"A low platform covered with roses extends almost across the design; from this bed new Ministers advancing from the left are ejecting the old. Roses are scattered on the floor. The central figure is the tall and handsome Castlereagh, author of the phrase, see British Museum satires No. 10558, &c. With a taut two-stringed bow in his left hand, a quiver on his shoulders, he strides across Grenville who is on his back on the bed, and takes 'Candle End[s] & Cheese Paring[s]' from a bag with which Windham tries to make off (see British Museum Satires No. 9735). He says: "I'd have you to know I've two strings to my Bow!! Down, Down, Down, Derry Down!!" [See British Museum satires No. 10426.] Behind him, Portland threatens Grenville (in his peer's robe) with a big block of 'Portland Stone' [see British Museum Satires No. 10718, &c.]. In front of Windham Rose steps forward from the bed to grasp a large rose on the floor: 'Treasurership of the Navy.' This Sheridan, in his Harlequin's suit (see British Museum Satires No. 9916), is crawling towards, saying, "Just got into my first Nap - how - Unfortunate - come Sir fat touch that however." Rose holds up a pair of bellows inscribed 'Sing old Rose & burn the Bellows'. Eldon, in Chancellor's wig and gown, strides from the bed on to the prostrate Erskine, seizing the Purse of the Great Seal, whose cord is still round the latter's arm. He raises the mace to strike the ex-Chancellor, whose wig has fallen off. Erskine says: "Be quiet I'll retire"; he holds a money-bag inscribed '4,000 Pr Anm' [see British Museum Satires No. 10714]. Lauderdale, wearing a plaid, is behind him on the ground. On the extreme left Canning, standing on the bed, holds up a massive club inscribed 'Bon Mots & Repartee by G C--g'; he stoops over Howick pointing at the 'Catholic Bill', which the latter holds. Howick steps from the bed, angrily looking up at Canning (his especial enemy, cf. British Museum Satires No. 10972), but, unlike his colleagues, not devoid of dignity. On the ground between Howick and Sheridan is Petty in his gown, one hand on his 'Budget', a small bag, the other on a sheaf of papers inscribed 'Ways & Means'. He says: "Bless me I wish I was safe in College I'd never have anything more to do with Taxes" [an allusion to his youth, and to the fact that he was M.P. for Cambridge]. In the background (right) are Moira in his cocked hat and Lord Temple who makes off rapidly."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Retaking the bed of roses by storm!!
Description:
Title etched below image., Attribution to Charles Williams and approximate date of publication from British Museum catalogue., Imperfect; sheet trimmed within plate mark with partial loss of title from bottom edge., and Mounted on linen and formerly sewn in an album, with only the holes remaining on the left edge.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Portland, William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of, 1738-1809, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Rose, George, 1744-1818, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Lauderdale, James Maitland, Earl of, 1759-1839, Canning, George, 1770-1827, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, and Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos, Duke of, 1776-1839
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Beds, Roses, Draperies, and Fighting
"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.
"The Prince stands outside the gate of Carlton House as in BMSat 7167, but receives in a lordly manner two purses from two obsequiously bowing Treasury Secretaries (Rose and Steele). He is dressed as in BMSat 7167, but wears his coronet. Pitt, Sydney, and Dundas kneel in a grovelling manner behind the Prince, whose posteriors Pitt is about to kiss. Fox, North, Burke, and Sheridan stand behind, with gestures and expressions of pleased surprise. A tiny figure, the Duke of Richmond, is at work with a trowel on the replaced scaffolding (right), while Thurlow mounts a ladder carrying a hod. On the left a crowd of workmen wave their hats and tools in delight. In the foreground (left) sits a one-legged and one-armed sailor clasping a purse."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Etched on one plate with companion print: The prince at grass., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Payment of Prince's debts -- Carlton House., 1 print : etching on laid paper, hand-colored ; sheet 12.7 x 18.9 cm., and Window mounted to 14 x 21 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. June 2d, 1787, by S.W. Fores, Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Richmond, Charles Lennox, 3d Duke of, 1735-1806, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Sydney, Thomas Townshend, Viscount, 1733-1800, Steele, Thomas, 1753-1823, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, and Rose, George, 1744-1818
"The Prince stands outside the gate of Carlton House as in BMSat 7167, but receives in a lordly manner two purses from two obsequiously bowing Treasury Secretaries (Rose and Steele). He is dressed as in BMSat 7167, but wears his coronet. Pitt, Sydney, and Dundas kneel in a grovelling manner behind the Prince, whose posteriors Pitt is about to kiss. Fox, North, Burke, and Sheridan stand behind, with gestures and expressions of pleased surprise. A tiny figure, the Duke of Richmond, is at work with a trowel on the replaced scaffolding (right), while Thurlow mounts a ladder carrying a hod. On the left a crowd of workmen wave their hats and tools in delight. In the foreground (left) sits a one-legged and one-armed sailor clasping a purse."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Etched on one plate with companion print: The prince at grass., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Payment of Prince's debts -- Carlton House., and Printed on top half of same sheet is companion print "The prince at grass", assigned the second call number: 787.06.02.01 Impression 1.
Publisher:
Pubd. June 2d, 1787, by S.W. Fores, Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Richmond, Charles Lennox, 3d Duke of, 1735-1806, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Sydney, Thomas Townshend, Viscount, 1733-1800, Steele, Thomas, 1753-1823, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, and Rose, George, 1744-1818
A satirical representation of a procession to St. Paul's for the national thanksgiving for the naval victories. Lord Hawkesbury, Duke of Richmond, Loughborough, Wilberforce, George Rose, Horsely, Bishop of Rochester, John Bull, Pitt, Windham and Dundas (with two companions in traditional Scottish dress) are all recognizable carrying objects that suggest their role in the government policy which led to the tripling of the assessed taxes and the burden of taxation in general
Description:
Title etched below image., Printseller's statement following the imprint: Folios of caricatures lent., "A prelude" has been burnished from plate and etched in again further to the right, leaving a gap at the end of the first part of the title., and For further information consult library staff.
Publisher:
Pub. Decr. 11, 1797 by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Horsley, Samuel, 1733-1806, Jenkinson, Charles, 1727-1808, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox, Duke of, 1735-1806, Rose, George, 1744-1818, Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Wilberforce, William, 1759-1833, and Windham, William, 1750-1810
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Taxation, History, Parades & processions, and Taxes
