William Pitt, acting as an auctioneer in the dissoluted Parliament, sells from the rostrum decorated with Royal Arms "useless valuables," such as "Magna Charta." Corwall, the Speaker sitting below the rostrum, records bids in the "Sundry acts." In front of him stands Thurlow in Chancellor's robes making dismissive comment on "nonsensical bidings of those common fellows," i.e. members of the House of Commons who leave through the door on the left. Last of them, Fox, turns back vowing to bid "with spirit" for lot 1, "rights of the people in 558 vol." held on display by Henry Dundas. A reference to the dissolution of the Parliament by the King on March 25.
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Reissue for the History of the Westminster election, 1784, p. 48. See British Museum Catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark with partial loss of imprint., and Mounted to 30 x 41 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 26th by W. Humphrey No. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain, England, and Westminster
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806., Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806., Cornwall, Charles Wolfran, 1735-1789., and Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811.
Subject (Topic):
Great Britain, Politics and government, Political elections, Auctions, and Clothing & dress
William Pitt, in a dramatic pose, reaches up with his right hand for a sword presented to him by three cherubs encouraging him to defend King and country. With his other hand he indicates a volume inscribed, "Locke on the human understanding" on the table behind him. Above the table hangs a portrait of Lord Chatham. Members and supporters of the North-Fox coalition look on through an open window, gathered under a flag labeled "The Harmonic Society."
Description:
Title from item., Under title: "Third sketch"., and Mounted to 41 x 29 cm.
Publisher:
Published Feby. 18, 1784, as the act directs by S. Fores No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain and England
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806., Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 1708-1778., North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792., Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816., and Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797.
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Tables, Daggers & swords, and Clothing & dress
The figure of Time, with his scythe, hovers in the air between the kneeling figures of Pitt on the left and Fox on the right. Through two pipes inscribed, "Court favor" and "popularity," he blows bubbles that Pitt catches in his mouth. Fox, his hands raised in supplication, begs Time for the same favor. His plea is supported by the Duchess of Devonshire who stands behind him. In the background, a radiating temple on a rock behind Pitt is inscribed, "St. Jameses." Behind Fox, a lighthouse with a flare hanging from its top is signed, "House of Commons." Between the two, on the other side of a river, is a ruined ancient city, a reference to Rome
Description:
Title from item. and Printmaker from British Museum catalogue.
Publisher:
Pub'd by [...]
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain, England, and Westminster
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806., and Pitt, William, 1759-1806.
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Political elections, Scythes, Temples, Ruins, Lighthouses, Tobacco pipes, Scissors & shears, and Clothing & dress