"Burke, writing as he walks, advances towards the door of the 'Crown & Anchor' tavern, over which is inscribed 'British Inquisition'. He wears a skull-cap and long legal robe, from his waist hangs a bag like that of the Great Seal, on which the royal arms are replaced by a crown and anchor and having a skull at each corner. His head is in profile to the left and he scowls with fiercely protruding lips. He holds up a large sheaf of paper headed 'Black List', his pen touching the last word of the inscription (a parody of Richard III): 'Beware of N--rf--k! --P--tl--d loves us not! - The R--ss--l's will not join us The Man of the People [Fox] has lived too long for us! The Friends of the People must be blasted by us! Sherridan, Ersk[ine].' On one of the door-posts is a narrow slit inscribed 'Anonymous - Letter Box'. The door of the famous tavern appears to be correctly depicted, but its lamps are surmounted by royal crowns."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Part of imprint scored through with an etched line., and Temporary local subject terms: Societies: Crown & Anchor -- Architectural details: doorway -- Lighting: tavern lamps -- Male costume: legal robes -- Literature: parody of Shakespeare's Richard III, i.3 -- Letter-boxes -- Travesties -- Propaganda -- Inquisitions: British inquisition -- Taverns: Crown & Anchor -- Lists: black lists -- Great Seal: travesty of the Great Seal -- Allusion to the 3rd Duke of Portland -- Allusion to the Russell family -- Allusion to the Friends of People.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 19th 1793 by H. Humphrey, N. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Crown & Anchor Soc, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823., Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815., and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816.
"A comet traverses the design diagonally and downwards from right to left across an aquatinted background; the head is that of the Prince Wales in a star, the tail contains the heads of his disappointed followers. This broadens as it recedes from the head; immediately after the Prince is the head of Sheridan, with a gloomy expression. Behind him are Fox, with a melancholy smile, and Portland, looking angry. After them comes the wig in back view of Lord Loughborough (see British Museum Satire No. 6796). Next come Stormont and (in 'profil perdu') North. They are followed by the Duke of Queensberry (one of the 'rats') holding up a quizzing-glass and Powys with his habitual melancholy scowl. Behind them are Lord Lothian (another 'rat'), Burke, with an angry frown, and the Duke of Norfolk. Between Norfolk and Queensberry is the 'profil perdu' of Derby. They are followed by Lord Sandwich, Bishop Watson of Llandaff, and Sir Grey Cooper. Next are two clerical wigs in back view identified by Miss Banks as Wilson, Bishop of Bristol, and Warren, Bishop of Bangor, while in the upper left corner of the print is the swarthy profile of Sawbridge. Beneath the title, and on the background which represents the sky, is etched: 'A Return of the Comet which appeared in 1761 [Above the final '1' of the date is a '2'.] is expected this Year and to be within our horizon from the month of Octr 1788 to Augt 1789 but is expected to be most -visible {if it forces itself upon our Notice) in the Winter months Febry & March ------ vide Dr Trusslers Almanack By some of the ancient Astronomers Comets were deemed Meteors kindled in the Air and designed as Presages or unlucky Omens of some disastrous Catastrophe------ The Peripateticks deemed them not permament Bodies but bodies newly produced and in a short Time to perish again, and affirmed that they were made up of Exhalations in the terrestrial Regions------ Sr Isaac Newton asserts That the Tail of a Comet is nothing else than a fine Vapour which the Head of the Comet emits by its heat that Heat the Comet receives from the Sun and the magnitude of the Tail is always proportional to the degree of heat which the Comet receives, and Comets which are nearest to the Sun have the longest Tails------'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched in image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Date precedes publisher's statement in imprint., and Mounted on page 67 with one other print.
Publisher:
Publd. by Thos. Cornell, Bruton Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Portland, William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of, 1738-1809, Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Mansfield, David Murray, Earl of, 1727-1796, Sawbridge, John, 1732?-1795, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Buccleuch, Henry Scott, Duke of, 1746-1812, Powys, Thomas, 1737-1809, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Sandwich, John Montagu, Earl of, 1718-1792, Watson, Richard, 1737-1816, Cooper, Grey, Sir, ca. 1726-1801, and Lothian, William John Ker, Marquis of, 1737-1815
"A comet traverses the design diagonally and downwards from right to left across an aquatinted background; the head is that of the Prince Wales in a star, the tail contains the heads of his disappointed followers. This broadens as it recedes from the head; immediately after the Prince is the head of Sheridan, with a gloomy expression. Behind him are Fox, with a melancholy smile, and Portland, looking angry. After them comes the wig in back view of Lord Loughborough (see British Museum Satire No. 6796). Next come Stormont and (in 'profil perdu') North. They are followed by the Duke of Queensberry (one of the 'rats') holding up a quizzing-glass and Powys with his habitual melancholy scowl. Behind them are Lord Lothian (another 'rat'), Burke, with an angry frown, and the Duke of Norfolk. Between Norfolk and Queensberry is the 'profil perdu' of Derby. They are followed by Lord Sandwich, Bishop Watson of Llandaff, and Sir Grey Cooper. Next are two clerical wigs in back view identified by Miss Banks as Wilson, Bishop of Bristol, and Warren, Bishop of Bangor, while in the upper left corner of the print is the swarthy profile of Sawbridge. Beneath the title, and on the background which represents the sky, is etched: 'A Return of the Comet which appeared in 1761 [Above the final '1' of the date is a '2'.] is expected this Year and to be within our horizon from the month of Octr 1788 to Augt 1789 but is expected to be most -visible {if it forces itself upon our Notice) in the Winter months Febry & March ------ vide Dr Trusslers Almanack By some of the ancient Astronomers Comets were deemed Meteors kindled in the Air and designed as Presages or unlucky Omens of some disastrous Catastrophe------ The Peripateticks deemed them not permament Bodies but bodies newly produced and in a short Time to perish again, and affirmed that they were made up of Exhalations in the terrestrial Regions------ Sr Isaac Newton asserts That the Tail of a Comet is nothing else than a fine Vapour which the Head of the Comet emits by its heat that Heat the Comet receives from the Sun and the magnitude of the Tail is always proportional to the degree of heat which the Comet receives, and Comets which are nearest to the Sun have the longest Tails------'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched in image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Date precedes publisher's statement in imprint., Watermark: fleur-de-lis., and Mounted to 31 x 42 cm.
Publisher:
Publd. by Thos. Cornell, Bruton Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Portland, William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of, 1738-1809, Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Mansfield, David Murray, Earl of, 1727-1796, Sawbridge, John, 1732?-1795, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Buccleuch, Henry Scott, Duke of, 1746-1812, Powys, Thomas, 1737-1809, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Sandwich, John Montagu, Earl of, 1718-1792, Watson, Richard, 1737-1816, Cooper, Grey, Sir, ca. 1726-1801, and Lothian, William John Ker, Marquis of, 1737-1815
"A comet traverses the design diagonally and downwards from right to left across an aquatinted background; the head is that of the Prince Wales in a star, the tail contains the heads of his disappointed followers. This broadens as it recedes from the head; immediately after the Prince is the head of Sheridan, with a gloomy expression. Behind him are Fox, with a melancholy smile, and Portland, looking angry. After them comes the wig in back view of Lord Loughborough (see British Museum Satire No. 6796). Next come Stormont and (in 'profil perdu') North. They are followed by the Duke of Queensberry (one of the 'rats') holding up a quizzing-glass and Powys with his habitual melancholy scowl. Behind them are Lord Lothian (another 'rat'), Burke, with an angry frown, and the Duke of Norfolk. Between Norfolk and Queensberry is the 'profil perdu' of Derby. They are followed by Lord Sandwich, Bishop Watson of Llandaff, and Sir Grey Cooper. Next are two clerical wigs in back view identified by Miss Banks as Wilson, Bishop of Bristol, and Warren, Bishop of Bangor, while in the upper left corner of the print is the swarthy profile of Sawbridge. Beneath the title, and on the background which represents the sky, is etched: 'A Return of the Comet which appeared in 1761 [Above the final '1' of the date is a '2'.] is expected this Year and to be within our horizon from the month of Octr 1788 to Augt 1789 but is expected to be most -visible {if it forces itself upon our Notice) in the Winter months Febry & March ------ vide Dr Trusslers Almanack By some of the ancient Astronomers Comets were deemed Meteors kindled in the Air and designed as Presages or unlucky Omens of some disastrous Catastrophe------ The Peripateticks deemed them not permament Bodies but bodies newly produced and in a short Time to perish again, and affirmed that they were made up of Exhalations in the terrestrial Regions------ Sr Isaac Newton asserts That the Tail of a Comet is nothing else than a fine Vapour which the Head of the Comet emits by its heat that Heat the Comet receives from the Sun and the magnitude of the Tail is always proportional to the degree of heat which the Comet receives, and Comets which are nearest to the Sun have the longest Tails------'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched in image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Date precedes publisher's statement in imprint., 1 print : aquatint and etching on wove paper ; plate mark 23.3 x 29.8 cm, on sheet 25.7 x 31.9 cm., and Mounted on leaf 49 of James Sayers's Folio album of 144 caricatures.
Publisher:
Publd. by Thos. Cornell, Bruton Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Portland, William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of, 1738-1809, Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Mansfield, David Murray, Earl of, 1727-1796, Sawbridge, John, 1732?-1795, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Buccleuch, Henry Scott, Duke of, 1746-1812, Powys, Thomas, 1737-1809, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Sandwich, John Montagu, Earl of, 1718-1792, Watson, Richard, 1737-1816, Cooper, Grey, Sir, ca. 1726-1801, and Lothian, William John Ker, Marquis of, 1737-1815
"A stage-wagon drawn (left to right) by four horses with human heads, whose large, hairy ears suggest asses rather than horses. The wagon is inscribed 'Fox. Sheridan & Pennylus. India Papers'. It is piled with books and documents, inscribed 'Vol. cxii, Letters &c, India Papers, Private Correspondence', and 'Delhi'. The tilt or cover, which is pushed back to show the papers, is punningly inscribed 'To Battle Hastings'. The two leaders are led by a demon who flourishes a whip; both have rosaries with crosses round their necks; the near leader is Burke wearing his Jesuit's biretta (cf. BMSat 6026), the other has some resemblance to Sheridan. The near wheeler is Fox, the off wheeler resembles Lord Surrey: the rosary would be more appropriate to him than to Sheridan. In the background is Brooks's, the cornice inscribed 'Brooks's hot-hell'. The building is drawn with topographical correctness, and resembles Malton's plate of 1800, except that it is detached on the north as well as the south. On the extreme left, behind the demon, is a post supporting a placard inscribed, 'In a Few Days will be performd a Comedy called Impeachment by a Ragged Company (late) His Majestys Servants Principal Characters by Mr A. Mr C. Mr F. Mr B Mr D. Mr G.' [William Adam?, John Courtenay (or Lord Carlisle), Fox, Burke, Lord Derby. [The identity of Mr G. is mysterious: Grey was not a M.P. till July 1786, his maiden speech being on 21 Feb. 1787]] Below the title is etched: 'N.B. the Proprietors (never) Acct for Plate, Money, Iewels, Notes or Bonds'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Partial watermark, top center; mounted to 33 x 43 cm.
Publisher:
Publishd as the act directs, April 1st, 1786, by Alexr. McKenzie, No. 101 Berwick Street, Soho
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, and Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818
"Plate to the 'Scourge', iv, before p. 349. An illustration to 'Elections in the Isle of Borneo', pp. 349-55, relating a dream in which the Prince chooses his Ministers and Household officers according to their proficiency in adultery. A sequel to British Museum Satires No. 11899. The Regent is enthroned under a canopy in the centre of a long platform backed by the pillars of Carlton House. Below is the cobbled street, with passers-by and spectators whose heads are just below the platform, so that the figures are arranged in two tiers. The Regent's throne is on a triple dais; he puts one arm round the waist of Lady Hertford who sits on his knee, holding at arms' length a brimming goblet. She puts her right arm round his neck, and also supports herself by placing a finger on the branching antlers of her husband, who stands in his chamberlain's robes, and holding his wand of office, beside the dais, at which he points with a complacent grin. He says: "My gracious Master is personelly acquainted with my merits, they live in his bosom, & he will reward me, according to my Deserts." Lady Hertford wears a spiky crown, and her vast spherical breasts are divided by a jewel in the form of the Prince's feathers with his motto 'Ich Dien.' The drapery over the throne is centred by the crowned skull of a stag, with wide antlers; in its nostrils is a ring from which a birch-rod hangs above the Prince's head. A grinning demon, standing on the antlers, straddles across the crown, holding up the drapery. On the left of the throne the Duke of York, in uniform with cavalry boots, his hand on his sword, stands swaggeringly. A woman clutches his arm and whispers in his ear; beside them is a basket containing three infants and inscribed 'Mother Careys Chickin' [see British Museum Satires No. 11050]. He says: "I was turned out of the Office I now solicit because I was too fond of a married Woman [Mrs. Clarke, see British Museum Satires No. 11216, &c.] & could not live without commiting Adultery I claim therefore to be once more elevated to the Office of Commander in Cheif." Behind Lord Hertford (and a pendant to Mrs. Carey) stands an elderly posturing peer, wearing a star, his hands deprecatingly extended. He says: "As for business I never had a Headfor't but I have laid the Country under a Massy load of Obligations in other respects Adultery is my Motto so give me ******ship of the H-." Next (right) is a group of three: the Duke of Cumberland in outlandish Death's Head Hussar uniform holding a sabre with a notched blade and seemingly dripping blood, though not so coloured. He stands between two young women; one, holding his arm, brandishes a razor over her head, the other holds a paper called 'Nugent'. The Duke says: "Considering my Exploits you cannot do less than make me a Field Marshal." On the extreme right is the Duke of Clarence in admiral's uniform with trousers, pointing to a broken chamber-pot ('Jordan') decorated with a crown and containing seven children, two in uniform. Mrs. Jordan takes him affectionately by the arm. He points downwards, saying, "I have lived in Adultery with an actress 25 years & have a pretty Number of illegetimate Children. I hope you will make me an Admiral of the Fleets." On the extreme left McMahon, dwarfish and ugly, stoops over the edge of the platform, pouring coins from a bag marked 'P P' [reversed letters], for Privy Purse (or Pimp), into the apron of a hideous bawd who grins up at him. He says: "Let her be forty at least, plump & Sprightly." Next stands Lord Yarmouth, wearing a star, his hands in his pockets, scowling at a young woman who puts her hands on his shoulders; he says: "Confound my Wishers if Venus alias Fanny Anny [Fagniani] may not go to Juno----I'm Vice all over. Let me con tinue so." Next is a tall man wearing a long driving-coat with a star and a small rakish top-hat (? Lord Melbourne); one leg terminates in a cloven hoof. He stands between two disreputable women of the lowest St. Giles type, ragged and hideous, an arm across the shoulders of each; both offer him drink, one takes him by the chin. A third and younger woman sits on the ground at his feet, drinking from a bottle. He says: "As for me my Name is sufficient, I am known as the Paragon of Debauchery and I only claim to be the-s [Regent's] Confidential Friend." On the ground (left to right) are the bawd receiving money from McMahon, a ragged dustman with the curved shin-bones then known as 'cheese-cutters', a result of rickets; George Hanger, with his bludgeon under his arm (cf. British Museum Satires No. 8889, &c.), saying, "Hang her She's quite Drunk"; Augustus Barry, grotesquely thin and very rakish, with long coat, standing with widely splayed-out feet. These three stare up at the throne, Barry looking through an eye-glass. A ragged, sub-human creature picks Barry's pocket, taking a paper: 'A Sermon to be Preached at Cripple gate by Revd Honble A Newgate'. A blind beggar (? a sailor) walks with a stick, and a dog on a string, holding out his tattered hat. A Quaker-like figure stares up at the platform where the legs of the seated prostitute hang over its edge, as does a beggar boy with badly twisted legs. Next, a fashionably dressed man and woman shake hands, bending to stare into each other's face. He takes her left hand. His dress resembles that of the dandy of a few years later: shock of hair, exaggerated neck-cloth, hussar-pattern trousers, and long tail-coat. The centre figure in this lower row is John Bull looking up angrily over his shoulder at the prostitute, and pushing away to the right three young girls; he says to them: "Get away get away, if you go near the Platform you'll be ruined." His bull-dog looks pugnaciously up at the platform. A tall emaciated cavalry soldier speaks to a woman in a poke-bonnet, while a little ragged boy clasps the long horse-tail which hangs from his helmet. On the extreme right is Sheridan in (ragged) Harlequin's dress (cf. British Museum Satires No. 9916), moribund or drunk, supported between two top-booted bailiffs; one holds a writ and says "Poor fellow his Magic wand is broken." On the ground lies his wooden sword in two pieces, one inscribed 'M', the other 'P'; at his feet is a paper: 'Princely Promises'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Election in the island of Borneo
Description:
Title etched below image., Plate from: The Scourge, or, Monthly expositor of imposture and folly. London: W. Jones, v. 4 (October 1812), page 349., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Window mounted to 36 x 51 cm., and Mounted opposite page 318 (leaf numbered '143' in pencil) in volume 2 of an extra-illustrated copy of: Moore, T. Memoirs of the life of the Right Honourable Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Publisher:
Published November 1st, 1812, by W.N. Jones, No. 5 Newgate Street
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Hertford, Francis Ingram Seymour, Marquis of, 1743-1822, Hertford, Isabella Anne Ingram-Seymour-Conway, Marchioness of, 1760-1834, Frederick Augustus, Prince, Duke of York and Albany, 1763-1827, Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover, 1771-1851, William IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837, Jordan, Dorothy, 1761-1816, McMahon, John, approximately 1754-1817, Hertford, Francis Charles Seymour-Conway, Marquess of, 1777-1842, Melbourne, Peniston Lamb, Viscount, 1745-1828, Hanger, George, 1751?-1824, Barry, Augustus, Honble., 1773-1818, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, and Carlton House (London, England),
Subject (Topic):
Harlequin (Fictitious character), John Bull (Symbolic character), Dustmen, Thrones, Canopies, Columns, Adultery, Antlers, Cobblestone streets, Demons, Military uniforms, Baskets, Infants, Daggers & swords, Poor persons, Pickpockets, Beggars, Staffs (Sticks), Prostitutes, Soldiers, and British
"A caricature of the famous scene in the House of Commons on 28 Dec. 1792. Burke (right) stands in profile to the left, his hands extended, having just thrown down the dagger, which lies at his feet; he looks with a contemptuous frown at Pitt and Dundas, who are seated on the Treasury Bench (left). On the extreme left the Speaker is represented by his hat, wig, and gown; his headlessness perhaps indicates Gillray's opinion of Addington. On the opposite side of the table Fox clutches his hat, looking at Burke out of the corners of his eyes with an alarmed expression; Sheridan, equally alarmed, clutches Fox's shoulder; behind them sits M. A. Taylor, clasping his hands. Burke, whose corpulence and a bag-wig suggest that he is now drawing funds from the Treasury, says: "There! that is what you are to gain by an alliance with France! - such are the Instruments with which they have determin'd the destruction of the Human race! - Three Thousand such Daggers are now manufacturing for this Country! - for where French principles are introduced, you must prepare your hearts for French Daggers! - Nineteen Assassins are already here, who aided & abbetted by wretches who do not believe in a God, are preparing to scour the filth from your Streets with the Blood of all who are Virtuous & Honorable!!" Pitt, seated in profile to the right, very thin, with his hair rising on his head in terror, says, "The blood of the Virtuous & Honorable ? then Lord have mercy upon Me!" Dundas, wearing a tartan plaid, adds, equally terrified, "And upon Me!" Fox says "Confusion! - one of Our daggers, by all thats bloody! how the devil did he come by that ? - ha! what's that ? Nineteen Assassins ? - O damnation! - we're found out & all our schemes ruin'd for ever!!!" Sheridan says: "O Charley, Charley! - farewell to all our hopes of Levelling Monarchs! - farewell to all our hopes of paying off my debts by a general Bankruptcy! - farewell to all hopes of plunder! - in a moment of Victory we're trap'd & undone!!!"."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Plot discover'd and Plot discovered
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Interiors: House of Commons -- Treasury bench -- Bland Burgess papers -- Weapons: daggers -- Legislation: Alien bill -- Speaker of the House., and Mounted.
Publisher:
Pubd. Decr. 30th, 1792, by H. Humphrey, N. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Taylor, Michael Angelo, 1757-1834, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, and Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844
"Naval mutineers, seated and standing at a long table, glare ferociously at Admiral Buckner, who stands (left) calmly, hat in hand, in profile to the right at the foot of the table. The man at the head of the table, seated in a chair which is higher than the others, holds a blunderbuss and wears a hat. He must be Richard Parker, but does not resemble him. At his elbow and on the extreme right stands Thelwall filling a glass from a 'Grog' can; he says "Tell him we intend to be Masters, I'll read him a Lecture"; from his pocket hangs a paper: 'Thellwals Lecture' (see British Museum Satires No. 8685). One man only is seated on the president's left and on the near side of the table. He places a fist on a long paper headed 'Resolutions'. Under the table in the foreground, lifting up the tablecloth, five secret instigators are (left to right): Lauderdale, holding a paper: 'Letter from Sheerness to Ld L------le'; Horne Tooke, Stanhope, Grey, Fox, the most prominent, saying, "Aye, Aye, we are at the bottom of it", and Sheridan. All have satisfied smiles. Four ruffians are seated at the farther side of the table, others stand behind them; one aims a pistol over the admiral's head, one man smokes, another chews tobacco, taking a quid from his box. Weapons lie on the table. On the wall behind them are a print of Britannia head downwards, and two torn ballads: 'True Blue an old Song' and 'Hearts of Oak are our Ships Jolly Tars are our men We alway are Ready', the last word scored through. On the right the slanting window of the captain's cabin is indicated."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Beggars on horseback
Description:
Title etched below image., Publisher's advertisement following imprint: Folios of caricatures lent out for the evening., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and MS. notes in pencil in an unidentified hand, describing the satire.
Publisher:
Published by S.W. Fores, N. 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Buckner, Charles, approximately 1735-1811, Grey, Charles, 2nd Earl, 1764-1845, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Lauderdale, James Maitland, Earl of, 1759-1839, Parker, Richard, 1767-1797., Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Stanhope, Charles Stanhope, Earl, 1753-1816, Thelwall, John, 1764-1834, and Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812
Subject (Topic):
Sandwich (Sloop), Nore Mutiny, 1797, Spithead Mutiny, 1797, Sailors, Admirals, Interiors, Mutinies, Firearms, Ships, and British
"Pitt as an alchemist, but dressed as usual, sits in his laboratory blowing a furnace with bellows formed of a royal crown. The furnace heats a large glass retort in which the House of Commons is being dissolved: the galleries are collapsing, the Speaker's chair is breaking, he and the clerks are asleep, the broken mace drops from the table, the books fly into the air and ascend with documents, &c, into the curving neck of the retort: 'Coke', 'Acts', 'Statutes', 'Rights of Parliament', 'Magna Charta', 'Bill of Rights', a cap of 'Libertas', the scales of Justice are flying upwards. The Ministerial members applaud; the Opposition are dismayed. Sheridan and Fox, though tiny, are conspicuous on the front bench. A stream of vapour issues from the mouth of the retort containing tiny grovelling figures of abject members who fill both sides of another House of Commons above and behind the alchemist's head, and prostrate themselves before a miniature Pitt, who sits on a throne which replaces the Speaker's chair, and is inscribed 'Perpetual Dictator'. He sits arrogantly, holding a sceptre; his legs are those of a bird of prey (cf. BMSat 7478), one foot is planted on 'Mag[na] C[harta]' and 'Acts of Parl[iament]'. His throne is surmounted by his crest, a stork holding an anchor, with the addition of a crown on the bird's head. A smaller retort on the extreme left, inscribed 'Aqua Regia', adds its vapour to that produced by Pitt. (Aqua Regia, used punningly, with a double meaning, is a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids which converts metals, even gold, into chlorides.) Pitt (the Alchemist) and the figures he is evoking, as well as the ministerialists in the dissolving House, wear the blue coat with red facings of the Windsor uniform. He sits in profile to the right on the model of a high rectangular building, 'a bastille', having a row of windows on the top story only; it is a 'Model of the new Barracks'. From his pocket hangs a paper: 'Receipe - Antidotus Republica'. On the right of the circular furnace is a coal-scuttle, inscribed 'Treasury Cole' (cf. BMSat 6213), and overflowing with guineas. On the other side is a pestle and mortar in which is Britannia's shield, about to be broken up. From the roof hang emblems of nefarious wizardry: a crocodile, a headsman's axe, a scorpion, a bull's head, a locust (cf. BMSat 8669), an asp issuing from an egg, a bat. On the wall are three rows of large jars, some with inscriptions: 'Ointment of Caterpillars' (beside Pitt's head, cf. BMSat 8676), '[Univer]sal Panacea', 'Oil of Influence', 'Extract of British Blood', 'Spirit of Sal: Machiavel.'"--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Alchymist producing an aetherial representation
Description:
Title etched below image., Temporary local subject terms: Parliament dissolutions -- Alchemists -- Allusion to Treasury -- Uniforms: Windsor uniform., and Watermark: J Whatman.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 21st, 1796, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
