"John Bull, as a burly and ugly sailor, sits enthroned (right), listening to Melville's plea of innocence. Melville, in Highland dress, and wearing a feathered bonnet, stands in profile to the right. with clasped hands and flexed knees; he says: "Indeed Mr Bull - I knaw nae more aboot it - than Johnny Groat o'the Highlands." Trotter lurks behind him (left) furtively twitching his superior's kilt, and jerking his thumb to the left.; he says: "Take my advice - and let us Trot off while we are well, he looks confounded inquisitive." John scowls and glares pugnaciously, saying, "Why Look ye - de ye see - I dont come for to go for to say - exactly, that you sack'd the cole - all I say is the Shiners set sail - and as you had the care of the Hatches - it is, likely, you should know what Port they steer'd into! I say let's look at your log book Old one." He wears striped trousers and a knotted scarf; in his hat is a tobacco-pipe. His chair stands on a dais and is decorated with a crowned anchor and dolphins."--British Museum online catalogue and A satire on Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, who was accused of appropriating funds for non-naval purposes during his tenure as Lord of the Admiralty. Dundas was the most prominent Scottish politician of his era and instrumental in the progress of the Scottish Enlightenment. He is controversial today through his delaying the abolition of slavery for several years
Alternative Title:
Iohn Bull makeing a naval enqury and John Bull making a naval enquiry
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Publisher's advertisement in lower right: Folios of caracatures lent out for the evening.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 1st, 1805, by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811, Dundas, Henry, 1742-1811., and Trotter, Alexander, 1750-1830
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Sailors, British, Thrones, Ethnic stereotypes, and Pleading (Begging)
Title etched below image., Printmaker and artist from British Museum catalogue., Cf. No. 10766, Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8 for description lacking imprint statement., and Temporary local subject terms: Grog -- Cutlass -- Swords -- Guns -- Pistol -- Reference to Holland -- Dutchmen -- Reference to Italy -- Reference to Denmark -- Reference to America -- Reference to Westphalia -- Tobacco box -- Pipe -- Turk.
Publisher:
Pubd. Augt., 1807 by Walker, No. 7 Cornhill
Subject (Name):
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 and Beauharnais, Eugène de, 1781-1824
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Insects, Sailors, British, and Weapons
"Napoleon, John Bull (a 'cit'), a British general wearing a star, and the Duke of Portland sit in conference, each holding a large double paper covered with type or script. Napoleon sits on the left, pointing to the text of his paper and saying to his neighbour, "You see Mr Bull the case is simply this If you do so, I'll do so!" John, much disconcerted, stares at the Emperor, exclaiming "O! O!" The general also looks at Napoleon, perturbed. Portland (right), who sits in an armchair facing the Emperor, with frank dismay says: "If he says O! O! I'm afraid t'is but so! so!"."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Sounding the opinions of John Bull
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Later state, with imprint statement burnished from plate. For an earlier state with the imprint "Pubd. March 1808 by Walker & C., No. 7 Cornhill", see no. 10971 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8., "March 1808" written in brown ink in lower right, over the remnants of the burnished imprint statement. Formerly mounted on a blue sheet, remnants visible on back., and Watermark, partially trimmed: 1811.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 and Portland, William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of, 1738-1809
Subject (Topic):
Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815, John Bull (Symbolic character), Generals, British, Sitting, and Meetings