"A sitting of the Board of Control (established by Pitt's India Act 1784): Dundas, Pitt, and Sydney are seated behind a narrow cloth-covered table, but Dundas (left) monopolizes the business, while Pitt, his back to Dundas, plays push-pin with Sydney who is on the extreme right. Pitt complacently defeats Sydney who starts back in dismay at the position of the pins. Dundas turns his head in profile towards four ragamuffins in Highland dress who enter from the left. These, but not the members of the Board, are caricatured. The foremost, with shaggy hair, torn garments, and bare feet, scratches himself (cf. BMSat 5940) as he presents a petition with an eager grimace. ... A second petitioner carries a spade, a third scratches his head with an anxious expression. Dundas receives them with favour, holding out his hand for the petition. ... The only actual director named is the Hon. William Elphinstone, formerly commander of an Indiaman, member of a family which (later) had many honourable associations with India. ... The papers in front of Pitt and Sydney, with their pens and ink-stands, have been thrown to the floor to make room for their game, and are in shadow. Three are inscribed: 'Sir Elijah Impey', 'Major Scot &c &c &c', and 'War[ren] Hastings Esq.' On the wall, on each side of a candelabra, are two pictures: one (left) is 'Robbing'; Fox puts a pistol to the head of a stout Englishman who holds a document inscribed 'India Patronage'. The other (right) is 'Stealing'; Pitt picks the pocket of a sleeping oriental, taking from it a roll: 'India Patronage'. ..."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Blessings of a Scotch dictator and Board of Control
Description:
Counterfeit signature; print by Gillray. See British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
R. Phillips, Southwark
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Hastings, Warren,--1732-1818--Caricatures and cartoons., Melville, Henry Dundas,--Viscount,--1742-1811--Caricatures and cartoons., Phillips, R. publisher., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., and Sydney, Thomas Townshend,--Viscount,--1733-1800--Caricatures and cartoons.
The political and humourous works of Thomas Rowlandson, 1774-1825
Container / Volume:
Vol. 1 (Box 2 of 2) | Folder I-54
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
Prints & Photographs
Abstract:
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:
Abbreviation "No." in imprint statement appears in superscript above the digit "7" in street number "227.", Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Text below title: A scene in a new play lately acted in Westminster with distinguished applause. Act 2nd scene last., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
W. Humphry, no. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain--Politics and government--1760-1789--Humor.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Cornwall, Charles Wolfran,--1735-1789--Caricatures and cartoons., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Great Britain--Parliament--Dissolution--Humor., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, William, approximately 1740-approximately 1810, publisher., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., and Riviere & Son Binding.
Subject (Topic):
Chairs., Coats of arms. , Crowds., Defecation., Horses., and Lions.
"Pitt and his followers are in wild pursuit of the crown which soars on widespread wings in the upper right corner of the design. Pitt, reaching up to it, is about to fall over a cliff into the pit of hell, from which flames and smoke are rising. He says, "I'll have thee or perish in the attempt, for my ambition knows no bounds". Richmond falls head first into the pit, saying to two demons who wait for him with extended pitchforks, "Spare me this time and you shall have Coals in future without duty" (an allusion to the 'Richmond shilling'). One answers, "All your Great grandfather's [Charles II's] Whores are waiting dinner for you". Immediately behind Pitt runs Thurlow, his wig falling from his head; he raises the mace in both hands to strike at the flying crown ..."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Pit fall
Description:
Printmaker and date from British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Charles--II,--King of England,--1630-1685., Grafton, Augustus Henry Fitzroy,--Duke of,--1735-1811--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox,--Duke of,--1735-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., and Thurlow, Edward Thurlow,--Baron,--1731-1806--Caricatures and cartoons.
"Pitt rides (right to left) a zebra; he sits on the animal's hind quarters, flourishing a whip; before him are two panniers filled with jewels, one inscribed 'Rights and Wrongs'. From the zebra's neck hangs a large jewel inscribed 'Bulse'. He says, "I have thrown off the Mask. I can blind the people no longer and must now carry every thing by my bought Majority." The zebra (the Queen) is led by Dundas (left) [Identified by Miss Banks as Thurlow: the resemblance to either is inconclusive, though pointing to Thurlow, but the inscription indicates Dundas.] and urged on by Richmond (right), who prods it with a goad. It says, "What are Childrens rights to Ambition - I will rule in spite of them if I can conceal things at Q." [Kew.] In front of Dundas (left) is a signpost: "To Tower Hill by B------m [Buckingham] house". Dundas turns his head to shout at Pitt: "So many Scotchmen have left their heads behind in this d------d tower for treason I begin to tremble as much as thief in the rear for my own." Richmond, noted for his unfailing support of Pitt, says, "Skulking in the rear out of sight suits best my character." Behind him (right) is a cannon."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Queen's ass loaded with the spoils of India and Britain
Description:
Grego suggests a publication date of March 6, 1788., Printmaker and date fom British Museum catalogue., and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Charlotte,--Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain,--1744-1818., Dundas, Henry,--1742-1811--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., and Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox,--Duke of,--1735-1806--Caricatures and cartoons.
"Pitt, very thin and elongated, poises on one toe on a tight-rope; he holds a long balancing-pole in both hands, on one end (left) sits the Sultan, on the other (right) Catherine II. The Turk, whose end of the pole is slightly the lower, clutches it desperately, saying, "My dear Billy, do help me to make another push, & I'll give you - half of my Seraglio". The fat Empress sits with her hands on her hips; she wears a crown, in her right hand is a sceptre, in her left a paper inscribed 'New Russian Conquests'. She says "Both Billy - the Flat, & yourself may do your worst you circumcised dog! get me down if you can! - I'll match you all, & swallow Thousands more!" Pitt stands with his head raised arrogantly in profile to the right; he says, "The old Hag cannot move me, & Seraglios cannot bribe me: - I have nothing to do with these matters - my Pole will always remain level - ". On the ground beneath the rope stands a dwarfish Sheridan (right) in profile to the left, grotesquely caricatured as a clown; he wears trousers and long sleeves which cover his hands and hang down. He says: "O! the Devil! the Devil! The Cow leaps over the Moon! And if I could once get up on the Rope, Lord! I'd fill my Pockets soon: - I mean, I would soon bring her down: fol der lol, fol der ol"."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Posterity of the immortal Chatham turned posture master
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Text following title: Vide Sherridans speech., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Catherine--II,--Empress of Russia,--1729-1796--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Selim--III,--Sultan of the Turks,--1761-1808--Caricatures and cartoons., and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons.
Subject (Topic):
Great Britain--Foreign relations--1789-1820--Humor.
"An elaborate design. The Prince of Würtemberg, grotesquely corpulent, conducts his bride in the procession (right to left) towards the bridal chamber which is led by the King and Queen. George III, plainly dressed and wearing a hat, partly concealed by a pillar, hurries forward; in each hand is a candle-stick holding a guttering candle-end (cf. BMSat 8117). The Queen, covered with jewels and her face hidden by a poke-bonnet, carries a steaming bowl of 'Posset'. On the back of the Prince's coat are slung five ribbons from which dangle the jewels of orders; three garters encircle his leg; a star decorates the bag of his wig. The Princess gazes at him from behind her fan. Round her waist is the ribbon of an order, to which is attached a jewel containing a whole length miniature of her husband, which exaggerates his corpulence. Behind the Princess is a group of princes: the Prince of Wales, in regimentals, is fat and sulky. Prince William of Gloucester stands with splayed-out feet as in BMSat 8716. The Duke of Clarence (caricatured) puts a hand on the right arm of the Prince of Wales. Behind is the more handsome head of the Duke of York. These four heads are clever juxtapositions of variations on the family features. Behind them is the grotesque profile of the Stadholder with closed eyes. The sharp features of Lady Derby tower above the Stadholder. Next him is the Princess of Wales, not caricatured. Two princesses hold up their sister's train, and, behind, a sea of feathered headdresses recedes in perspective under a lighted chandelier. Salisbury (left), the Lord Chamberlain, standing stiffly in profile to the right, much caricatured, with wand and key as in BMSat 8649, holds open the door through which the King is about to pass. Pitt, on the outskirts of the procession, carries a sack inscribed '£80,000' (the amount of the Princess's dowry). On the wall is a large picture, inscribed 'Le Triomphe de l'Amour', of an elephant with a little cupid sitting on his neck blowing a trumpet."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Title etched below image.
Publisher:
H. Humprey, 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Caroline,--Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain,--1768-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., Charlotte,--consort of George III, King of Great Britain,--1744-1818--Caricatures and cartoons., Charlotte,--Queen, Consort of Frederick I, King of Württemberg,--1766-1828--Caricatures and cartoons., Derby, Elizabeth Farren Stanley,--Countess of,--1759 or 62-1829--Caricatures and cartoons., Frederick Augustus,--Duke of York and Albany,--1763-1827--Caricatures and cartoons., Frederick--I,--King of Württemberg,--1754-1816--Caricatures and cartoons., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820--Caricatures and cartoons., George--IV,--King of Great Britain,--1762-1830--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Salisbury, James Cecil,--Marquess of,--1748-1823--Caricatures and cartoons., William Frederick,--Duke of Gloucester,--1776-1834--Caricatures and cartoons., William--IV,--King of Great Britain,--1765-1837--Caricatures and cartoons., and William--V,--Prince of Orange,--1748-1806--Caricatures and cartoons.
"Lennox leans back on a sofa, his pistol in his hand, looking up with a melancholy expression. A lady (left) holds a smelling-bottle to his nose; the Duke of Richmond (right), leaning on one end of the sofa, regards his nephew anxiously. Lennox says: "I had been happy, if the Gen'ral Camp Foot-soldiers, all, had pull'd my Nose in private, So it had not been told; O, now for ever Farewell the Plumed Troops & the big War, The spirit-stirring Drum & the ear piercing fife, The Royal Banner & all quality, Pride, Pomp, & Circumstance of glorious War Farewell! Your Hero's reputations gone!" The lady, Lady Charlotte Gordon (who married Lennox, see BMSat 7594), says: "O my dear shiv'ring L. .. . x [These words have been ostensibly obliterated by cross-hatching which leaves them legible and makes them conspicuous.]! do compose yourself, for the sake of your dear Charlotte! Ah! that hot-blooded-fellow has fright'ned him into an Ague - come do take a sniff at your Charlotte's smelling-bottle, the Bonny Duchess says that my smelling Bottle is a nice Thing to raise a Man's courage, I long for you to take hold of it, my dear L ... x. [These words have been ostensibly obliterated by cross-hatching which leaves them legible and makes them conspicuous.] Richmond says, "Don't fret yourself my dear Nephew, [These words have been ostensibly obliterated by cross-hatching which leaves them legible and makes them conspicuous.] you have behaved like a Man of Spirit & Honor; - your putting up with a public Insult when you could have resented it, shews your magnanimity! your pretending not to remember the words of the insult, shews your harmless disposition! - your Letters to the Club, your good-sense! - their being sent a week before the Duel, your want of malice! as it gave his Highness's friends an opportunity to secure him from your resentment, by putting you under arrest! - your firing first, proves your spirit! - your not waiting to be shot at, your discretion! - & your being satisfied with only attempting the life of the son of your **** proves your Loyalty, & generosity! - therefore, my dear Boy, take comfort, get the better of this Ague, which you are thrown into by pulling the trigger, &, if you are kick'd out of one Regiment, Nunkle will beg another for you, as a reward for your Gallantry & good-will to the house of Hanover!!!" Pitt (left) looks round a door, saying, "Heav'ns L . . . x [These words have been ostensibly obliterated by cross-hatching which leaves them legible and makes them conspicuous.] what's the matter? I hope you've succeeded in lessening the number of my Plagues.""--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Scene immediately after the duel
Description:
"Price 1 sh./6 plain.", CtY-LW, Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Military uniforms: lieutenant-colonel, 35th Foot -- Duels: Duke of York and Lt.-Col. Lennox -- Guns: pistols -- Medicinal: smelling bottles -- Furniture: sofas -- Charlotte (Gordon), Duchess of Richmond, 1768-1842., and Title etched below image; the word 'coward' has scratched out with numerous etched lines but is still legible.
Publisher:
J. Aitken, Castle Street, Leicester Square
Subject (Name):
Aitken, James, -1802, publisher., Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox,--Duke of,--1735-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox,--Duke of,--1764-1819--Caricatures and cartoons., and Richmond and Lennox, Charlotte Gordon,--Duchess of,--1768-1842--Caricatures and cartoons.
"A scene in the Vestry Room of St. Martin's, Westminster, symbolizing the defeat of the Government on the Scrutiny on 3 Mar., when Sawbridge carried by 38 his motion that the High Bailiff be forthwith ordered to make his return. Fox (left) and Wray (right) are fighting; Wray's sword is broken and he shrinks back from Fox, who threatens him with the sword of Justice. Fox's shield is inscribed 'Majority 38', Wray's is inscribed 'Ingratitude'. A flying cherub holds over Fox's head a laurel wreath, and a scroll inscribed, 'It is Ordered that Thomas Corbett. Esqr do immediately Return - '. From his mouth issues the word "Victory". Fox says, "The Wrath of my Indignation is kindled and I will pursue them with a mighty hand and outstretched Arm until Justice is done to those who have so nobly supported me". Wray says, "My Knees wax feeble and I sink beneath the weight of my own Apostacy -". He steps back across the prostrate body of Corbett, the High Bailiff, who says, "my Conscience is now at peace". Wray's counsel in the Scrutiny are fleeing to the right in confusion. Three of them say, respectively: "Nor Law nor Conscience nor the aid of Potent Ministers can 'ere support this Contest 'gainst such a Chief"; "Help! Help! Our Chief is fallen! O Conscience support me -", and, "Our support is gone and we are fallen into a Pitt, yea even into a Deep Pitt, -". Fox's counsel advance behind him from the left in triumph. The foremost raises a book inscribed 'Truth'; three others hold rolled documents inscribed respectively, 'Law', 'Eloquence', and 'Perseverance'. On the walls of the room are notices: 'At a Vestry holden in and for the Parish of St Martin in the Fields------It is ordered that the Parish Officers be Vigilant in apprehending all Vagabonds in this Parish'. A placard purporting to be a transcript of the creed begins, 'I believe in Murphy the Assessor Almighty maker of good and bad V-----[votes] visible & invisible and. . . . from thence shall come to Judge the quick & the [dea]d------' Next to this is a 'List of bad votes Jn° Hale Esqr J. Matthias Senr J. Matthias J. . . .' After the title is etched: 'and his famed Cecilian Forces on the Plains of St Martin on Thursday the 3rd day of February 1785 by the Champion of the People and his chosen Band, after a smart Skirmish which lasted a considerable time, in which many Men were lost on both sides. But their great Ally at length losing ground, Desertions took place and notwithstanding their vast superiority in Numbers and weight of Metal at the first onset, they decreased apace, altho' often rallied by the ablest Men in Command, till at length the Forces gave way in all quarters & they were totally overthrown. This Print is dedicated to the Electors of the City & Liberty of Westminster who have so nobly stood forth and supported their Champion upon this trying occasion by------An Independent Elector.'"--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Defeat of the high and mighty Bailissimo Corbettino and his famed Cecilian forces ...
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title from first line of caption below image,
Publisher:
W. Humphry near Temple Bar, Strand
Subject (Geographic):
Westminster (London, England)--Politics and government.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Garrow, William,--Sir,--1760-1840--Caricatures and cartoons., Great Britain.--Parliament--Elections, 1784., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, William, approximately 1740-approximately 1810, publisher., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., and Wray, Cecil,--Sir,--1734-1805--Caricatures and cartoons.
"A scaffold extends across the foreground: Fox raises an axe to strike the neck of George III, whose head is held by Sheridan. The scaffold is surrounded by a dense and cheering mob. On the right is the gate of the 'Crown & Anchor' tavern, and from two projecting lamp-brackets swing the bodies of Queen Charlotte and Pitt. The houses of the Strand recede in perspective and terminate in Temple Bar, with two heads on spikes; clouds of smoke appear to come from burning houses east of Temple Bar. On the clouds a meretricious Liberty sits enthroned and triumphant. The King's neck rests on a narrow block, his shaved head appears bald, his legs are held up by Horne Tooke, who stands on the left, saying: "O, such a day as this, so renown'd so victorious, Such a day as this was never seen Revolutionists so gay; - while Aristocrats notorious, Tremble at the universal glee." From Tooke's pocket projects a paper: 'Petition of Horne Tooke' (against the return of Fox and Hood for Westminster, see BMSat 7690). The King, who supports himself on his hands, says, "What! What! What! - what's the matter now". Fox, enormously stout, straddles behind the King, full face his axe raised in both hands; he wears a mask with large circular eye-holes and fox's ears; he says: "Zounds! what the devil is it that puts me into such a hell of a Funk? - damn it, it is but giving one good blow, & all is settled! - but what if I should miss my aim! - ah! it's the fear of that which makes me stink so! - & yet, damnation! what should I be afraid of? if I should not succeed, why nobody can find me out in this Mask, any more than the Man who chop'd the Calf's-head off, a Hundred & Forty Years ago - and so here goes!" Sheridan kneels in profile to the left holding the King by the ear and nose, he looks up at Fox with a sinister scowl, saying, "Hell & Damnation, dont be afraid give a home stroke, & then throw off the Mask - Zounds, I wish I had hold of the Hatchet." Priestley, behind Sheridan, leans towards the King, saying, "Don't be alarmed at your situation, my dear Brother; we must all dye once; and, therefore what does it signify whether we dye today or tomorrow - in fact, a Man ought to be glad of the opportunity of dying, if by that means he can serve his Country, in bringing about a glorious Revolution: - & as to your Soul, or any thing after death don't trouble yourself about that; depend on it, the Idea of a future state, is all an imposition: & as every thing here is vanity & vexation of spirit, you should therefore rejoice at the moment which will render you easy & quiet". He holds a paper: 'Priestley on a Future State'. Sir Cecil Wray stands with his right hand on Sheridan's shoulder, saying, "Here do give me a little room Joseph that I may be in readiness to catch the droppings of the Small Beer when it is tapp'd; I never can bear to see the Small Beer wasted Joseph!" He holds in his left hand a small cask, 'For Small Beer', and a large pipe; in his pocket is a paper: 'Plan of Chelsea Hospital by Sir Ceci[l] Wray'. The Queen is cruelly caricatured; she swings against Pitt, who is in a death agony with crisped fingers."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
S. W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Charlotte,--Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain,--1744-1818--Caricatures and cartoons., Fores, S. W., publisher. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n97860707, Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Priestley, Joseph,--1733-1804--Caricatures and cartoons., Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons., Tooke, John Horne,--1736-1812--Caricatures and cartoons., and Wray, Cecil,--Sir,--1734-1805--Caricatures and cartoons.