"Britannia (left) grovels before a monster (right) representing the French Republic. Behind her stand Fox, Sheridan, and Stanhope, as sansculottes, joyfully hailing the apparition. Britannia on her knees, and bending forward, holds out her arms in a gesture of abject submission, pointing to her shield and spear, the crown and sceptre, and 'Magna Charta' which lie on the ground before her. She is on the edge of a cliff. The monster is supported on dark clouds; he is a man seated with arms and legs akimbo, one jack-boot is planted on the sun, a face in its disk looking from the corners of the eyes at Britannia with a dismayed expression; the other is on a crescent enclosing the old moon. His seat is the point of a huge bomb-shaped cap of 'Li-ber-tas'. His head is a black cloud on which grotesquely fierce features are indicated. Above his head rises a guillotine emitting rays of light. His dress is that of a ragged sansculotte with a dagger thrust in his belt. The British sansculottes are also bare-legged and wear belts in which a dagger is thrust; but they have nothing of the fierce arrogance of France. Fox, his stockings ungartered, and Sheridan, shambling forward with propitiatory gestures, remove their bonnets-rouges. Fox holds out two large keys labelled 'Keys of the Bank of England'; Sheridan proffers a document: 'We Promise the Surrender of the Navy of Great Brita[in] - of Corsica [see BMSat 8516] - of the East & West Indias [see BMSat 8599] - & to abolish the Worship of a God' [cf. BMSat 8350]. Stanhope, less deprecating, stands behind the others, waving his bonnet-rouge and a rolled document inscribed 'Destruction of Parliament'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Britannia petitioning for peace
Description:
Title etched below image., Dedication etched below title: To the patriotic advocates for peace, this seemly sight is dedicated., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Monsters: French Republic as a monster -- Opposition: members of the Opposition -- Keys to the Bank of England -- Magna Charta -- Sansculottes -- Bonnet-rouges -- Sceptres -- Shields -- Crowns.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 2d, 1795, by H. Humphrey, No. 37 New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, and Stanhope, Charles Stanhope, Earl, 1753-1816
Title engraved below image., Publication information from periodical for which the plate was etched., Plate from: London und Paris. Weimar: Im Verlage des Industrie-Comptoirs, 1800, v. 5, page 252., Reduced copy of a print of the same title by Cawse after Woodward, published by Hixon on 27 January 1800. See No. 9511 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 7., Numbered 'No. VII' in upper right corner., Temporary local subject terms: Interiors: House of Commons -- Opposition: return to Parliament., and Mounted to 29 x 34 cm.
Publisher:
Im Verlage des Industrie-Comptoirs
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811, and Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons,
"Pitt arrogantly bestrides the Speaker's chair, towering high above the galleries of the House. He plays cup (or rather spike) and ball with the globe, on which 'France' is disproportionately large, the British Isles small and obscure. His head is turned to the left towards his own followers, who crowd obsequiously towards his huge right foot which rests on the head of Wilberforce (papers inscribed 'Slave Trade' issuing from his pocket) and on the shoulder of the bulky and truculent Dundas, who wears Highland dress. Canning (the 'Trial of Betty Canning' projecting from his pocket) kneels to kiss the toe of his shoe. His left foot crushes the leaders of the Opposition: Erskine, Sheridan, Fox (all prostrate), and a fourth (? Grey) with upstretched arms. M. A. Taylor, a tiny figure, with the legs of a chicken (see BMSat 6777) and wearing a bonnet-rouge, sprawls on the floor near Fox. The rest of the party raise their arms in dismay. The Speaker (Addington) looks up (raising his hat), as do the Clerks. Pitt's coat-pockets bulge like sacks; in one (left) are papers: 'Volunteers, 200000 Seamen, 150000 Regulars, Militia'; the other is stuffed with guineas, on this his left hand rests, holding a paper 'Resources for supporting the War'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Temporary local subject terms: Parliamentary debates: House of Commons, 30 Dec. 1796 -- Reference to war with France -- Globes -- Games: cup and ball -- Reference to slave trade., and Mounted to 43 x 31 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. Jan. 21st, 1797, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, and Wilberforce, William, 1759-1833
Title from item., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on top., Two lines of text below title: The Prince and his party were drove to the summit of a hill ..., Temporary local subject terms: Military reviews: Sydenham Common, June 23, 1792 -- Military uniforms: dragoons -- Weapons: sabres -- Muskets., Watermark: J Taylor., Names of subjects and that of the printmaker printed on mat below image., and 1 print on laid paper : etching, hand-colored ; sheet 32 x 46 cm., matted to 47 x 63 cm.
Publisher:
Pub. June 28, 1792, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
Title from item., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on top., Two lines of text below title: The Prince and his party were drove to the summit of a hill ..., Temporary local subject terms: Military reviews: Sydenham Common, June 23, 1792 -- Military uniforms: dragoons -- Weapons: sabres -- Muskets., and Watermark: J Taylor.
Publisher:
Pub. June 28, 1792, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
Volume 2, after page 340. Memoirs of the life of the Right Honourable Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Abstract:
"An altered copy of British Museum Satires No. 10389. The two principal figures are substantially the same, but Mrs. Fitzherbert's expression is less subtle; she looks down at her charge with an exulting smile. The feathers in her hair are set in a fillet inscribed 'Ich Dien', her breasts are almost bare, her drapery is more swirling. Her pouch is inscribed 'Amusements for Young Minds', its contents differ, and her book is a 'Missal'. Above them (left) ls inscribed: 'Angels ever bright and fair" Take, Oh Take me to thy Care,"'. The altar is larger and closer to the ascending figures. In place of the Virgin, the Prince of Wales (half length) stands behind it, looking down at the 'Guardian-Angel'. On the altar, which is inscribed 'Sanctum Sanctorum' is an irradiated chalice. The attendant cherubs are (left) Derby, (?) Grey, Grenville; and (right) Norfolk, Burdett, and Windham. Two cherubs have descended from the circle (right) and look fixedly at close range towards the child; they are Fox and Sheridan. The rays are inscribed: 'Bulls', 'Dispensations', 'Indulgences', 'Luxuries', 'Consecrations', 'Cannonizations', 'Remissions', 'Pardons', 'Beatifications', 'Permissions'. Below the ascending pair, in place of the Pavilion, is the roof of Carlton House."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Altered copy of a print by Gillray, published 22 April 1805 by H. Humphrey. Cf. No. 10389 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 8., Text following title: The designer is particularly indebted to Mr. Peters for the hint for this subject., "Folios of caracatures [sic] lent out for the evening"--Beneath imprint., Printseller's stamp in lower right of plate: S.W.F., Four figures identified at bottom of mounting sheet, their names written in ink: Princess Charlotte; Mrs. Fitzherbert; C. Fox; R.B. Sheridan., Window mounted to 51 x 36 cm., and Mounted after page 340 (leaf numbered '163' in pencil) in volume 2 of an extra-illustrated copy of: Moore, T. Memoirs of the life of the Right Honourable Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 10th, 1805, by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
"Pitt dressed as a volunteer officer, drills Fox and Sheridan, who stand at attention, holding muskets. Pitt, in back view, turns his head to Fox (1.) and points with his sabre, held horizontally, to Sheridan (r.). Fox stands correctly, Sheridan raises his right. arm above his head and grins broadly. Pitt says: "Keep your Eye upon the Corporal Mr Honesty and when I have drilled you to my likeing perhaps I may take you under my command Mr Honesty". Fox says: "I do I do great Colonel I shall mind my Manoeuvres Great Colonel." The scene is the open country."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Gog & Magog are pseudonyms for printmaker Charles Williams., Place of publication based upon cataloger's conjecture., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Watermark: Strasburg Lily.
Publisher:
Pubd. Novr. 21st., 1803 by C. Knight Lambeth
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
A scaffold extends across the foreground: Fox raises an axe to strike the neck of George III, whose head is held by Sheridan. The scaffold is surrounded by a dense and cheering mob. On the right is the gate of the 'Crown & Anchor' tavern, and from two projecting lamp-brackets swing the bodies of Queen Charlotte and Pitt. The houses of the Strand recede in perspective and terminate in Temple Bar, with two heads on spikes; clouds of smoke appear to come from burning houses east of Temple Bar. On the clouds a meretricious Liberty sits enthroned and triumphant.--British Museum catalogue
Description:
Title from caption inscribed in brown ink below image., Title inscribed twice on sheet and struck out once., Imprint statement inscribed in brown ink below title: Pubd. July 19th, 1791 by S.W. Fores No. 3 Piccadilly., Description of published Gillray print in Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6, no. 7892., Description of published Gillray print in Works of James Gillray, the caricaturist with the history of his life and times / edited by Thomas Wright. London : Chatto and Windus, [1873?], p. 130., and A 'counterprint' or transfer in brown ink appears on the verso of the mount from another print: A Birmingham toast, as given on the 14th of July by the Revolution Society.
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804, Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
Subject (Topic):
Decapitations, Hangings (Executions), Executioners, Axes, Kings, and Crowds
"A scaffold extends across the foreground: Fox raises an axe to strike the neck of George III, whose head is held by Sheridan. The scaffold is surrounded by a dense and cheering mob. On the right is the gate of the 'Crown & Anchor' tavern, and from two projecting lamp-brackets swing the bodies of Queen Charlotte and Pitt. The houses of the Strand recede in perspective and terminate in Temple Bar, with two heads on spikes; clouds of smoke appear to come from burning houses east of Temple Bar. On the clouds a meretricious Liberty sits enthroned and triumphant. The King's neck rests on a narrow block, his shaved head appears bald, his legs are held up by Horne Tooke, who stands on the left, saying: "O, such a day as this, so renown'd so victorious, Such a day as this was never seen Revolutionists so gay; - while Aristocrats notorious, Tremble at the universal glee." From Tooke's pocket projects a paper: 'Petition of Horne Tooke' (against the return of Fox and Hood for Westminster, see British Museum Satires No. 7690). The King, who supports himself on his hands, says, "What! What! What! - what's the matter now". Fox, enormously stout, straddles behind the King, full face his axe raised in both hands; he wears a mask with large circular eye-holes and fox's ears; he says: "Zounds! what the devil is it that puts me into such a hell of a Funk? - damn it, it is but giving one good blow, & all is settled! - but what if I should miss my aim! - ah! it's the fear of that which makes me stink so! - & yet, damnation! what should I be afraid of? if I should not succeed, why nobody can find me out in this Mask, any more than the Man who chop'd the Calf's-head off, a Hundred & Forty Years ago - and so here goes!" Sheridan kneels in profile to the left holding the King by the ear and nose, he looks up at Fox with a sinister scowl, saying, "Hell & Damnation, dont be afraid give a home stroke, & then throw off the Mask - Zounds, I wish I had hold of the Hatchet." Priestley, behind Sheridan, leans towards the King, saying, "Don't be alarmed at your situation, my dear Brother; we must all dye once; and, therefore what does it signify whether we dye today or tomorrow - in fact, a Man ought to be glad of the opportunity of dying, if by that means he can serve his Country, in bringing about a glorious Revolution: - & as to your Soul, or any thing after death don't trouble yourself about that; depend on it, the Idea of a future state, is all an imposition: & as every thing here is vanity & vexation of spirit, you should therefore rejoice at the moment which will render you easy & quiet". He holds a paper: 'Priestley on a Future State'. Sir Cecil Wray stands with his right hand on Sheridan's shoulder, saying, "Here do give me a little room Joseph that I may be in readiness to catch the droppings of the Small Beer when it is tapp'd; I never can bear to see the Small Beer wasted Joseph!" He holds in his left hand a small cask, 'For Small Beer', and a large pipe; in his pocket is a paper: 'Plan of Chelsea Hospital by Sir Ceci[l] Wray'. The Queen is cruelly caricatured; she swings against Pitt, who is in a death agony with crisped fingers."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Mounted to 37 x 55 cm., and Collector's annotations on mount.
Publisher:
Pubd. July 19th, 1791, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804, and Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805
Subject (Topic):
Axes, Executioners, Hangings (Executions), and Crowds