"The Pope (left), on a small ass decked with trappings, faces John Bull, who stands as toll-keeper before a closed five-barred gate. From the other side of the gate a path leads to a country church on a hill, irradiated, and framed by the semicircular inscription: 'King - Church and Constitution'. The Pope, except that he wears a Papal crown instead of a mitre, resembles St. Patrick in caricature (where he often rides an ass). He is aquiline and bearded, holds a crosier, and wears a cope. His ass has blinkers, on which a satyr's mask is freely drawn. He leans towards John, saying, "Mr Bull, I have been to Paris - and seen all the fine sights there - I now want to have a peep at that little Church on the Hill - therefore let me pass the turnpike." John (right), a fat yokel, looks up at the Pope with a suspicious scowl, pointing over his shoulder at a large open book, 'Test Oath', which is on a book-rest attached to the gate-post. He says: "If you want to go through - pay the Toll, what the devil do you think I keep a turnpike gate for?" Behind the Pope stand four dissenting ministers anxiously watching the interview. Three say sanctimoniously : "Though I boast not gaudy trappings, - nor am I mounted on Ass back, - yet if he goeth through verily I should like to go through also!"; "Verily so should I."; "We should all like to go through".."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Attributed to Rowlandson by Grego. and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Pius--VII,--Pope,--1742-1823--Caricatures and cartoons.
Subject (Topic):
Dissenters., Donkeys., John Bull (Symbolic character)--Caricatures and cartoons., Quakers., Toll roads., and Tolls.
