"Two men in back view walk arm-in-arm, one (left) is short and fat, the other tall and thin. The former wears a short coat or spencer over his tail-coat, with wrinkled top-boots and a round hat, and carries a riding-switch. His hair is in a short queue with projecting side-pieces. The other wears a cylindrical hat with brim curled up at the sides, a coat reaching almost to his ankles with five capes forming a point in the centre of the back, with shoes tied with strings. He carries a bludgeon. The shoulders of both men are frosted with powder, see BMSat 8190. There is a landscape background. The spencer was a short double-breasted overcoat without tails called after George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758-1834), who is probably here caricatured. Gillray anticipates the earliest use of the word (1796) in the 'O.E.D.' The name derives from Earl Spencer's bet in 1792 that he would invent a coat which should become the fashion. 'Social England', ed. Traill, 1904, v. 676. This garment was associated by Byron in 'English Bards and Scotch Reviewers' with Sir Lumley Skeffington (1771-1850) ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Spencer and a thread-paper and Spencer & a threadpaper
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Male costume: spencers -- Neologisms: spencer (coat).
Publisher:
Pubd. May 17th, 1792, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
"George III stands on a low rectangular platform placed upon a boarded floor and is approached from all sides by applicants for office. He is in back view, but turns his head in profile to the left, to inspect a group through his spy-glass, saying: Well Gentlemen,--I have taken a peep at you all: but I am afraid that you won't do--for some of you are too Heavy & Broad-Bottom'd for Service; & the rest seem to have no Bottom at all.--So Gentlemen, I think I shall he content with my Old Servants. In the front row (left), bowing low, are three Grenvilles, the Broad-Bottoms par excellence (see No. 10530): Grenville, holding a gold-laced coachman's hat and long whip, says: Does your Honor want a steady Broad-Bottom'd Coachman to drive you; in bowing he has split his tight breeches. His nephew Temple is next him, then the spectacled Buckingham who says: We'll do any Thing; his son (Temple) adds and in any Way! [cf. No. 10721]. Close behind is the emaciated Sidmouth, hat in hand and holding out a bottle labelled Cathartic; he says: Pray your Honor remember Doctor Slop! your Old Apothecary, who Physick'd the French! [see No. 9849]. Next him and nearer the spectator stands Whitbread, dressed as a porter, and mopping his head. His porter's knot is on the ground, inscribed: Saml Froth his Knot--Carries any Weight in any Weather. He supports against his knees a huge rectangular pile of Motions to be brought in the House of Commons. These are inscribed: Motion against Royal Family [cf. No. 11234]; Motion against the Ministry; against the War; against y Judges; against the Church; against Magna Charta; Motion against. He says: If his Honor wants an Honest Porter, I'm his Man! Behind him and on the extreme left Lord Henry Petty capers to a dancing-master's kit which he plays with his fingers; he asks: Does his Honor want a Fidler to play a Jig [see No, 10589]. Behind Petty and Whitbread are two men dressed as chairmen with straps across the shoulder: one is Grattan; the other (?) Ponsonby, asks: Does his Honor want a pair of Irish Chairmen to carry his Honor clean through the Mud? Behind these and in the doorway (left) is a group of three: Cobbett, holding up his hat and a sheaf of Cobbett Political Register, says: Does his Honor want a Patriotic Reformer? Burdett asks: Does his Honor want a Partner in Business!--ask him Townsend. Townsend, the Bow Street officer, holding up his constable's staff, faces the group, saying sternly: Out with you & be damn'd; from the back of his head a label floats towards the Grenvilles: Take care of your Pockets--Gentlemen Broad bottoms. Horne Tooke says: I'm not Bill Soanes [see No. 10708]. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Old English gentleman pestered by servants wanting places
Description:
Title etched at bottom of image., Mounted to 32 x 46 cm., and Figures identified by ms. notes in a modern hand.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 16th, 1809, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos, Duke of, 1776-1839, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Grattan, Henry, 1746-1820, Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of, 1780-1863, Whitbread, Samuel, 1764-1815, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Cobbett, William, 1763-1835, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812, Portland, William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of, 1738-1809, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Bedford, John Russell, Duke of, 1766-1839, Tierney, George, 1761-1830, Canning, George, 1770-1827, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, and St. Vincent, John Jervis, Viscount, 1735-1823
"Fantastic insects (l.), with human heads assail a hive (r.) standing on a low and very solid wooden stand, the 'Treasury-Bench'; ministerial bees emerge to defend it. The apex of the hive is a royal crown from which sprout ears of straw. In the upper left. corner is the grotesque body of Sidmouth terminating in a clyster-pipe inscribed 'Clysteria Ministeria'; the wings are bottles inscribed 'Emetic' and 'Cathartic' [cf. BMSat 9849]. Above him flies the head of (?) Fitzpatrick between wings inscribed 'Hedge Lane' and 'Chick-lane' (London slums and resorts of prostitutes). An adjacent aquiline profile resembles George Hanger. Below, and to the right., is Lauderdale, his wings patterned with tartan. Above (r.) is Erskine, in barrister's wig and bands, both wings inscribed 'Protest'. Next (r.), Moira is supported on ostrich-feather wings, indicating the Prince of Wales (see, e.g., BMSat 10253). Immediately below him is Grattan, with a barbed tail, his wings inscribed 'Irish Emancipation' [cf. BMSat 10404]. Next, and in the forefront, is Grey, like a dragon-fly (and striped blue and buff), his four wings inscribed 'Vanity'. In the next row below are (l. to r.) Ellenborough with malevolent features framed in a judge's wig; Bedford, his wings inscribed 'Disappointment'; Sheridan, his bloated body patterned like Harlequin (cf. BMSat 9916, &c), his wings inscribed 'Stale Jests' and 'Joe Miller'. The huge Temple has wings made of sheets of paper, inscribed 'Stationary', 'Fools-Cap', 'Gilt Post', and 'Wax', 'Pens', 'Wafers' [see BMSat 10721, &c.]. He spits copiously at the defenders. Next is the age-worn profile of Grafton. In the row below are (l. to r.) Lord Holland, with wings inscribed 'Volponean Rancour' [as nephew and devoted pupil of Fox, cf. BMSat 9892] and 'Kalpinist [Hindu] Subtilty'. Next, Lord Spencer, his wings inscribed 'Cunning Policy', and (behind) the profile of Lord Carlisle. Next, and immediately below his son Temple, is Buckingham, in spectacles and Garter ribbon, directing a blast from his 'broad bottom' against the crown on the hive. His wings are 'Catholic Loyalty' and 'Catholic Gratitude'. Close to him is the distended body of Grenville, marked with an irradiated cross and puffing a curling cloud at the enemy. His wings are 'Envy' and 'Ambition'. The three Grenvilles, 'Broad-Bottoms' (see BMSat 10530) par excellence, are close together, and in the centre front of the attack. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Mounted to 31 x 43 cm., and Pencil notations by Mrs. Annie Burr Lewis identifying most of the caricatured persons on the left.
Publisher:
Publish'd May 2d, 1808, by H. Humphrey, St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Lauderdale, James Maitland, Earl of, 1759-1839, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Hanger, George, 1751?-1824, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Bedford, John Russell, Duke of, 1766-1839, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, Grattan, Henry, 1746-1820, Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos, Duke of, 1776-1839, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834, Grafton, Augustus Henry Fitzroy, Duke of, 1735-1811, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Carlisle, Frederick Howard, Earl of, 1748-1825, Holland, Henry Richard Vassall, Baron, 1773-1840, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, William IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837, St. Vincent, John Jervis, Viscount, 1735-1823, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Stanhope, Charles Stanhope, Earl, 1753-1816, Tierney, George, 1761-1830, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of, 1780-1863, Whitbread, Samuel, 1764-1815, Canning, George, 1770-1827, Taylor, Michael Angelo, 1757-1834, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812, Eldon, John Scott, Earl of, 1751-1838, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, and Rose, George, 1744-1818
"A burlesqued illustration of the quotation from 'Paradise Lost' etched below the design ... In the upper left corner of the design, and in the background, an aged St. Peter holds open a small arched door, putting one of his three massive keys into the lock. The irradiated doorway is 'Popish Supremacy'; through it is seen a table, also irradiated, spread with loaves, fishes (cf. BMSat 10697), and wine. A golden staircase receding in perspective ascends in a curve to the door from the summit of the globe, on which 'Ireland' (the more conspicuous) and 'England' are marked. A procession of petitioners winds up the globe from the lower margin of the design; its leaders have begun to ascend the stairs but have been struck by three mighty blasts of wind. These issue from the mouths of Pitt, Hawkesbury (just below), and Sidmouth (considerably lower) Their profile heads emerge from dark clouds on the extreme left. The blasts have overthrown the leading petitioners: Grenville, in bishop's robes, staggers back with outstretched arms, his crozier and mitre fall, and the Catholic Petition blows from his hands, tattered by the wind, in a stream of 'popish' objects which slants upwards across the design. Immediately behind him, full face, the spectacled Buckingham staggers backward. He is dressed as a monk. In front of the two brothers Moira has fallen on his back on the third stair, kicking wildly, his upright l. leg expressing his characteristic stiff rigidity. He wears a surplice over regimentals and spurred boots, and his sword has broken. He has dropped the halter of the Irish bull on which sits Fox, dressed as a cardinal, the central figure of the design. The bull, snorting flames, rears violently, throwing Fox back into a horizontal position. Round its neck is a tricolour ribbon inscribed 'Order of St Patrick', from which hangs a medal with a profile of 'Buonaparte'; on its head is a bunch of shamrock. Fox is a Papal Legate; he is about to fall, and drops his triple cross to which is attached a tattered tricolour banner, inscribed 'Catholic Emancipa[tion']. His cardinal's hat flies off; from his left hand blows a document with many seals: 'Hierarchical Powers of ye Legate-Cardinal Volpone'. Mrs. Fitzherbert, a Mother Abbess, has fallen headlong from the stairs on to the globe. Her r. hand is on Ireland, resting on an open book: ' . . by the Brighton Abbess System of Education for the benefit of Protestant Children'; her left wrist is on England. Her crozier rests on the globe. Her robes, rent by the fall, display bare posteriors and fat, kicking legs, suggesting the connotation of 'abbess' and bawd, see BMSat 5184, &c. Moira has flung his left arm across her. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Four stanzas of verse below image, two on either side of title: "And now St. Peter at heav'n's wicket seems ..., and Sheet trimmed within plate mark on upper and lower edges.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 17th, 1805, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Grattan, Henry, 1746-1820, Holland, Henry Richard Vassall, Baron, 1773-1840, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of, 1780-1863, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Tierney, George, 1761-1830, William IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837, Bedford, John Russell, Duke of, 1766-1839, Carlisle, Frederick Howard, Earl of, 1748-1825, Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, and George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820
"A pair of breeches, formerly belonging to Fox, much inflated and forming two merging and transparent globes with projecting legs, is poised (at the seat) on three ostrich feathers, erect in a round bed of (ministerial) roses (see BMSat 10558, &c). Within these globes members of the Ministry sit at a round table, devouring loaves and fishes. The nearest ones are in back view, and have the heavy posteriors characteristic of the Grenvilles (cf. BMSat 10530). Lord Grenville, a fish in each hand, with Lord Ellenborough on his right, Buckingham on his left., and, next the latter, Lord Temple. They sit on a cushioned bench like those of Parliament, which follows the curve of the breeches. The others, left to right from Temple, are Spencer, Windham, Erskine, Petty, Lord Holland, [Identified by his own note.] Moira, who sits full face opposite Grenville, Lauderdale, Sheridan, Howick; Sidmouth on Ellenborough's right completes the circle. All are gormandizing on fish in different degrees, except Spencer and Holland who eat normally. Before Grenville is a dish containing two large fish: 'Treasury' and 'Exchequer', see BMSat 10543, &c. A dog, its collar inscribed 'Tierney', puts its forefeet on the bench, yapping at Grenville's back (cf. BMSats 10128, &c., 10603). On the ground beside him are three cats eating fish in a dish inscribed 'Tabbeys'; their collars are inscribed 'Bet Fox', 'Fitz', and 'Jordan'. Rats surround a dish inscribed 'Scribblers' [ministerial journalists and pamphleteers]. Larger rats in the Ministerial rose-bed gnaw at the feathers which support the breeches. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Political mathematicians shaking the broad bottomed hemispheres
Description:
Title etched below image., Two lines of quoted text following title, preceded by a curly bracket: "Mr. Paull is fixed upon a rock, and be assured he will prove the fulcrum by means of which the present Broadbottomites will be overset." Sir F. Burdett's speech., and Two lines of text near top margin of image: To that last hope of the country, "the New Opposition," this representation of "Charley's Old Breeches in Danger" is respectfuly [sic] submited [sic].
Publisher:
Publish'd Jany. 9th, 1807, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos, Duke of, 1776-1839, Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of, 1780-1863, Holland, Henry Richard Vassall, Baron, 1773-1840, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Lauderdale, James Maitland, Earl of, 1759-1839, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Paull, James, 1770-1808, Cobbett, William, 1763-1835, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Canning, George, 1770-1827, Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812, Rose, George, 1744-1818, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, and Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821
Political mathematicians shaking the broad bottomed hemispheres
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Plate numbered in upper right corner: T. IX., Plate no. IX from: London und Paris, vol. xix, 1807., Reduced copy of Gillray print published by H. Humphrey in 1807., Two lines of quotation preceded by bracket in lower right corner of plate: "Mr. Paull is fixed upon a rock, and be assured he will prove the fulcrum by means of which the present Broadbottomites will be overset! Sir F. Burdett's speech., and Two lines of text near top margin of print: To that last hope of the country, the New Opposition, this representation of "Charleys Old Breeches in Danger" is respectfully submitted.
Publisher:
Im Verlage des Industrie-Comptoirs
Subject (Name):
Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Lauderdale, James Maitland, Earl of, 1759-1839, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Paull, James, 1770-1808, Cobbett, William, 1763-1835, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Canning, George, 1770-1827, and Rose, George, 1744-1818
Protestant St. George too much for all the talons, or, the beast with seven heads and Beast with seven heads
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Watermark: Strasburg Lily., and Mounted to 29 x 38 cm.
Publisher:
Pub. by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837, Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, and Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834
"A lumbering wagon drawn (l. to r.) by eight asses is stuck fast, up to the axles in water; the asses strain hard to drag it up a steep slope to dry land. Its dilapidated tilt is much patched and is labelled 'British State Waggon 1804'. The wagoner, Addington (r.), kneels on an adjacent bank, and shouts to a fat and jovial John Bull, dressed as a volunteer, who stands on the opposite bank of the deeply sunken lane, his bulldog beside him. Addington wears a smock, but his powdered hair is in a black bag. He holds his long whip and his hat in his right. hand, and extends his left. arm, shouting, " - help, Johnny Bull! - help! - my Waggon's stuck fast in the Slough! - help! help." John, who holds his bayoneted musket, looks down at Addington, pointing behind him with outflung r. arm at thirteen horses with human heads above and behind him on rising ground. He answers: " - stuck fast in the Slough! - ay to be sure! - why dost'nt put better Cattle to thy Wain? - look at them there Horses doing o' nothing at all! - what ether they matches in Colour, if they do but drag the Waggon out o' the Mud! - don't ye see how the very thoughts o' being put into Harness makes 'em all love and nubble one another?" The horses, [The identifications (most being self-evident) are those of Miss Banks, the alternatives in brackets being those of E. Hawkins. Wright and Evans arrange them differently and omit Spencer and Lansdowne.] though close together, are in groups. On the extreme left., and rather behind the others, Lord Spencer (or Carlisle) rubs noses with Carlisle (or Lauderdale), Erskine (in wig and bands) with Wilberforce. In front of this group the bulky Lansdowne (or Norfolk) lies on the ground, asleep, his back to the others. Next, Grey turns his head towards the haughty Buckingham, who wears spectacles and a Garter ribbon. Their backs are turned to the main group of four: Fox, with a foreleg placed on Grenville's shoulder looks up affectionately at the latter, who responds with a complacent smile. Pitt watches the pair with haughty benignity; Canning, behind, watches them intently. On the extreme right. Sheridan (a plump piebald), scowling fiercely, kicks up his heels at Windham, who retorts with a blast of excrement, his head turned towards Fox and Grenville. In the foreground (l.) is the stage-wagon (the slowest form of transit), drawn by its eight undifferentiated asses. The tilt is open at the back, showing it crammed with bundles, &c. The centre-piece is a bulging sack: 'Budget for 1804', from which project papers inscribed 'Taxes'. A treasure-chest is inscribed 'Treasury'; coins pour from a hole in its side. It is flanked by two bundles: 'Secret Service Money' and 'Family Pickings'. A bundle of 'Pensions' consists of bulky papers inscribed 'Sinecure'. Large volumes tied together are 'New Acts of Parliament'. Other papers are 'Defence against Invasion'; 'State of Ireland'; 'East Indies'. A bundle of 'Loans for / 84' [sic] contains 'Navy Bills' and 'Exchequer Bills'. There are also three tiny barrels of 'Gun Powder' and a bundle of muskets inscribed 'Volunteers'. From the side of the wagon hangs a basket of 'Family Medicine' containing two bottles labelled 'Broth[er] Bra[gge]' and 'Brother Hiley'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
State wagoner and John Bull, Waggon too much for the donkeys!, and Wagon too much for the donkeys!
Description:
Title etched in upper left corner of image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark with loss of imprint. Imprint from British Museum catalogue., Mounted to 37 x 56 cm., and Collector's annotations on mount.
Publisher:
Publish'd March 14th, 1804, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street, London
Subject (Name):
Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Carlisle, Frederick Howard, Earl of, 1748-1825, Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Wilberforce, William, 1759-1833, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Windham, William, 1750-1810, and Canning, George, 1770-1827
"A satire on the peace negotiations and on Windham's Training Act. The scene is outside the 'Treasury', the lower part of its façade forming the background. Ministers and their supporters as 'Corporal and Conscripts' obey the orders of their 'Drill-Serjeant' Napoleon, who stands on the extreme left., his jack-boots firmly planted on cannon-balls him height. He extends his sword with an arrogant gesture, and fiercely orders: "Ground - Arms!" Next him, and in back view, but looking up at him, is Fox seated in an invalid's wheeled chair on the back of which are the coronet and feathers of the Prince of Wales. He is 'Grand Double Drums' and is vigorously beating a pair of kettle-drums, one inscribed 'GR' and crown, the other 'N' and crown. He wears a dressing-gown and bonnet rouge, and his enormously distended legs are straddled outside his drums. On Fox's r. is the 'Flugel Man', Grenville, going through the movement as a pattern to the other privates. He kneels on the left knee and grounds his musket, putting up his hand to shield his eyes; his bayonet is broken, as is its sheath. The 'Corporal & Conscripts' drawn up (r.) facing Napoleon attempt the movement with extreme awkwardness and obsequious haste, not excepting Windham the corporal, the end man (r.) of the front rank. Next him is Lord Holland, on both knees, with an amiable smile. Then Sheridan, very bulky and awkward, but unlike the others directing his musket towards Napoleon. Petty, on both knees, flings down his musket with an obsequious gesture. Next him Lord Temple grovels displaying spherical posteriors. Next, at the end of the line, and close to the gate of the Treasury, kneels Erskine, in wig and gown, raising his hat. In the second rank, behind Windham, is Howick, First Lord, deferentially raising a naval cocked hat; Sidmouth staggers back, throwing up his arms and dropping his musket which lands on his face. Next are Spencer, clumsily lifting his musket, and Ellenborough in wig and gown, with a blunderbuss which he seems about to dash violently on the ground. Behind him is Moira, stiff and tall, in uniform with cocked hat, holding up a musket exploding at lock and barrel. Behind and in shadow are (l. to r.) St. Vincent, Hanger, and the Duke of Clarence, all holding up the muskets which the next rank prevents them from grounding. Most of the 'conscripts' wear civilian dress with crossed bandoleers, and are in most unsoldierly confusion. By the Treasury gate and facing Erskine stands the 'Constable of the Corps', Talleyrand, holding a long constable's staff, crowned, his left. arm extended in a gesture of command; one twisted leg is supported by a stilt under the shoe. As ex-Bishop of Autun (see BMSat 8088) he wears a hat whose crown is a mitre, a long gown and bands over his coat, and a rosary. In his mouth is a pen. Above his head a bird with webbed wings and the head of Lauderdale flies towards Fox, clutching a paper: 'Terms of Peace'. In his mouth is a completely are olive branch. He wears a bonnet rouge, and his body is covered with tartan."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched at top of image., Series of mocking military are etched below image and correspond with figures in the design: Drill-Serjeant [Napolean], Constable of the Corps [Talleyrand-Périgord], Grand Double-Drums [Fox], Flugel Man [Grenville], Corporal & Conscripts [remaining figures]., Figures identified by ms. annotations in modern hand throughout outer margin of print., and Mounted to 35 x 46 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. Septr. 1st, 1806, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. Jamess [sic] Street
Subject (Name):
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Holland, Henry Richard Vassall, Baron, 1773-1840, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of, 1780-1863, Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos, Duke of, 1776-1839, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, St. Vincent, John Jervis, Viscount, 1735-1823, Hanger, George, 1751?-1824, William IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837, Talleyrand-Périgord, Charles Maurice de, prince de Bénévent, 1754-1838, and Lauderdale, James Maitland, Earl of, 1759-1839
