"The figures are numbered, referring to a short printed explanation beneath the plate. A man (1), England, dressed only in a shirt, with an expression of horrified rage, is being held by two men, (4) and (5), representing Denmark and Sweden. France (7) stands behind him about to place a fool's cap on his head. Russia (right) (3), a stalwart man wearing a fur cap and long gown, is about to strike him with a large club. A plainly dressed man (2), America, runs off to the left with his clothes, looking back with a smile. Holland, as a Dutchman (6), kneels on the ground fixing shackles to the ankles of the Man in the Shirt. The scene is the sea-shore. Small vessels (left) (8) have boards on the top of their bare masts; behind them are ships in full sail (9). A man (10) clenches his fist at the sight of the vessels. In the foreground lie torn documents (11). The explanation, translated: (1), "A man in a shirt in a great rage; (2), an American, who carries away his money and clothes laughing; (3), a Russian threatening to strike him; (4) and (5) hold each an arm; (6), a Dutchman who puts chains on him; (8), some dismantled privateers; (9), a fleet of merchant ships sailing undisturbed; (10), a man who sees this, stamping his feet; (11), some torn-up treaties." 1780 Etching with letterpress explanation"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed., and One figure in print identified (in ms.?) as B. Franklin.
Design occupying top third of plate shows Bute driving a cart labelled G.R. III, having just crossed the Rubicon, laden with National Debt, Pensioners, etc., drawn by ministerial donkeys including ones labelled North, Germaine, Sandwich, and Weymouth. The donkeys are assailed by opposition dogs Burke, Wilkes, Fox etc. In the upper left an overloaded boat depicts the "Commissioners setting off for America." Smaller insets beneath the main image refer to the balance of power and antiministerial demonstrations. Two columns of dialect verse beneath image, follow the title "A new gallant shew or the ministry's cabinet & minority's closet broke open" signed at bottom by Doodle Doodle Doo. A criticism of both governmental ministry and the opposition
Alternative Title:
View of the political state of the nation
Description:
Title from item., Imperfect; cropped with loss of imprint and last 2 lines of verse., Date of publication from English political caricature., Publisher from impression in John Carter Brown Library., "Price 1 shilg.", and Mounted to 33 x 35 cm.
Publisher:
Publish'd as the act directs May 11, 1778 at Darly's, Strand
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain, United States, and America.
Subject (Name):
Bute, John Stuart, Earl of, 1713-1792., North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792., Sandwich, John Montagu, Earl of, 1718-1792., Sackville, George Germain, Viscount, 1716-1785., Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797., Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790., Hancock, John, 1737-1793., and Adams, John, 1735-1826.
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, History, Colonies, Donkeys, Carts & wagons, Dogs, Seesaws, and Coats of arms
An air balloon inscribed, "America," floats above a group of spectators who include, on the left, a Spaniard and a Frenchman, tied together with a chain and padlock and, on the right, a Dutchman with little devils climbing out of his pocket. Between them stands Franklin. In the background, Charles Fox and Lord North dance merrily to a tune played by the devil who is identified as 'Director general.' Next to them, a number of people vomit under a heavy block inscribed, "Opression taxes," on which stands the gallows with the corpses of 'trade,' 'wealth,' and 'liberty' hanging from it. In the balloon's basket are Washington, with two faces, stretching his arms towards the ghost of Cromwell, and Silas Deane, shaking at the sight of the ghost of "John the Painter" (James Aitken). Numbered figures are identified by references above the image
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Plate "No. 8" in lower right below image.
Publisher:
Pubd. as [the] act directs Decr. 29, 1783 by G. Humphrey, No. 48 Long Acre
George III, surrounded by members of the present and former governments, stands on the British shore of the Atlantic Ocean. He holds out his arms in a gesture of uncertainty asking, "My Lords and Gentlemen, what should I do." Each of the statesmen gives his advice. In the background, "England's sun" is "setting" behind the hills at the foot of which sailors, soldiers and civilians are shown fighting, perhaps in allusion to the mutiny of sailors in Portsmouth in March 1783. Between both groups, on the extreme right, a smaller group of men with peg legs or on crutches, apparently veterans of the American war, is addressed by Lord Amherst who says, "Gentlemen we have no further occasion for you." On the extreme left, on the American shore of the Atlantic, a young girl in Indian dress sits between the kings of France and Spain, who each hold her hand. Benjamin Franklin places a wreath on top of her head-dress. Above in the sky, a witch flies away on a broomstick with a banner reading, "Peace -- Peace -- P-e-a-c" issuing from under her skirts
Description:
BEIN BrSides 2019 472: On sheet 29.5 x 36.8 cm. Forms part of the Benjamin Franklin Collection., BEIN BrSides 2019 498: On sheet 38.7 x 43.8 cm. Forms part of the Benjamin Franklin Collection., Title from caption below image., Attributed by George to Viscount Townshend., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., and On sheet 29 x 34 cm, mounted to 33 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
Publish'd according to Act of Parliament, by M. Smith in Fleet Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820., Louis XVI, King of France, 1754-1793., Charles III, King of Spain, 1716-1788., Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790., Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox, Duke of, 1735-1806., Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805., Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797., Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806., Mansfield, David Murray, Earl of, 1727-1796., Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816., North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792., Pitt, William, 1759-1806., Nugent, Robert Craggs Nugent, Earl, 1702?-1788., Keppel, Augustus Keppel, Viscount, 1725-1786., Dunning, John, Baron Ashburton, 1731-1783., and Amherst, Jeffery Amherst, Baron, 1717-1797.
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Foreign relations, Fighting, Disabled veterans, Witches, Thistles, and Clothing & dress
