At the top of a ladder placed against the House of Commons and inscribed, "back stairs," stands a female figure of Folly in a fool's cap, with a flag signed "aristocracy." Below her, a man attempts to pull down a stone from the frieze with a grappling hook. Behind him, a smiling Pitt with one foot on a rung, "new mi[nister]," encourages his supporters to follow. Next climbs Lord Temple carrying a conspirator's lantern and a flag, "omnipot[ent] anarc[hy]." Under the ladder, others demolish the wall. On the left, Lord North and Charles Fox try to support the loosened "SPQB" frieze with a beam inscribed, "constitutional advice." An indignant-looking female figure of Wisdom advises Pitt and his followers to reconsider their action."
Alternative Title:
Demolition of St. Stephs. Chapel and Demolition of St. Stephen's Chapel
Description:
Title from item. and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Publisher:
Pub. March 4, 1784, by W. Wells, N. 132 Fleet Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806., Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792., and Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813.
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Fools' caps, Liberty cap, Ladders, Demolition, and Cobblestone streets