"The Regent, as Macheath, wearing military uniform and heavily shackled, stands between Mrs. Fitzherbert, who kneels at his feet (left) removing his leg-irons, and Lady Hertford (right), who stands beside him taking the fetters from his wrists (inscribed 'Restri[ctions]'), He sings "How happy could I be with either." Mrs. Fitzherbert, a long rosary dangling from her waist, says: "The Benediction of His Holiness light on the Defender of Our Faith." Lady Hertford, sultana-like in a jewelled turban, says: "You heard of the Row & the Rowly Powly Song before Our house the Other Night?!!" Behind and on the right Eldon stands full-face between Perceval and McMahon, who face each other in profile. Perceval, in his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown, and holding a brief-bag, says: "The Greys won't move without their own Coachman tho the Brewer [Whitbread] has offerd his black to do the dirty Work." Eldon, in a huge wig, holds the Purse of the Great Seal; he says: "We must hire Jobs for the Night Work but we are Pro' Rogued." McMahon, in military uniform, has a number of ribbons and stars hanging over his arm; he says: "These Garters & Ribbonds are all returned." On the wall are two pictures: George Hanger, bestriding his pony (as in No. 8889) with a burly bailiff seated behind him, rides in the direction of a sign-post, with a noose hanging from it, pointing 'To the Kings Bench'. This is 'George & his Hanger On, takeing a ride together to a Lodging in Surry'. The other is Sheridan as Bacchus, but dressed as Harlequin (cf. British Museum Satires No. 9916), bestriding a cask of 'Old Sherry'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Polly & Lucy taking off the restrictions, Polly and Lucy takeing off the restrictions, and Polly and Lucy taking off the restrictions
Description:
Title etched below image. and Watermark: J. Whatman.
Publisher:
Published March 1812 by J. Jonhston, 98 Cheapside
Subject (Name):
Gay, John, 1685-1732., George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Hertford, Isabella Anne Ingram-Seymour-Conway, Marchioness of, 1760-1834, Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837, Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812, Eldon, John Scott, Earl of, 1751-1838, McMahon, John, approximately 1754-1817, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Hanger, George, 1751?-1824, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845., Whitbread, Samuel, 1764-1815., and Dionysus (Greek deity),
Subject (Topic):
Harlequin (Fictitious character), Military uniforms, British, Shackles, Religious articles, Turbans, Wigs, Bags, and Pictures
"A hand, 'Manus Populi', extends into the design from the upper margin, holding a chain from which hangs a pair of scales. On one (right), close to the ground, sits the Queen, hands crossed on her breast, saying: "My innocence will support me & my Country will protect me-- 10 Great Men against one unprotected Woman are fearful odds." The other scale, high in the air, is completely filled by a green bag, see British Museum Satires No. 13735, from the mouth of which emerges the head of George IV, crowned. Attached to the beam, by a rope round his neck, hangs a military officer, holding a huge key; as a makeweight he dangles vainly against the left side of the King's bag. Three men standing below pull at the scale, trying to drag it down: they are Sidmouth (left), a judge in back view (? Leach), and Castlereagh (right), who says: "We cannot do it, and I told you so at first, & if she opens her bag we shall be stifled all of us." The King looks down at them with a distressed expression, saying: "Pull you lubbers.""--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Green bag, its contents and all its appendages are insufficient to turn the scale of public opinion
Description:
Title etched below image., Date precedes publisher's statement in imprint., and Sheet trimmed to plate mark.
Publisher:
Pubd. by S.W. Fores, 41 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
England.
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, and Leach, John, 1760-1834
Subject (Topic):
Politicians, Military officers, British, Keys (Hardware), Scales, and Bags