Bishop [the Duke, see British Museum satires no. 11227] have the Game & we my Boy will have the Cream. The other applicants are in civilian dress; one says to the bidder: my dear fellow dont be so anxious for depend upon it these tricks will be Found out & all will be Lost. The Duke of York, in uniform, records the bids in a book, his pen resting on the figure 500. He says Thus am I content to record & ratify the Destruction of the Army, my Country & myself, rather than loose my dear DARLING to [cf. British Museum satires no. 11228]. The Devil looks over his shoulder at Mrs. Clarke to say with a baleful grin: Going, Going Gon you may now say, for I have You tight enough my dear Honey."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Four lines verse below title: Who for the tricks he has done in the dark, is content to be his darling Clark's clerk. And to cure her from being more love sick, has given her a royal dukes bishopric., Sheet trimmed to plate mark at top., and Mounted on linen and formerly sewn in an album, with only the holes remaining on the left edge. Also numbered in pencil on verso: PM-02-17-Hi. HE $800.
Publisher:
Pubd. 22nd April 1809 by J.H. Warl, London
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain and Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Clarke, Mary Anne, 1776?-1852 and Frederick Augustus, Prince, Duke of York and Albany, 1763-1827
Subject (Topic):
Political corruption, History, Sex, Political aspects, Corruption, Military officers, British, Auctions, Nets, and Devil
