In a room reminiscent of a magician's study, the King, dressed in a cloak as Friar Bacon (a necromancer of popular fable), evokes visions of the royal power while the brazen head speaks. Each vision is represented by a large medallion inscribed, "Constitution," and shows a different balance of power between the king and both houses of Parliament. On the left, Fox, Burke, and North, peek in through an open door, appearing alarmed. On the right, a number of men walk down the "back stairs." The first of them, carrying a conspirator's lantern and led by the devil, is Lord Temple
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Mounted to 28 x 41 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 3d, 1784, by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813, Bacon, Roger, 1214?-1294., and Pitt, William, 1759-1806.
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Wizards, Magic, and Devil
"The Duchess of Devonshire with two other catch-singers, Fox and North, who are dressed as fat old market-women. The Duchess (left) elegantly dressed, but with her breast uncovered and wearing her election hat with 'Fox' favours, feathers, and fox's brush, puts her left hand on Fox's shoulder, pointing to a tomb-stone beside her (left) inscribed, beneath its skull and cross-bones, 'Here lies poor C--C--L--RAY'. She sings: "Look neighbours look here lyes Poor C-------ray [Cecil Wray]". Fox, his left hand grasping a crutch-headed stick, turning to North, sings "Dead & turn'd to Clay". North (right), also with a stick, sings "What Old C------l". Through the wings peers the anxious-looking, spectacled profile of Burke (right). Three framed pictures decorate the wall behind the performers: 'The fox who had lost his Tail' (cf. British Museum Satires No. 6530), a tail-less fox looking at four others who are discussing the situation. This is flanked by two oval pictures, 'Fox and Crow' (left), the fox looking up longingly at the crow on a branch, and 'Fox and Grapes' (right), a fox on its hind-legs below a vine-branch, cf. British Museum Satires No. 5962."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
For the benifit of the champion and For the benefit of the champion
Description:
Title etched below image., Title continues: ... for admission apply to the D-ss., Date of publication from Grego., Text below title: NB. Gratis to those who wear large tails., Sheet trimmed mostly within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Trades: Market women -- Fox and North as market women -- Emblems: Prince of Wales's feathers -- Fox and goose -- Literature: Aesop, fl. 620-564 B.C., Fables -- Music: Catch (round) -- Election favors -- Pictures amplifying subject -- Foxes., and Mounted to 27 x 42 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. and sold by Wm. Humphrey
Subject (Geographic):
England and London.
Subject (Name):
Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805., and Great Britain. Parliament
Subject (Topic):
Elections, 1784, Crutches, Politics and government, Singers, and Tombs & sepulchral monuments
"The Duchess of Devonshire (right), in morning cap and gown, makes tea for Fox and Sam House who sit side by side on a sofa (left). The duchess leans back in her chair, one hand on the tap of the urn, while she hands a cup to a footman who stands with a tray. Sam (left) has been served first; he sits stirring his tea and gazing adoringly at Fox (right), who playfully pats his bald head. A spaniel stands in front of them, begging. On the wall behind are two freely sketched whole length portraits: behind the duchess is Reynolds's portrait of her husband standing by his horse (as in British Museum Satires No. 6546), the other is over the heads of House and Fox."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue and Grego., Another impression of a print owned by Horace Walpole which is now at NYPL 71., and Mounted to 30 x 42 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 14th, 1784, by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
England, London., and Westminster
Subject (Name):
Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, Devonshire, William Cavendish, Duke of, 1748-1811, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, House, Samuel, -1785, and Great Britain. Parliament
Subject (Topic):
Elections, 1784, Politics and government, Dogs, Pleading (Begging), Political elections, and Servants
A large and animated procession approaches the Grocers' Hall on the left, led by musicians and Wilkes who tosses coins to the crowd. In the first of the three coaches, shown as a child's or an invalid's chair, sits Sir Watkin Lewes, alderman and M.P. for the City, in the central one rides Pitt, behind him Sir Barnard Turner, alderman and Sheriff. The windows of the buildings are filled with spectators. On the right, above the vitrine to "Neat Wines" shop, hangs a large portrait of Lord Chatham. A burlesque rendition of the procession that took place on February 28.
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Mounted to 32 x 45 cm.
Publisher:
Pub. March 8th by W. Humphry, No. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain, England, and Westminster
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 1708-1778, Lewes, Watkin, Sir, 1740?-1821, Turner, Barnard, 1741 or 1742-1784, Wilkes, John, 1725-1797, and Grocers' Company (London, England)
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Political elections, Parades & processions, Spectators, and Wheeled chairs
"An election-procession marches (right to left) towards the hustings which are indicated by a corner of the pediment of St. Paul's Church and a crowd. A band of butchers, with marrow-bones and cleavers, heads the procession. Next walks the Duchess of Devonshire, holding up on a pole a pair of breeches inscribed 'Man of the People', and surmounted by a crowing cock. She is followed by a lady holding up on a pole a placard with 'Fox (a fox) and the Rights of the Commons'. A third lady holds up on a pole a mob-cap and apron inscribed 'No Tax on Maid Servants'. They are followed by sturdy-looking citizens wearing 'Fox' favours, one of whom carries a fourth standard: a key tied in a hoop and inscribed 'Key of the Back Stairs', [This emblem appears to have been first used on 14 Feb., during Fox's procession to Devonshire House (see British Museum Satires No. 6421, &c), when 'at Lord Temple's, a wag held up a flag tied to a stick, hung round with crape, which he called 'the Secret Influence Key in Mourning'. Full and Authentic Account of the Proceedings in Westminster Hall', 1784, pp. 26-7 n.] in allusion to the 'secret influence' which favoured Pitt, cf. British Museum Satires No. 6417. &c, 6557, 6592, 7139, 7325, 7339, 7372, 7634, 8102. House is seen between the first two ladies, waving his hat and wildly cheering the procession; other spectators do the same. See British Museum Satires No. 6475, &c. The Duchess is more characterized than her two companions, who are probably her sister Lady Duncannon and perhaps Mrs. Crewe, cf. British Museum Satires No. 6493, &c. All three wear the ostrich plumes and fox's brush which were worn as emblems of the Prince of Wales and of Fox."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Reissue, with altered publication line, of a print originally issued with the imprint "London, Published April 30th, 1784, by G. Humphrey, No. 48 Long Acre." Cf. No. 6564 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6., Temporary local subject terms: Emblems: Prince of Wales's feathers -- Election standards -- Election emblems -- Electors' parade to the Hustings, Westminster, 1784 -- Marrowbones -- Cleavers -- Taxes: Proposed tax on maidservants, 1784 -- Key of the Back Stairs -- Election favors -- St. Paul's facade, Covent Garden., Watermark in center of sheet., and Mounted to 30 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
Published April 30th, 1784, by G. Humphrey, Printseller, & Dealer in Natural Curiosities, No. 48 Long Acre
Subject (Geographic):
England and London.
Subject (Name):
Bessborough, Henrietta Frances Spencer Ponsonby, Countess of, 1761-1821, Crewe, Frances Anne Greville Crewe, Lady, 1748-1818, Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, House, Samuel, -1785, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830., and Great Britain. Parliament
Subject (Topic):
Elections, 1784, Politics and government, Butchers, and Parades & processions
In the foreground, the veterans with wooden legs and on crutches try to get away from the crumbling facade of the Chelsea Hospital. Several of them lie on the ground crushed by the fallen columns. In the background, a group of women, outraged by the proposal to abolish the Chelsea Hospital and to tax employers of maid servants, attacks with brooms and a slop jar the proposal's author, Sir Cecil Wray
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Mounted to 32 x 46 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 30th, 1784, by Mrs. Dacheray, St. James's Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805 and Royal Hospital (Chelsea, London, England)
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Disabled veterans, Peg legs, Servants, Chamber pots, and Building failures
Charles Fox, riding a lion, and William Pitt, on a white horse, face each other in the House of Commons, in front of the vacated Speaker's chair. Fox, holding a whip in one hand and a bridle in the other, tries to convince Pitt to dismount the untamed horse that stands with its front legs on a large sheet signed, "Magna Charta, Bill of Rights, Constitution," and kicks with the hind legs and defecates at the fleeing crowd of the members of Parliament. In return, Pitt praises his steed for its wild behavior. The last of the members pushing toward the door is the Speaker, Cornwall, in a wig and carrying the Speaker's mace. A satire on the dissolution of the Parliament on March 25.
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Abbreviation "No." in imprint statement appears in superscript above the digit "7" in street number "227.", and Text below title: A scene in a new play lately acted in Westminster with distinguished applause. Act 2nd scene last.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 31st, 1784, by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Cornwall, Charles Wolfran, 1735-1789, and Great Britain Parliament
Subject (Topic):
Dissolution, Politics and government, Humor, Horses, Lions, Coats of arms, Chairs, Defecation, and Crowds
"Sir Cecil Wray (left) is being drummed away from the hustings; Sam House, the central figure, beats a drum, looking at Wray. On the right, ignoring Wray, stands Fox addressing the populace, a cheering crowd behind him; he holds a flag on which is the figure of Britannia seated, holding the staff and cap of Liberty, and the words 'Champion of the People'. He says, "Friends & Fellow Citizens I cannot find words to express my feelings to you upon this Victory". Wray walks beside a procession which marches to Sam House's drum. It is headed by Chelsea pensioners with wooden legs, who scowl at him; one carries a crutch over his shoulder. They have two flags, inscribed respectively 'May all public Deserters feel public Resentment' (Wray had deserted the cause of Fox who nominated him for Westminster in 1782, see British Museum Satires No. 5998), and 'Chealsea Hospital'. They are followed by a detachment of maidservants, with a flag inscribed 'Tax on Maid Servants'; they carry over their shoulders a broom, a brush, a mop, a shovel. A crowd cheers frantically, hats are waved at the procession and at Fox. Behind Fox is part of the portico of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, the scene of his triumph at the hustings, see British Museum Satires No. 6590, &c."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Westminster deserter drummed out of the regiment
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker and date of publication from Grego., Plate from: The history of the Westminster election., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Churches: St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden -- Proposed tax on maidservants -- Chelsea Hospital pensioners -- Hustings -- Drumming for the hustings -- Slogans: 'Champion of the people' -- Veterans., and Mounted to 29 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
England and London.
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, House, Samuel, -1785, Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805, and Great Britain. Parliament
Subject (Topic):
Elections, 1784, Politics and government, Britannia (Symbolic character), Drums (Musical instruments), Brooms, Cheering, Crowds, Crutches, and Servants
"A blind beggar, Sir Cecil Wray, is led (right to left) by his dog, round whose neck hangs a 'Subscription Box'. He supports himself by a long staff; in his left hand is the dog's cord, and under his left arm is a larger box, inscribed 'Subscription Scrutiny Box'. He sings: "Pity the Weak, and Needy pray, Oh pity me, I've lost the day." Behind the dog is a placard inscribed: "See here the Dog, of all his kind, The fittest for a Beggar blind, The Beast can bark or grunt as Hog. His name is Churchill - Oh the Dog!"."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker and month of publication from British Museum catalogue., Four lines of verse below title: Ye Christians charitable, good and civil, pray something give to this poor wandering devil ..., Plate from: The history of the Westminster election., Temporary local subject terms: Buildings: Covent Garden Church -- Allusion to scrutiny -- Allusion to John Churchill of Westminster., and Mounted to 32 x 25 cm.
Publisher:
Publd. 11th [May] 1784 by H. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
England and London.
Subject (Name):
Great Britain. Parliament and Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805
Subject (Topic):
Elections, 1784, Politics and government, Blind persons, Staffs (Sticks), and Dogs