"John Bull, a plebeian, stout and dishevelled, lies on his back on a tangle of large roses with vicious thorns. These are on a heap of stones and under the stump of a decayed oak tree (left). He exclaims: "Oh Lord! Oh Lord! if this be the Bed of Roses they make such a noise about I'd sooner lye with the Old Sow and her Farrow in the Dog Days! - My Dame will roar woundidly when she comes to bed! Ecod it's as bad as lying on a Harrow upside down." The stones (left to right) are 'Expedition to Holland' [1799, see British Museum Satires No. 9412, &c], 'Expedition to Ferrol', 'Jobs and Contracts', 'Pension List', 'Indemnity for the past & Security for the Future', 'No Peace possible with the child and Champion of Jacobinism', 'Places', 'Subsidies'. The roses are: 'Candle Tax', 'Hair Powder Tax', 'Hat Tax', 'Paper Tax', 'Snuff Tax', 'Game Tax', 'Wine Tax', 'Property Tax', 'Salt Tax', 'Land Tax', 'Stamp Tax', 'Assessed Taxes', 'Income Tax', 'Table Beer Tax', 'House Tax', 'Window Tax', 'Excise Duty', 'Horse Tax', 'Tobacco Tax', 'Soap Tax', 'Servant Tax', 'Malt Tax', 'Hop Tax', 'Sugar Tax', 'Legacy Tax', 'Tea Tax', 'Cyder Tax'. On the two extremities of the 'bed' are clusters of thorny buds; these are inscribed '1807', '1808', and [once] '1809', those on the left being labelled 'National Debt'. In the distance St. Paul's is indicated. Bushes on the right are wind-swept."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
John Bull on a bed of roses
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark leaving thread margins., and Watermark: 181[0?].
Publisher:
Pubd. July 1806 by Wm. Holland, Cockspur Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Topic):
Taxation, John Bull (Symbolic character), Roses, Thorns, and Taxes
John Bull's first visit to his old friend the new secretary
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Printseller's announcement following imprint: Folios of caricatures lent out for the evening., Temporary local subject terms: Dogs -- Politics., Mounted to 29 x 40 cm., and Watermark: Strasburg Lily.
"George III, in profile to the right., has risen from the throne to receive the new Ministry whom he inspects through his glass (as in BMSat 10019). The head and halberd of a beefeater appear behind the throne. All bend low; Fox, the foremost, makes the lowest and most obsequious bow. His court suit, with flowered waistcoat, and coat with too much gold lace, is worn with his old buff breeches. Grenville, beside him, makes a gesture of introduction. Crowded behind these two are the others: Windham with his hand on his heart, Sheridan looking eager but apprehensive, Moira and Sidmouth more impassive; Erskine, in Chancellor's wig and gown, smiles with complacent egotism (cf. BMSat 9246, &c); on the extreme right. is (?) Lord Henry Petty. The King says: "Gentlemen I am very happy to see you here, in such Talents my People must have the most Implicit Confidence, & well as myself - Hum, don't like the Mixture. - " The new Ministers say simultaneously (dotted lines rising from each head to the inscription): 'We assure your M-----of our most confirmed Integrity, & are determined to make the - the the most of our places."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Strangers at court and Promising scene
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Printseller's announcement following imprint: Folios of caracatures [sic] lent out for the evening., Descriptive phrase following title: A promising scene., and Mounted to 30 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 10th, 1806 by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, and Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826
"Members of the new Ministry in a handsome room prepare themselves for office, each intent on his toilet. Both Fox and Grey look into a large pier-glass on the extreme left., whose frame is surmounted by the Royal Arms and Prince's feathers, indicating Carlton House and the Prince's 'ostentatious patronage' of the new Ministry. [W. Fitzpatrick, 'H.M.C., Dropmore MSS.' viii, p. viii.] Fox (Foreign Secretary), wearing a tattered shirt, shaves, holding a small bowl filled with lather. On a chair are the coat (blue with red facings, the Windsor uniform) and feathered cocked hat which he is about to put on; against it leans a sword with a jewelled hilt, while his discarded coat and bonnet rouge with tricolour cockade lie beneath it. Beside him stands the taller Grey, brushing his teeth. He wears naval uniform (as First Lord) Behind him, also in profile to the left., stands Sidmouth (Lord Privy Seal), his head and shoulders the centre of clouds of powder, which Vansittart is puffing at him from a powdering-bag. His Windsor uniform is protected by a long towel; in his coat pocket is a clyster-pipe (see BMSat 9849). In the foreground little Lord Henry Petty struts with pointed toe, delighted at the effect of his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown, which trails on the ground behind him, far too long. Windham (Secretary for War and Colonies), behind him, sits full face over a tub, washing his feet; he wears waistcoat and rolled-up shirt-sleeves; his hat and stockings are on the ground. Next is the centre figure, Lord Grenville (First Lord of the Treasury), in shirt and bag-wig, hitching up his breeches, and thus accentuating his heavy posteriors, which gave a second meaning to the term Broad-bottom Ministry (see BMSat 10530). Moira (Master of the Ordnance) stands stiffly with his back to the wall, tying his high black stock. He wears regimentals with boots and cocked hat. The Duke of Bedford, very neat in shirt and breeches, sits on a stool pulling on a top-boot, resting his leg on the left shoulder of Tierney, who sits at his feet, drawing on a Hessian boot. Both are in profile to the right., and are preparing for a journey to Ireland. Beside Bedford are two papers: 'New way of Improving the Irish-Breed of Black Cattle' and 'Road from Wooburn Farm to Ireland' [on this Tierney is sitting]. Behind Bedford, Sheridan struggles into a shirt; on the wall hangs his discarded Harlequin dress with mask and wooden sword (see BMSat 9916). Lord Spencer (Home Secretary), behind and on the r. of Sheridan, in waistcoat and shirt-sleeves, washes his hands in a basin on a table. On the extreme right. is the corner of a dressing-table, in the mirror of which Erskine delightedly adjusts his hat over his Chancellor's wig. He wears an enormously long Chancellor's gown with the Purse of the Great Seal hanging from his arm. Behind him on the wall hangs his discarded barrister's wig. The mace, reversed, leans against the table."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Etching based on Gillray print with same title published by H. Humphrey in 1806., Williams' copy after Gillray. Cf. No 10531, Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8, and Figures identified by ms. notes in modern hand located around perimeter of sheet.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby., 1806 by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Tierney, George, 1761-1830, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, and Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826
"The globe is the 'State of the Nation', a parliamentary phrase implying a vote of censure on the conduct of the Ministry. It is covered with islands in a 'Sea of Tribulation'. These are: '10.000 Pr An for an Apostate intended Princess'; 'Large Grants to relatives of decased [sic] Hero's'; 'Large Sums voted to Younger [The word has been etched over 'relatives'.] Branches of large Families'; 'Taxation Island'; 'Property Tax Assess'd Taxes Tax upon Tax' [twice], with smaller islands inscribed [four times] 'Tax upon Tax'. For the property-tax and budget see BMSats 10557,10564, &c. The 'Apostate Princess' is Mrs. Fitzherbert, in the public eye through Jefferys's pamphlet, see BMSat 10589, and the final decision of the House of Lords in the Seymour case (14 June 1806), see BMSat 10389. The 'deceased hero's' are Nelson and Rodney, Nelson's (collateral) heirs obtaining an annuity of £5,000 and a capital sum of £120,000. 'Parl. Debates', vii. 141-5 (13 May). The pension of £1,000 to Lord Rodney's son was continued to his grandson. Ibid., p. 902 (3 July). By the Royal Family Annuities Bill large additions were made to the incomes of the Duke of Clarence and his younger brothers, of the princesses, and their niece Princess Charlotte of Wales, and of the widow, son, and daughter of the Duke of Gloucester, the King's brother who died in 1805. Ibid., pp. 875, 923, 968, 1103 (2-11 July). The grants were attacked by Cobbett, see 'Pol. Reg.' x. 33 ff., 65 ff. (12, 19 July). Cf. BMSats 10697, 10704. The features of the 'Opposition Winds' are distorted, but they seem to be (r.) Canning and Castlereagh, and (l.) Perceval and Hawkesbury."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from caption etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Watermark: A. Stace., and Mounted to 30 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. July 30th, 1806 by S.W. Fores, No. 50, Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, and Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Reduced copy of a print published originally by S.W. Fores in 1798., Part of a series of reduced copies of prints published by Fores in 1806 and etched primarily by Charles Williams., Printmaker based on other prints from the series., Six lines of caption below title: No fit!-Tho' to be sure as you say a man can't see himself..., Plate numbered in lower left corner of design: No. 1 Pl. 5., and Temporary local subject terms: Tailor shops -- Second-hand clothing.
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Part of a series of reduced copies of prints. Series published by Fores in 1806 and etched primarily by Charles Williams., Printmaker based on other prints from the series., Plate numbered '23' in lower left corner., Temporary local subject terms:, and Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 1st, 1806 by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Title from item., Sheet trimmed to edge of plate mark on one side., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Quotation from Milton following title: The world was all before them where to choose their place of rest ..., Temporary local subject terms: Wimbeldon -- Gate of Saint Stephens -- Mellish, William -- Middlesex -- Westminster., Watermark: Edmonds & Pine., and Mounted to 28 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. Decr. 1806 by S.W. Fores, no. 50, Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, and Paull, James, 1770-1808
"Ministers recline on a large low platform, representing a magnificent state bed, which is completely covered with roses. It recedes in perspective from left to right. On the left is Fox, looking sourly over his left shoulder at his neighbour, Sheridan, to say: "This is the most uncomfortable bed I was ever on in my Life and not the least like a bed of Roses - Zound!! what a thorn is running into me - Oh that Bramble - Sherry my Dear how do you find it - ". Sheridan answers: "My dear Charley, I have not had a wink since I have been on it, - curse that Castle man what did he mean by his bed of roses - I am as sore from the tip of my Nose, to the tip of my Toe - as if I had been roling on a quick set-hedge - or stung to death by a swarm of bees at a Hampshire Farmers [an allusion to Cobbett's pen]". Behind Fox, and in profile to the left, Moira, in uniform, with cocked hat and jack-boots, sits up, very erect; he says: "What are Cannons or Bombs or clashing of swords, compared to the pain I endure." Windham, next Sheridan, registering melancholy, says: "I feel more uneasy than if the whole Volunteer force was upon me." Ellenborough, behind Sheridan and Windham, ill-temperedly puts his hand to his wig. Erskine, also in wig and gown, reclines as if exhausted, his eyes closed, his attitude characteristic of his notorious fainting in court (see British Museum Satires No. 7956). He and Grey (Lord Howick from 11 Apr.), who sits behind him, are in profile to the right; the latter says: "It is just such a bed, as I expected the late bungling bed makers would leave us." On the extreme right little Lord Henry Petty (wearing his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown) sits up, angrily holding above his head two handfuls of thorn-branches. He says: "I shall never have done clearing the brambles and Nettles from this Bed, my Budget would not hold one half of them." The low frame of the bed is carved and has a valance of fringed and festooned draperies. At the head are the Royal Arms; looped curtains are suspended above it."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., and Mounted on linen and formerly sewn in an album with only the holes remaining on left edge.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 1806 by Walker, 7 Cornhill
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of, 1780-1863, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822., and Cobbett, William, 1763-1835.
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Beds, Roses, and Draperies
"Scene in an assembly room. A mountainously fat woman stands fanning herself, as she talks to a stout man in old-fashioned dress. She says: "Dear me it is perdigus Hot! which would you advise me to do take a Rubber or Dance." He answers: "Dance first! Madam, and take the Rubber afterwards." A fashionably dressed but vulgar-looking man stands by, looking quizzically at the lady. In the background (left) is a high musicians' gallery, and below it four people dance a (?) country dance. There is a cut-glass chandelier. Through an ornate arched doorway four people are seen playing cards."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Salutary conduct for corpulent dancers
Description:
Title etched below image., Argus is a pseudonym for Charles Williams., Date of publication from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark leaving thread margins., and Watermark: Cassell.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Topic):
Obesity, Fans (Accessories), Dance, and Chandeliers