"Queen Caroline as Lucifera sits in a coach made up of objects which figured in the evidence against her. The driver is Bergami, whip in hand (thus representing Satan) on a high box seat; he turns to hand a bottle of wine to the Queen who holds a sack inscribed '50,000' [see British Museum Satires No. 14145]. The beam or chassis is a cannon (see British Museum Satires No. 13850), on this rests the body of the open coach, the front part being the prow of a boat (the polacca, see British Museum Satires No. 13818), the centre part a tub, representing the bath, see British Museum Satires No. 13819, the back part, half of the body of a travelling-coach, is surmounted by half a conical tent (see British Museum Satires No. 13818), the whole making a canopy over the Queen. On the tub-section a coat-of-arms is represented by a diamond-shape blank (hatchment-wise) with two supporters, Bergami and the Devil. Motto: 'Ama et Aude'. The six animals harnessed single file and their riders are adapted from the 'Faerie Queene', relevant quotations being etched below, in eight compartments. The procession advances from the right, down a slope towards a slough, on the verge of which the leading animal, an ass, has fallen, throwing its rider, Alderman Wood in his livery gown, who has dropped two large stacks of papers: 'Addresses ready made' [cf. British Museum Satires No. 14119] and 'Plate Subscription' [see British Museum Satires No. 14196]. Below: 'Ignorance Might seem the Wain was very Evil led, When such an One had guiding of the way, That knew not whether right he went or else astray.--' [I, iv. 19.] [He replaces the 'Idlenesse' of the original.] The next four carry banners, each topped by a bonnet rouge; the leader is Dr. Parr on a large pig, as 'Gluttony the second of the crew'. He smokes his accustomed pipe, holds an open book; on his banner is 'Un-Sunned Snow' [see British Museum Satires No. 13975]. Below: 'And next to him rode loathsome Gluttony, deformed Creature, on a filthy Swine' [ibid. 21]. Next, on a goat, is Lord Grey, holding a banner inscribed 'Purity' and a staff topped by a burning heart. He wears a garland of white roses over his shoulder. Below: '--Sir G Rat-- In a Green Gown he cloathed was full fair, And in his hand a burning heart he bare' [ibid. 25]. (He is the 'lustfull Lechery' of the original.) He is followed by Brougham riding a wolf (fifth in the original), in wig and gown, holding a broom and a banner inscribed 'Innocence'. Below: 'And next to him malicious Envy rode upon a ravenous Wolf .....He doth backbite and spitefull poison spews' [ibid. 30, 32]. Next (last in the original), riding a fierce lion, is Burdett wearing makeshift and partial armour, a small red cap, and a tricolour sash; he holds up a firebrand and a red flag inscribed 'Victory or Death' [cf. Hunt's motto in 1819, see British Museum Satires No. 13279]. Below: 'And him beside ride fierce revenging Wrath, Upon a Lion loath for to be led, And in his hand a burning brand he hath, The which he brandisheth about his head' [ibid. 33]. Last (fourth in the original) a stout man mounted on a camel holds before him a copy of 'The Times', from a stack of the papers on his knee. He wears an apron with rolled-up shirt-sleeves (like a pressman) and top-boots, and is clearly Barnes (a fair portrait). Large saddle-bags are inscribed 'Hush Money, Pub[lic] Money', and '£500 Weekly'. Below: 'And greedy Avarice next him did ride, Upon a Camel, loaded all with Gold For of his wicked Pelf his God he made, And unto Hell himself for money Sold' [ibid. 27]. The last two inscriptions (right) describe Bergami and the Queen: 'And after all upon the waggon beam Rode Satan with a smarting Whip in hand, With which he forward lashed the lazy Team, As oft as Ignorance ['Slowth' in original] in the Mire did stand [ibid. 36]. So forth She comes and to her coach does climb [ibid. 17] The which was drawn by six unequal Beasts, On which her six sage Counsellors did ride' [ibid. 18]. Queen Caroline is compared to Lucifera: That made her selfe Queene, and crowned to be, Yet rightfull kingdome she had none at all, . . . [ibid. 12]."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Theodore Lane in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Mounted on page 46 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Published by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James's St.
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, Bergami, Bartolomeo Bergami, Baron, Wood, Matthew, Sir, 1768-1843, Parr, Samuel, 1747-1825, Brougham and Vaux, Henry Brougham, Baron, 1778-1868, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, and Spenser, Edmund, 1552?-1599.
