"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
"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
"A close parody of West's picture, 'The Death of Wolfe' (1771). The three officers supporting the mortally wounded Pitt are (left to right) Burke, Pepper Arden (Master of the Rolls), and Dundas. From Burke's pocket projects a paper 'Reflections upon £3700 Pr Ann.' (The policy indicated by his famous book, see BMSat 7675, &c, had been rewarded by two pensions, see BMSat 8654.) Dundas, wearing a kilt, offers Pitt a glass of wine (in place of stanching his wound); a bottle of 'Port' projects from his coat-pocket. The officer behind holding the British flag is identified by Lord Holland as Chatham and the man who supports him as Powys, noted for his propensity to tears (see BMSat 6642). The White Horse of Hanover (cf. BMSat 8691, &c.) on the flag is more conspicuous than in West's picture, and a scroll inscribed 'Magna Chart[a]' has been added. In the group facing Pitt the place of the Mohawk Indian seated on the ground is taken by Loughborough, half-naked, the purse of the Great Seal replacing the Indian's beaded bag, the mace that of his musket, a bloodstained headsman's axe that of his tomahawk. In place of the beaded headdress is the Chancellor's wig surmounted by a monster with the head of a cock, whose limbs are snakes. The two men who lean forward to Wolfe, pointing back to the messenger with the news of victory, are dressed as running-footmen in livery and hold the long sticks with the head enclosing an egg carried by these men. Ink-pots are slung across their shoulders by bands inscribed 'Ist Treasury Runner' and '2d Tre . . .', showing that they are the two Secretaries to the Treasury, George Rose and Charles Long. Grenville, in peer's robes, stands between Lord Mansfield and Windham, who supports him. In place of West's handsome young officer who runs up with the French flag is a man with the face of a demon holding a tattered tricolour flag inscribed 'Libertas', its shaft broken. A large bonnet-rouge lies on the ground. The couple who stand on the extreme right watching Pitt with clasped hands are Richmond and a man with a wooden leg. Richmond, in general's uniform, his bald head contrasting with the luxuriant hair of West's corresponding figure, has a cannon slung to his back to indicate his Mastership of the Ordnance (cf. BMSat 6921, &c.) in which, however, he had been succeeded by Cornwallis (Feb. 1795), see BMSat 8341. His weeping companion has been identified as Wilberforce, though his wooden leg might indicate Brook Watson, Commissary-General (see vol. vi). The background differs from West's picture. In place of the confused fighting and the smoke which surrounds the Heights of Abraham, the Ministerial cavalry advance in even line, rank upon rank, and put to flight a small body of sansculottes with bonnets-rouges (left). They have a standard on which is a crown. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Text below title: "We have overcome all opposition!, exclaimed the messengers. "I'm satisfied," said the dying hero, & expired in the moment of victory., Text at botton of plate: To Benjn. West Esqr., President of the Royal Academy, this attempt to emulate the beauties of his unequal'd picture ..., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on upper and lower edges., and Temporary local subject terms: Emblems: White Horse of Hanover -- Purse of the Seal -- Allusion to French Revolution -- Treasury -- Bills: Sedition Bill.
Publisher:
Pubd. Decr. 17th, 1795, by H. Humphrey, 37 New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811, Mansfield, David Murray, Earl of, 1727-1796, Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Rose, George, 1744-1818, Wilberforce, William, 1759-1833, Long, Charles, 1760-1838, Lilford, Thomas Powys, Baron, 1743-1800, Richmond, Charles Lennox, 3d Duke of, 1735-1806, Chatham, John Pitt, Earl of, 1756-1835, Alvanley, Richard Pepper Arden, Baron, 1745-1804, Watson, Brook, 1735-1807, Wolfe, James, 1727-1759., and West, Benjamin, 1738-1820.
"Fox seated on an ass takes leave of two ladies, one on each side of the ass, holding a hand of each. From under his saddle protrudes his India Bill. On his left stands the Duchess of Devonshire (right) holding out to him a fox's brush. She says: "Farewell my Charley - let no fears assail. For Sure no Fox had e'er so fine a Tail." Fox answers, looking down at her: "If that a Scrutiny at last takes place I can't tell how 'twill be & please your grace But Ladies for your Friendship & good will My Bushy Tail is at your service still." Lady Duncannon, holding Fox's right hand, looks across at the Duchess saying: "Ah! Sister, Sister, must he then depart To loose poor Reynard: almost breaks my heart." They stand outside a house; three ostrich feathers over the door (right) indicate Carlton House. From a window the Prince of Wales looks at the group below. On the extreme left and facing Fox, stands Burke in profile to the right as a post-boy in jack-boots, and holding a whip; under his arm is his 'Plan of economy' (cf. British Museum Satires No. 5657). A signpost points (left) 'To Coventry'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Later state, with new imprint statement and changes to the design. For a description of an earlier state in the Guildhall Library, see page 119 in the British Museum catalogue, v. 6., Date of publication based on earlier state in the Guildhall Library with the imprint "Pub. April 29th, 1784, by S. Hedges, Royal Exchange.", Dated by Grego to 18 May 1784, which is perhaps when the print was reissued., and Mounted to 30 x 43 cm.
Publisher:
Publish'd by W. Humphrey
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, Bessborough, Henrietta Frances Spencer Ponsonby, Countess of, 1761-1821, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, and Carlton House (London, England)
Subject (Topic):
East India Company, Politics and government, Coach drivers, Donkeys, Foxes, Riding habits, and Traffic signs & signals
Leaf 20. Caricatures drawn & etched by those celebrated artists Gillray, Rowlandson, Cruikshanks
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Abstract:
"Fox seated on an ass takes leave of two ladies, one on each side of the ass, holding a hand of each. From under his saddle protrudes his India Bill. On his left stands the Duchess of Devonshire (right) holding out to him a fox's brush. She says: "Farewell my Charley - let no fears assail. For Sure no Fox had e'er so fine a Tail." Fox answers, looking down at her: "If that a Scrutiny at last takes place I can't tell how 'twill be & please your grace But Ladies for your Friendship & good will My Bushy Tail is at your service still." Lady Duncannon, holding Fox's right hand, looks across at the Duchess saying: "Ah! Sister, Sister, must he then depart To loose poor Reynard: almost breaks my heart." They stand outside a house; three ostrich feathers over the door (right) indicate Carlton House. From a window the Prince of Wales looks at the group below. On the extreme left and facing Fox, stands Burke in profile to the right as a post-boy in jack-boots, and holding a whip; under his arm is his 'Plan of economy' (cf. British Museum Satires No. 5657). A signpost points (left) 'To Coventry'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Restrike. For an early reissue of the plate by William Humphrey, see no. 6563 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6., An impression of the earliest state of the plate, before changes to the design and bearing the imprint "Pub. April 29th, 1784, by S. Hedges, Royal Exchange", is in the Guildhall Library. For a description of this state, see page 119 in the British Museum catalogue, v. 6., Plate from: Caricatures drawn & etched by those celebrated artists Gillray, Rowlandson, Cruikshanks, &c. [London] : [Field & Tuer], [ca. 1868?], Cf. Grego, J. Rowlandson the caricaturist, v. 1, pages 140-1., and On leaf 20 of: Caricatures drawn & etched by those celebrated artists Gillray, Rowlandson, Cruikshanks, &c.
Publisher:
Publish'd by W. Humphrey [i.e. Field & Tuer]
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, Bessborough, Henrietta Frances Spencer Ponsonby, Countess of, 1761-1821, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, and Carlton House (London, England)
Subject (Topic):
East India Company, Politics and government, Coach drivers, Donkeys, Foxes, Riding habits, and Traffic signs & signals
The Devil, flying above the scene, has cast a fishing net over a table in the foreground of a large assemblage. A judge (?) outside the net on the left points to the individuals within. These are, from left to right, a man with spectacles holding a pen and writing in a book, his place card reading "The High Bailiff's conscience", followed by a central figure at whom the assemblage is looking, a young man in a fools cap, another man standing wearing clerical bands, and an old woman seated wearing a cap. At the right of the table stands a man who lifts the tablecloth to reveal the personification of Justice decapitated below, her scales lying next to her. In the foreground on the left a dog labelled "Prerogative" urinates on a round object. His collar is inscribed "W.P. Downing Street" (a reference to Pitt?). The man wearing spectacles is almost certainly Edmund Burke, the central seated figure perhaps the King, and the man lifting the tablecloth resembles Fox. Possibly relating to the 1783 Westminster election
"Pitt puts the Coalition to flight. He stands on the left, having just discharged an arrow from his bow, which pierces Fox (right) in the Achilles tendon. He says: "Thus do I strive with heart and hand To drive Sedition from the Land." Fox, prostrate and massive, supports himself on his hands to look at Pitt, saying: "There is nought but a place or a pension that will ease The Strain that I've got in my tendon Achilles." Burke, behind Fox, rushes away from Pitt, his arms outstretched in terror, saying: "Before thy Arrows Pitt, I fly O D--n that word prolexity." North, between Burke and Pitt, also in flight but holding a sword and shield, says: "This curs'd eternal Coalition Has brought us to a rare Condition." Pitt has a quiver with arrows slung across his shoulder; he, North, and Burke wear contemporary dress; Fox wears a tunic, greaves, and sandals."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Coalitions: Fox, North, Burke -- Mythology: Paris -- Sedition: in reference to Coalition of 1785 -- Burke's prolixity reproved by Pitt, July 30, 1784 -- Male costume: Achilles -- Weapons -- Quivers.
Publisher:
Pubd. Jany 7, 1785 by G. Wallis, Ludgate Hill
Subject (Name):
Achilles (Mythological character), Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, and Pitt, William, 1759-1806
"A design divided by a vertical line on one side of which is Burke (right) declaiming with raised arms and downcast head; on the other (left) a scene in India illustrating his speech. An Indian, Cheyt Singh, looks over a high stone wall whose parapet is decorated with plants in vases, saying, 'Gadzooker He has taken my Hooker'. On the ground beneath the wall are two hookahs puffing out smoke, and the leg of a seated soldier, his body being cut off by the edge of the design. Burke, facing right, exclaims, 'Guilty of not suffering him to smoke for the space of two Days.'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Signed with the monogram of James Sayers., Possibly a reissue; the digit "4" in "14th" in imprint has been etched over a mostly-burnished digit "3"., Date precedes publisher's statement in imprint., 1 print : etching on wove paper ; plate mark 16.3 x 15.4 cm, on sheet 18.4 x 17.2 cm., and Mounted with one other print on leaf 43 of James Sayers's Folio album of 144 caricatures.
Publisher:
Publd. by Thos. Cornell, Bruton Street
Subject (Name):
Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, and Chait, Singh, rajah of Benares, fl. 1775-1781
