"Duchess of Kent sits regally on the throne, holding the orb, and turning her head to watch Princess Victoria, who sits (left) on Prince Leopold's knee, holding the sceptre (in the form of a hand of Justice, cf. BM Satires No. 12247) and with the crown half-extinguishing her little head. He wears uniform, sits on a lower seat, but with his right foot on a footstool. He holds out twin cherries to the child, saying, 'Now we'll play at Bob Cherry--open your mouth'. On a table (left) are Sweet Meats and Sugar Candy, on the floor a (mature) doll. On the right, framed by pillars, is the Council Chamber. Wellington presides, in the royal chair, turning arrogantly to say: 'As president of the Council--who shall gainsay me--' [Bathurst was Lord President of the Council]. Behind him Grenadier Guards with fixed bayonets stand at attention. Inconspicuously at his right hand, and below the dais, sits William IV. Peel stands at a side-table (right), his back to Wellington, looking conspiratorial. The (?) Archbishop is among those seated on Wellington's left."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from caption below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Numbered in ms. at top of sheet: 123.
Publisher:
Pub. July 8, 1830, by T. McLean, 26 Haymarket
Subject (Name):
Victoria Mary Louisa, Duchess of Kent, 1786-1861, Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, 1819-1901, Léopold I, King of the Belgians, 1790-1865, Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852, and William IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837
Subject (Topic):
Ceremonial objects, Crowns, Dolls, Military uniforms, British, and Thrones
A satire of the 1832 Reform Bill, with a see-saw with the Crown as the fulcrum. At the center is William IV, waving the Union flag; to the right is Lord Grey, seated on the lever, helping William balance with a scroll marked 'Union', with John Bull standing underneath, wedging the lever up with the 'Reform Bill'; and to the right the Duke of Wellington tumbles backwards as the lever breaks under the weight of him and two huge scrolls marked 'Anti Reform'.
Description:
Title from text below image., Date from dealer's description., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires., and Laid on canvas backing.
Publisher:
Pubd. by O. Hodgson, 10 Cloth Fair
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
William IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852, and Great Britain. Parliament
Subject (Topic):
Reform, Politics and government, John Bull (Symbolic character), Seesaws, Crowns, Flags, and British