Folding plate (also issued separately) to 'Anti-Jacobin Review', i. 285, illustrating extracts from a pamphlet published by Wright: Considerable allowance to those who purchase Thousands and Tens of Thousands for distribution. A burlesque of the trial of O'Connor at Maidstone (22 May), parts of the court being hidden by the large labels which issue from the mouths of prisoner and witnesses. The presiding judge (Buller) looks down with horror at the witnesses, the other judges are hidden. O'Connor (not caricatured), wearing leg-irons, stands at the bar; his hands are clasped, and he bends forward in profile to the left, making a confession which, though condensed, does not differ substantially from that made by him, McNevin, and Emmet, and published in the Report of the Secret Committee made to the Irish House of Commons on 21 Aug. ('Lond. Chron.', 27 Aug.), ... 'I confess, that I became an United Irishman in 1796 & a Member of the National Executive, from 1796, to 1798. I knew the offer of French assistance was accepted at a meeting of the Executive in Summer 1796: I accompanied the Agent of the Executive (the late Lord Edward Fitzgerald) ...had an interview with General Hoche (who afterwards had the command of the expedition against Ireland) on which occasion every thing was settled between the parties with a view to the descent. ... "--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Plate from: Caricatures of Gillray, London, John Miller, [ca. 1824-1827], opposite page 17., and Mounted to 30 x 37 cm.
Publisher:
Published by John Miller, Bridge Street, and W. Blackwood, Edinburgh
Subject (Geographic):
Ireland
Subject (Name):
O'Connor, Arthur, 1763-1852, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, and Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823
Subject (Topic):
Emblems, Judges, Justice, Nooses, Scales, Traitors, Trials, litigation, etc, Witnesses, History, and Politics and government
"A burlesque of the trial of O'Connor at Maidstone (22 May), parts of the court being hidden by the large labels which issue from the mouths of prisoner and witnesses. The presiding judge (Buller) looks down with horror at the witnesses, the other judges are hidden. O'Connor (not caricatured), wearing leg-irons, stands at the bar; his hands are clasped, and he bends forward in profile to the left, making a confession which, though condensed, does not differ substantially from that made by him, McNevin, and Emmet, and published in the Report of the Secret Committee made to the Irish House of Commons on 21 Aug. ('Lond. Chron.', 27 Aug.), see BMSat 9244, &c. ... From O'Connor's pocket hangs a paper: 'The Press by O'Connor' [inflammatory organ of the United Irishmen, see BMSat 9186]. Round his neck is a noose of rope held by the hand emerging from clouds of the (invisible) Justice; in her right hand are equally balanced scales. The witnesses to O'Connor's character are speaking simultaneously. Four stand in the foreground in profile to the right, behind a barrier, looking towards the judge across a table. Fox (right), nearest O'Connor and the spectator, holds the book to his lips, his raised left arm thrust forward in a rhetorical gesture. ... From his pocket projects a book: 'Letters to Lord Ed F. M O'Connor &c &c.' (cf. BMSat 9244). Next stands Sheridan, with a sly expression, holding the book, 'Four Evangelists', his hat in his left hand; he testifies ... Next is Erskine, kissing the book, with left arm raised oratorically ... Next (left) is the Duke of Norfolk, kissing the book, his expression and attitude suggesting embarrassment. ... On the extreme left and behind Norfolk is Grattan. ... Among a crowd of other heads, chiefly hidden by labels, is one resembling Tierney. Above this phalanx of Opposition witnesses is a crowded gallery. Three counsel (the Attorney-General (Scott), Solicitor-General (Mitford), and (?) Garrow), who sit beneath the judges, are divided from the witnesses by a table covered with papers, &c, one being conspicuous: 'Charges of High Treason against Arthur O'Connor, Oliver Bond Dr McNevin.'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Plate from: The Anti-Jacobin review and magazine, or, Monthly politique and literary censor. London, 1798, v.1, p. 285., and Temporary local subject terms: Irish Rebellion, 1798 -- Trials: O'Connor's treason trial at Maidstone, May 1798 -- Judges -- Witnesses -- Emblems: scales of Justice -- Noozes -- Pamphlets: Reference to Character or the Innocent Imposture.
Publisher:
Pubd. Octr. 1st, 1798, by J. Wright, 169 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
England and London
Subject (Name):
O'Connor, Arthur, 1763-1852, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, and Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823
"The members of the Secret Committee of the Commons are seated round a table examining the documents relating to the United Irishmen and other revolutionary societies. A lamp on the table illuminates a large framed transparency [The transparency, a large pictorial design lit from behind, was a popular form of street illumination. On 5 Nov. 1813 (for the battle of Leipzig) Ackermann displayed on the façade of his 'Repository' Rowlandson's 'The Two Kings of terror, afterwards published as a print. Broadley, i. 338.] divided into four equal sections which hangs from the ceiling and conceals the heads of the Committee ; the four scenes depict the supposed intentions of the revolutionaries. The transparency is irradiated, throwing into deep shadow members of the Opposition in the foreground (right), who flee from the room in a body, terror-struck. The nearest (three-quarter length) are Erskine, clutching a brief-bag, Fox, M. A. Taylor, and Norfolk. Behind these are Tierney, Sheridan, and Nicholls; in the last row are Sir J. Sinclair, Burdett, Moira, Bedford. The two most prominent members, though in back view with heads obscured, suggest Pitt (left) and Dundas (right); they read papers inscribed 'Scheme to Overthrow the British Constitution, & to seize on all public Property and Invitation to the French Republic'. Over the edge of the table hang the bulky 'Reports of the Secret Committee of the House of Commons.' On the floor are four papers: 'Names of Traitors now sufferd to remain at large'; 'Oath of the Members of the Society of the United Irishmen in London'; 'Account of ye Lodge of United Englishmen, & of the Monks of St Ann's Shrine' [see BMSat 9217]; 'Proceedings of the London Corresponding Society with a list of all the Members.' [See BMSat 9189, &c] The transparency is suspended on tricolour ribbons. Titles are engraved on the frame: [1] 'Plundering the Bank'. A scene in the Rotunda; tiny figures hasten off with sacks of gold, the most prominent being Tierney with '£10000'. Sir William Pulteney (identified from his resemblance to BMSat 9212) staggers off to the left with two sacks; the poker-like Moira has a sack on his head; two men dispute over a sack, one being Walpole with his huge cocked hat, the other resembling Jekyll; Sheridan (right) slouches off with two sacks. Proletarians exult over small money-bags. [2] 'Assassinating the Parliament'. The interior of the House of Commons is realistically depicted; the Opposition violently attack the occupants of the Government benches, daggers being the chief weapon. Erskine (left) is about to murder Dundas; Fox strikes at Pitt, holding him by the throat, while Sheridan is about to stab Pitt in the back. The puny Walpole tries to drag the Speaker from his chair, while Burdett raises the mace to smite him. Sir John Sinclair raises a broadsword to smite a man held down by little M. A. Taylor. Volumes of 'Acts and Statutes' fall to the floor. [3] 'Seizing the Crown. \ Scene the Tower'. Exulting plunderers emerge from the gate of the Tower on to the drawbridge. Bedford, dressed as a jockey (cf. BMSat 9380), walks ahead with two sacks: 'New Coinage' and 'New Guineas'; Fox, [Identified by Grego as Lansdowne.] smiling, holds the crown; Lauderdale, wearing a kilt, carries the sceptre. Just behind is Sir George Shuckburgh. Stanhope (or Grattan) carries a sack, 'Regalia of E[ngland]'. On the right a chimney-sweep and others dance round a bonfire in which 'Records' are burning. Cf. BMSat 7354, where Fox carries off the crown from the Tower. [4] 'Establishing the French Government. \ St James s Palace'. French troops march with arrogant goose-step and fixed bayonets into the gateway of the palace; their large tricolour flag is inscribed 'Vive la Republique Français'. In the foreground is planted a tall spear surmounted by a bonnet-rouge (a tree of Liberty, cf. BMSat 9214, &c.); at its base are decollated heads wearing coronets and a mitre. They are cheered by spectators (right): Grattan holding 'Grattans Address', Norfolk holding his staff, Lord Derby in hunting-dress standing on an overturned sentry-box, Moira standing like a ramrod. ...."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Two lines of text below title: Representing the Secret-Committee throwing a light upon the dark sketches of a revolution found among the papers of the Jacobin societies lately apprehended ..., and Sheet trimmed to plate mark.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 15th, 1799, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James Street, London
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Taylor, Michael Angelo, 1757-1834, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Tierney, George, 1761-1830, Nicholls, John, 1745?-1832, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Sinclair, John, Sir, 1754-1835, Bedford, Francis Russell, Duke of, 1765-1802, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811, Jekyll, Joseph, 1754-1837, Walpole, George, 1761-1830, Pulteney, William, Lauderdale, James Maitland, Earl of, 1759-1839, Shuckburgh-Evelyn, George Augustus William, Sir, 1751-1804, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Stanhope, Charles Stanhope, Earl, 1753-1816, and Grattan, Henry, 1746-1820
"The Foxites rise from their chairs at a club-meeting to sing the National Anthem in the manner of a catch, each repeating a different line. The chairman is Fox, who stands at the head of the table (l.) holding up a punch-bowl and ladle. He sings with upturned eyes, "God save great George our King". Sheridan and Norfolk are on his right. and left hand; both gaze at him intently; Norfolk sings "Long live our Noble King". Sheridan echoes "God save the King"; he holds up the music, inscribed with the same words. From his pocket hangs a playbill, only the words 'Vivant Rex et Regina' being visible. On the farther side of the table, next Norfolk, stands Moira, in regimentals, taller than the others and holding out his cocked hat. He says "Send him Victorious Happy and Glorious", and is followed by little Lord Derby, opposite, who stands with one foot on his chair, the other on the table, singing "Long to Reign over us \ God save the King." Lord Henry Petty, very small, leans against the back of Derby's chair, his right. arm round the waist of Erskine, who rests his left. arm on Petty's shoulder. Both wear their Chancellor's gowns, Erskine also his wig; the mace leans head downwards against his chair. They sing respectively: "O Lord our God arise" and "Scatter our Enimies". Opposite them stands Whitbread; he holds up a frothing tankard of 'Whitbre[ad's] Entire' [see BMSat 10421], singing "And make them Fall". On the extreme right., partly cut off by the margin, less ecstatic than the others, Grey [Identified by Miss Banks as Windham, but quite unlike him.] sings: "Confound their Politicks \ Frustrate their Knaveish tricks \ On thee our hopes we fix, God save us all." The Royal Arms decorate Fox's ornate armchair. From the back of Sheridan's overturned chair it appears that the other chairs are similarly decorated."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title engraved above image., Imprint, publication date, and artist from British Museum catalogue., Description based on imperfect impression; sheet trimmed within plate mark resulting in loss of imprint and printmaker., and Mounted to 30 x 41 cm; ms. annotations in modern hand, identifying subjects in print.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 1805 by Walker, No. 7 Cornhill
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, and Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of, 1780-1863
"Ministerial rats with human heads scamper about a barn, searching for food. John Bull, a yokel in a smock and holding a pitchfork, holds open one leaf of the door facing the spectator, to watch their antics with amusement. George III, in profile to the right., puts a hand his shoulder, and says: "What! What! looking for Grain, eh! looking for grain; it's all gone, all gone all gone, quite Empty." John answers: "Why, these Hungry Rats thought to have had some fine pickings, I warrant, but egad they'll he woundedly mistaken, tho'f they seem to want it nationly; but that dom'd Scotchman [Melville] carried off a rare lot of it & as to poor Billy the Butler [Pitt] why he was so fond of a drop of Black Snap, [Perjorative for thick, sweet port. Partridge, 'Slang Dict.', 1938.] that when he and his friends, not at it, d'ye see, the rest of the Servants did as they pleased, poor Rogues I'se afraid they'll Undermine the Barn they're so main Hungry." The rats are on a smaller scale. On the extreme left., Lord Derby peeps from a bin inscribed 'Treasury', saying, "Why I suppose the Old Rat Died because there was nothing to feed upon." Moira climbs down a tilted sieve, Grenville sniffs at an upturned '[T]reasury' tub on which Lord Ellenborough sulkily reposes. Grey scampers towards an empty lantern but Windham has dragged out its candle and is nibbling at it. Sheridan races towards the candle from the r. Behind him is Erskine, looking sly. A bulky animal wearing a garter ribbon, probably the Marquis of Buckingham, lies with its head inside an empty '[T]reasury' sack. Fox and Bedford nibble at a pile of tattered and folded sacks on which is Lord Spencer, looking down at them. In the background are three other rightats, whose heads are less characterized: those on the left may be Sidmouth and Lauderdale; one nibbling a bundle of straw (r.) resembles Burdett."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Printseller's announcement following imprint: Folios of caricatures lent out for the evening., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Watermark: Strasburg Lily., and Mounted to 31 x 42 cm..
Publisher:
Pubd. March, 1806 by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, and Bedford, John Russell, Duke of, 1766-1839
"George III, in profile to the right., has risen from the throne to receive the new Ministry whom he inspects through his glass (as in BMSat 10019). The head and halberd of a beefeater appear behind the throne. All bend low; Fox, the foremost, makes the lowest and most obsequious bow. His court suit, with flowered waistcoat, and coat with too much gold lace, is worn with his old buff breeches. Grenville, beside him, makes a gesture of introduction. Crowded behind these two are the others: Windham with his hand on his heart, Sheridan looking eager but apprehensive, Moira and Sidmouth more impassive; Erskine, in Chancellor's wig and gown, smiles with complacent egotism (cf. BMSat 9246, &c); on the extreme right. is (?) Lord Henry Petty. The King says: "Gentlemen I am very happy to see you here, in such Talents my People must have the most Implicit Confidence, & well as myself - Hum, don't like the Mixture. - " The new Ministers say simultaneously (dotted lines rising from each head to the inscription): 'We assure your M-----of our most confirmed Integrity, & are determined to make the - the the most of our places."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Strangers at court and Promising scene
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Printseller's announcement following imprint: Folios of caracatures [sic] lent out for the evening., Descriptive phrase following title: A promising scene., and Mounted to 30 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 10th, 1806 by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, and Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826
"Erskine stands directed to the right, a sheaf of papers in his right hand, his left held out in a declamatory gesture. He wears a long gown over a black tunic and sash, with a broad white collar. His advocate's wig has a red patch on the crown of his head. His shoes have bunches of tricolour ribbons. He stands on a flagged floor facing a part of the floor paved in black and white, where the judges may be presumed to sit; their presence is indicated by heavy cast shadows. The wall is pilastered."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Seventh plate in the series "French habits." First plate in the series has series title "Habits of new French legislators and other public functionaries.", Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: French costume: Directory lawyer.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 21st, 1798, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
"Members of the new Ministry in a handsome room prepare themselves for office, each intent on his toilet. Both Fox and Grey look into a large pier-glass on the extreme left., whose frame is surmounted by the Royal Arms and Prince's feathers, indicating Carlton House and the Prince's 'ostentatious patronage' of the new Ministry. [W. Fitzpatrick, 'H.M.C., Dropmore MSS.' viii, p. viii.] Fox (Foreign Secretary), wearing a tattered shirt, shaves, holding a small bowl filled with lather. On a chair are the coat (blue with red facings, the Windsor uniform) and feathered cocked hat which he is about to put on; against it leans a sword with a jewelled hilt, while his discarded coat and bonnet rouge with tricolour cockade lie beneath it. Beside him stands the taller Grey, brushing his teeth. He wears naval uniform (as First Lord) Behind him, also in profile to the left., stands Sidmouth (Lord Privy Seal), his head and shoulders the centre of clouds of powder, which Vansittart is puffing at him from a powdering-bag. His Windsor uniform is protected by a long towel; in his coat pocket is a clyster-pipe (see BMSat 9849). In the foreground little Lord Henry Petty struts with pointed toe, delighted at the effect of his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown, which trails on the ground behind him, far too long. Windham (Secretary for War and Colonies), behind him, sits full face over a tub, washing his feet; he wears waistcoat and rolled-up shirt-sleeves; his hat and stockings are on the ground. Next is the centre figure, Lord Grenville (First Lord of the Treasury), in shirt and bag-wig, hitching up his breeches, and thus accentuating his heavy posteriors, which gave a second meaning to the term Broad-bottom Ministry (see BMSat 10530). Moira (Master of the Ordnance) stands stiffly with his back to the wall, tying his high black stock. He wears regimentals with boots and cocked hat. The Duke of Bedford, very neat in shirt and breeches, sits on a stool pulling on a top-boot, resting his leg on the left shoulder of Tierney, who sits at his feet, drawing on a Hessian boot. Both are in profile to the right., and are preparing for a journey to Ireland. Beside Bedford are two papers: 'New way of Improving the Irish-Breed of Black Cattle' and 'Road from Wooburn Farm to Ireland' [on this Tierney is sitting]. Behind Bedford, Sheridan struggles into a shirt; on the wall hangs his discarded Harlequin dress with mask and wooden sword (see BMSat 9916). Lord Spencer (Home Secretary), behind and on the r. of Sheridan, in waistcoat and shirt-sleeves, washes his hands in a basin on a table. On the extreme right. is the corner of a dressing-table, in the mirror of which Erskine delightedly adjusts his hat over his Chancellor's wig. He wears an enormously long Chancellor's gown with the Purse of the Great Seal hanging from his arm. Behind him on the wall hangs his discarded barrister's wig. The mace, reversed, leans against the table."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Etching based on Gillray print with same title published by H. Humphrey in 1806., Williams' copy after Gillray. Cf. No 10531, Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8, and Figures identified by ms. notes in modern hand located around perimeter of sheet.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby., 1806 by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Tierney, George, 1761-1830, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, and Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826
"Fox stands, declaiming violently to his supporters, who surround him. He holds out a paper: 'Ruination - New Tax one Tenth of Income & Property, to Support the accursed War, of the Infamous Minister'. His clenched right fist is raised, and he says: "Gentlemen; - we are all ruin'd we sha'n't have Five Guineas left to make a Bett with! - one Tenth dead, without a single throw of the Dice! - why its worse than the French Game of Requisition; - for in that there would be some chance of coming in for Snacks!" He is dishevelled and ragged, with a padlocked 'Begging Box' slung round his shoulder (see BMSat 8331, &c). Erskine stands beside him in profile to the left as in BMSat 9246, holding a brief-bag: 'Republican Causes'. He says: "I wish it was to come on in the Kings-Bench for I would take up a Brief against him there, gratis; - but I dont like to say any thing to him in t'other place" [see BMSat 8502]. M. A. Taylor, like a small fat boy, wearing a tricolour suit and a bonnet-rouge in the form of a fool's cap, says, looking up at Fox: "One Tenth? - why he takes us for Boys or Chicks! [see BMSat 6777] zounds what a funk I am in." Tierney, wearing a ragged coat, stands in profile to the right, saying, "10 per Cent? - why it will make Bankrupts of all my Friends in in [sic] the Borough [see BMSat 9045]; ah the Villainous Cutthroat he wants to bring us to St Georges's Fields at last." Next Tierney stands Horne Tooke, saying, "One Tenth? - mum! - get it of me if you can tell how to get blood from a Post - or from one of the Gibbets at Wimbleton! - why its a better Subject to Halloo about than the Brentford Election." (He lived largely on the bounty of his friends.) On the right, behind Erskine, are the Duke of Bedford, dressed as a jockey (cf. BMSat 9380), saying, "Damn their 10 per Cents, I'll warrant I'll Jockey 'em as I did with the Servants Tax" [see BMSat 9167], and Norfolk, a bottle of Port in each waistcoat pocket, saying: "Why it will ruin us all! - One whole Tenth taken away from the Majesty of the People? - good heavens! - I must give up my Constitutional Toasts, & be contented with 4 Bottles a day" [see BMSat 9168, &c.]. Derby, in hunting-dress, says: "I must sell my Hounds, & hang up my Hunting Cap, upon my Horns!" [cf. BMSat 6668]. Nicholls peers through a glass, saying, "I see clearly he wants to keep us out of place, & fill his own pockets". On the extreme right stands Burdett, saying, "Dam'me! if my Lady Ox------d [see BMSat 9240] must not leave off wearing Trousers & take care of her little 10 pr Cent." On the left, outside the Foxite circle, stand four others: Sinclair, barefooted and wearing a kilt and plaid, scratches his arm (cf. BMSat 5940), saying "De'el tak me, but it gees me the Itch all o'er, to be prime Minister mysell; - out o' the 10 pr Cents I could mak up for ye loss of my place at the Board" (see BMSat 9271). George Walpole [Identified by Wright and Evans as Tarleton.] (see BMSat 9376), very thin, and wearing his enormous cocked hat, says with clenched fists: "Pistols! - I say, - Pistols! for the Villain! - zounds, I wish I had my Long-Sword here, & a few Moroons, I'd teach him how to humbug us out of our Property." (He had been Tierney's second, see BMSat 9218, and had taken a leading part in suppressing an insurrection of maroons in Jamaica in 1795.) Moira stands stiffly erect, saying: "An upright Man can see things at a distance; - yes! [See BMSat 9184.] I can plainly perceive, he would cut us down One Tenth, that he may be above us all." Pulteney, on the extreme left, peers through an eye-glass, saying, "10 per Cent? mercy upon me! where am I to get 10 per Cent? - ay I see I shall die a Beggar at last" [see BMSat 9212]. Behind Fox are two silent supporters: (left) Stanhope (or perhaps Grafton) saying "Mum", and (right) Sir George Shuckburgh, full-face."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Temporary local subject terms: Taxation: Income Tax -- Sir William Pulteney, 1729-1805 -- Quizzing glasses., and Mounted to 33 x 48 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. Decr. 13th, 1798, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Tierney, George, 1761-1830, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Taylor, Michael Angelo, 1757-1834, Shuckburgh-Evelyn, George Augustus William, Sir, 1751-1804, Bedford, Francis Russell, Duke of, 1765-1802, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Nicholls, John, 1745?-1832, Sinclair, John, Sir, 1754-1835, Walpole, George, 1761-1830, and Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826
"Pitt, a colossal figure (cf. BMSat 8980), bestrides the Rotunda of the 'Bank of England'. His arms and legs are very thin, but his body is formed of a (transparent) sack distended with gold coins and inscribed '£'. His elbows are akimbo, his hands grasp the sides of the sack; from the little finger of his left hand hangs a key, 'Key of Public Property'. Round the mouth of the sack is a heavy chain clasped by a padlock inscribed 'Power of securing Public Credit'. From the sack emerges the pipe-like neck down which coins are passing. Pitt looks arrogantly to the right, a blast issues from his closed lips of many paper notes inscribed 'one'. Near his mouth are a few gold coins which he is presumably inhaling. He wears a crown formed of 'one' pound notes; through it project his ass's ears. The near side of the Rotunda is removed, showing a descending shower of paper and an ascending cluster of coins which are being drawn upwards to join those in the sack. Little figures in and around the rotunda, under Pitt's legs, hold up their hands in dismay at the shower of £1 notes. Among them is a John Bull wearing a smock. Two men hold papers inscribed 'Dividend'; a Jew walks off (left) with 'Scrip'. On the left, behind Pitt's right foot, is the sea-shore; large reeds at its edge blow towards him; among these are five heads wearing bonnets-rouges, each with a label issuing from his mouth: 'Midas has Ears'. They are Fox, Sheridan, Erskine, M. A. Taylor, and (?) Grey. They diminish in size from Fox to Taylor. Across the sea is 'Brest', from which a fleet is setting out. Behind it are black clouds, and an explosion rises from them in which are swarms of tiny figures holding daggers and wearing bonnets-rouges. This spreads behind Pitt's head who appears unconscious of it. He looks down towards three almost naked winged figures: Grenville (left) and Dundas (right) hold up between them a scroll: 'Prosperous state of British Finances. & the new Plan for diminishing the National Debt - with Hints on the increase of Commerce'. Between and above them is Windham, Secretary-at-War, a pen behind his ear. He waves his cocked hat, Grenville his coronet, and Dundas his Scots cap. Beneath the title: 'History of Midas, - The great Midas having dedicated himself to Bacchus [cf. BMSat 8651], obtained from that Deity, the Power of changing all he Touched - Apollo fixed Asses-Ears upon his head, for his Ignorance - & although he tried to hide his disgrace with a Regal Cap, yet the very Sedges which grew from the Mud of the Pactolus, whisper'd out his Infamy, whenever they were agitated by the Wind from the opposite Shore - Vide Ovid's Metamorposes.'"--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Midas transmuting all into paper
Description:
Title etched below image. 'Gold' in title scored through., Three lines of text below title: History of Midas -- The great Midas having dedicated himself to Bacchus ..., Temporary local subject terms: Money: coins -- Bank notes -- Cupids -- Brest -- French fleet., and Mounted to 46 x 33 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 9th, 1797, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Taylor, Michael Angelo, 1757-1834, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, and Bank of England.
