"The interior of a bare, poverty-stricken room with a raftered roof. Pitt and Dundas, as watchmen, batter down the upper timbers of a door (right) which has been strongly bolted, locked, and barricaded. Both have long staves, Pitt holds up a lantern. The occupants hide or flee, except Lord Moira, who stands stiffly in profile to the right on the extreme left, his crisped fingers outspread deprecatingly, disassociating himself from his companions (cf. BMSat 9184); he wears regimentals with a cocked hat. A heavy but ragged cloth covers a rectangular table in the middle of the room, on which are ink-pot and papers: a 'Plan of Invasion' with a map of 'France' and 'Ireland'. This lies across a paper signed 'yours O'Conner'. A dark-lantern stands on the open pages of the 'Proceedings of the London Corresponding Society'. An office stool has been overturned. Prone under the table, their heads and shoulders draped by the cloth, are (left to right): Horne Tooke, Nicoll, and Tierney. Fox and Sheridan escape up a ladder to a trap-door in the roof; the latter still has one foot on the floor. Between ladder and wall (left) is an iron-bound chest filled with daggers; more daggers are heaped on the floor: beneath them are two papers: 'The Press' (the organ of the United Irishmen, started by O'Connor, see BMSat 9186) and 'Bloody News from Ireland Bloody News Bloody News'; this lies across a paper signed 'Munchausen' (cf. BMSat 9184). The Duke of Norfolk is timorously waiting his turn to escape by the wide chimney, up which Bedford is disappearing; the latter is identified by a paper hanging from his pocket: 'Bedford Dog Kennel'. A large fire burns in the grate, on the bar of which Bedford puts his foot. Across the chimney is scrawled 'Vive l'Egalite', on either side of a bonnet-rouge. Above it are prints, bust-portraits of 'Buonapart' and 'Robertspier'. On the right is a casement window showing a night sky and the turrets of the White Tower. Below it is hung a broadside headed by a guillotine and the words 'Vive la Guillotin'. In the corner of the room (right) is a pile of bonnets-rouges. In the foreground rats scamper towards a large hole in the ramshackle floor. Beside them are papers: 'Assignats' and 'Plan for raising United Irishmen'."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
State-watchmen mistaking honest-men for conspirators
Description:
Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Bedford, Francis Russell,--Duke of,--1765-1802--Caricatures and cartoons., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings,--Marquess of,--1754-1826--Caricatures and cartoons., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., Melville, Henry Dundas,--Viscount,--1742-1811--Caricatures and cartoons., Nicholls, John,--1745?-1832--Caricatures and cartoons., Norfolk, Charles Howard,--Duke of,--1746-1815--Caricatures and cartoons., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons., Tierney, George,--1761-1830--Caricatures and cartoons., and Tooke, John Horne,--1736-1812--Caricatures and cartoons.
"Pitt, Hastings, and Thurlow, the State Jugglers, are on a platform outside the gate of St. James's Palace. Above the gate projects the sign of the Crown inn, across which rests a plank forming a see-saw; on this the King (right) as Punch sits facing Queen Charlotte, dressed as Judy or Mother Shipton; she takes a pinch of snuff, the King holds out his hands as if in disapproval. A crowd of suppliants surrounds the platform. Pitt, bending towards them, pulls ribbons from his mouth; three men on the extreme left hold out their arms eagerly: one is a naval officer, a 'Log Book' under his arm shows that he is Sir Alexander Hood, see BMSat 5536, K.B. elect, see BMSat 7318. The second is Wilkes; the third cannot be identified. Hastings kneels between Pitt and Thurlow, his hands crossed humbly on his breast, a copious stream of coins issues from his mouth. Dundas, Lansdowne, Sydney, a bishop, and a fifth suppliant hold out their hats eagerly to catch the coins. Thurlow stands erect, his hands on his hips, flames and smoke issuing from his mouth inscribed "Hell-Fire, my Soul, Dam, Blast, Eyes, Heaven, Curse, Limbs, Blood". A little chimney-sweep [The sweep is said to represent Frederick Montagu, one of the Commissioners in Fox's India Bill. Wright and Evans.] and a ragged fishwife, a basket of fish on her head, stand gazing at him with wonder and admiration. On the extreme right, at the side of the platform, Fox, supported on the shoulders of Burke, slyly holds out his hat behind Thurlow; Sheridan (?) [Identified by Wright and Evans as the Duke of Norfolk] supports them. ..."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Attributed to Gillray in the British Museum catalogue., Four lines of verse below title: "Who wrought such wonders as might make, Egyptian sorcerers forsake ..." Churchll., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
S. W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Burke, Edmund,--1729-1797--Caricatures and cartoons., Charlotte,--consort of George III, King of Great Britain,--1744-1818--Caricatures and cartoons., Fores, S. W., publisher., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Hastings, Warren,--1732-1818--Caricatures and cartoons., Lansdowne, William Petty,--Marquis of,--1737-1805--Caricatures and cartoons., Melville, Henry Dundas,--Viscount,--1742-1811--Caricatures and cartoons., Norfolk, Charles Howard,--Duke of,--1746-1815--Caricatures and cartoons., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons., Sydney, Thomas Townshend,--Viscount,--1733-1800--Caricatures and cartoons., Thurlow, Edward Thurlow,--Baron,--1731-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., and Wilkes, John,--1725-1797--Caricatures and cartoons.
"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.
"Pitt as hangman stands beside a fire of faggots immediately outside the door of the 'Crown & Anchor' (name on door-post). In his right hand is an axe; he drops an open book into the flames, and looks over his shoulder at Reeves who is disappearing into the tavern. On one page (right) is the trunk of a tree surmounted by a crown and the words 'The Royal Stump', on the other: 'No Lords No Commons No Parliame[nt] Damn the Revolution'. He wears a long coat with a hangman's noose tied round his waist, a round hat, and wrinkled gaiters. From his pocket protrudes a book: 'Ministerial Sincerity and Attachment a Novel'. He says:"Know, villains, when such paltry slaves presume To mix in Treason, if the plot succeeds, You're thrown neglected by: - but if it fails, You're sure to die like dogs!" Reeves, with hands outstretched in protest, says: "O Jenky! Jenky! have I gone through thick & thin for this ?" From his coat-pockets hang papers: '£400 pr Ann, To the Chairm[an] of the Crown & Anchor', and, 'List of Spies Informers Reporters Crown & Anchor Agents'. On the right Fox, Sheridan, and Erskine blow at the fire; the two former on hands and knees, Erskine, in wig and gown, between them, an arm across the shoulders of each. Smoke and the lower parts of the adjacent houses form a background. ..."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Crown and Anchor-libel burnt by the public hangman
Description:
One line of text below title: To the charman [sic] & members of the truly loyal association at the Crown & Anchor, this small token of gratitude for favors receiv'd is respectfully dedicated by the author. and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Association for Preserving Liberty and Property against Republicans and Levellers (London, England), Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Erskine, Thomas Erskine,--Baron,--1750-1823--Caricatures and cartoons., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., Liverpool, Charles Jenkinson,--Earl of,--1727-1808., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Reeves, John,--1752?-1829.--Thoughts on the English government., and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons.
Subject (Topic):
Axes., Bonfires., Executioners., Lamps., and Taverns (Inns)--18th century.
"Fox (right), a news-boy (as in BMSat 8458), ragged and unshaven, stands in profile to the left, his right hand on the knocker of the gate of the 'Treasury'. He wears a bonnet-rouge on the front of which is a tricolour placard: 'Daily Advertiser' (like those worn by news-boys); his horn is thrust through his belt. He shouts: "Bloody-News! - Bloody-News! - Bloody-News!! - glorious-bloody News for old-England! - Bloody News! - Traitrous- Taxes! - Swindling-Loans! - Murd'ring-Militia's.' - Ministerail-Invasions! - Ruin to all Europe! - alarming - bloody - News! - Bloody-News!!!" The knocker is a ring in the mouth of a Medusa head with the face of Pitt. From above the spiked bars of the closed gate issues a label: 'Lord! Fellow! - pray don't keep such a knocking & Bawling there; - we never take in any Jacobin papers here! - & never open the doors for any, but such as can be trusted: True-Briton's & such!' Under Fox's left arm is a roll of 'Paris-Papers'; in his left hand a large sheet of the 'Daily Advertiser' with three columns of advertisements, headed, 'Places Wanted, Wants Places', and 'Wanted: Wanted, - a Place in the Treasury. Wanted, an Appointment in the Exchequer. Wanted, a Situation at St James's. Wants a Place a thorough-bred Secretary. Wants a Place. A Man of all Work. Wants Employt a true Greek-Patriarch. Wanted, a Place in the Pension-List. Wanted, a comfortable Annuity for Life. Wanted, a snug Sinecure for Life. N.B: The above Mouth-stoppers will be purchas'd upon any Terms; - !!! For particulars apply to the Fox & Grapes in Starvation Lane - or, at the Box & Dice in Knave's Accre'. On the wall behind his head (right) is posted a bill: 'Just Publish'd a new Edition The Cries of the Opposition, or, the Tears of the Famish'd Patriots, dedicated to the consideration of the Ministry.' ..."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Title etched at bottom of image. and Two lines of text below title: "--for a dozen years past, he has follow'd the business of a Daily-advertiser ..."
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., and Pitt, William,--1759-1806--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.
"The beam of a pair of scales is suspended from a vertical bar terminating in a ring which encircles one of many solid rays from a large sun (l.) surmounted by the Prince of Wales' coronet and feathers. The 'Rising-Sun' (see BMSat 10258) is partly obscured by dark clouds, but its rays extend across the design and illuminate especially Sidmouth and Ellenborough. The former is poised triumphantly on the cross-beam, depressing the r. scale with his foot, while he holds on his shoulders Ellenborough in judge's wig and gown, who manipulates the scale in the same direction. This lower scale contains the 'Broad-Bottomites' ie the Grenvillites, or New Opposition, the other, the 'No-Bottomites', i.e. the Foxites, or Old Opposition. In the latter (l.) the occupants hold the ropes with expressions of anxiety; the inscription suggests that they lack 'bottom' or endurance (a pugilistic phrase). Fox is the most prominent, between Erskine (l.), in Chancellor's wig and gown and with the Purse of the Great Seal, and Grey (r.). Moira, in cocked hat and regimentals, stands stiffly behind. Fox and Grey have bonnets rouges but do not wear them. The other bowl contains Grenville, one hand on his fat nephew Lord Temple; the heavy posteriors for which the family were noted take up much of the bowl. Windham waves his hat triumphantly. Of two other partly obscured occupants one resembles Lord Henry Petty. The scales are suspended above the curve of the globe on which Great Britain and the Continent are indicated. Behind the North Pole (r.) is a setting sun containing a royal crown; its feeble rays are outshone by the heavy beams of the rising sun (or son). Above it, among clouds, flies the ghost of Pitt, weeping."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Title etched below image., and Two lines of text following title: NB. The representation of the astonishing strength & influence of the rays from the rising-sun is taken from Sir Isaac Newtons theory of light.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 16th, 1806, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street,
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos,--Duke of,--1776-1839--Caricatures and cartoons., Ellenborough, Edward Law,--Baron,--1750-1818--Caricatures and cartoons., Erskine, Thomas Erskine,--Baron,--1750-1823--Caricatures and cartoons., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville,--Baron,--1759-1834--Caricatures and cartoons., Grey, Charles Grey,--Earl,--1764-1845--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings,--Marquess of,--1754-1826--Caricatures and cartoons., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice,--Marquess of,--1780-1863--Caricatures and cartoons., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Sidmouth, Henry Addington,--Viscount,--1757-1844--Caricatures and cartoons., and Windham, William,--1750-1810--Caricatures and cartoons.
"A caricature of the famous scene in the House of Commons on 28 Dec. 1792. Burke (right) stands in profile to the left, his hands extended, having just thrown down the dagger, which lies at his feet; he looks with a contemptuous frown at Pitt and Dundas, who are seated on the Treasury Bench (left). On the extreme left the Speaker is represented by his hat, wig, and gown; his headlessness perhaps indicates Gillray's opinion of Addington. On the opposite side of the table Fox clutches his hat, looking at Burke out of the corners of his eyes with an alarmed expression; Sheridan, equally alarmed, clutches Fox's shoulder; behind them sits M. A. Taylor, clasping his hands. Burke, whose corpulence and a bag-wig suggest that he is now drawing funds from the Treasury, says: "There! that is what you are to gain by an alliance with France! - such are the Instruments with which they have determin'd the destruction of the Human race! - Three Thousand such Daggers are now manufacturing for this Country! - for where French principles are introduced, you must prepare your hearts for French Daggers! - Nineteen Assassins are already here, who aided & abbetted by wretches who do not believe in a God, are preparing to scour the filth from your Streets with the Blood of all who are Virtuous & Honorable!!" Pitt, seated in profile to the right, very thin, with his hair rising on his head in terror, says, "The blood of the Virtuous & Honorable ? then Lord have mercy upon Me!" Dundas, wearing a tartan plaid, adds, equally terrified, "And upon Me!" Fox says "Confusion! - one of Our daggers, by all thats bloody! how the devil did he come by that ? - ha! what's that ? Nineteen Assassins ? - O damnation! - we're found out & all our schemes ruin'd for ever!!!" Sheridan says: "O Charley, Charley! - farewell to all our hopes of Levelling Monarchs! - farewell to all our hopes of paying off my debts by a general Bankruptcy! - farewell to all hopes of plunder! - in a moment of Victory we're trap'd & undone!!!"."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Plot discover'd and Plot discovered
Description:
Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Burke, Edmund,--1729-1797--Caricatures and cartoons., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., Melville, Henry Dundas,--Viscount,--1742-1811--Caricatures and cartoons., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons., Sidmouth, Henry Addington,--Viscount,--1757-1844--Caricatures and cartoons., and Taylor, Michael Angelo,--1757-1834--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.
"Pitt as an alchemist, but dressed as usual, sits in his laboratory blowing a furnace with bellows formed of a royal crown. The furnace heats a large glass retort in which the House of Commons is being dissolved: the galleries are collapsing, the Speaker's chair is breaking, he and the clerks are asleep, the broken mace drops from the table, the books fly into the air and ascend with documents, &c, into the curving neck of the retort: 'Coke', 'Acts', 'Statutes', 'Rights of Parliament', 'Magna Charta', 'Bill of Rights', a cap of 'Libertas', the scales of Justice are flying upwards. The Ministerial members applaud; the Opposition are dismayed. Sheridan and Fox, though tiny, are conspicuous on the front bench. A stream of vapour issues from the mouth of the retort containing tiny grovelling figures of abject members who fill both sides of another House of Commons above and behind the alchemist's head, and prostrate themselves before a miniature Pitt, who sits on a throne which replaces the Speaker's chair, and is inscribed 'Perpetual Dictator'. He sits arrogantly, holding a sceptre; his legs are those of a bird of prey (cf. BMSat 7478), one foot is planted on 'Mag[na] C[harta]' and 'Acts of Parl[iament]'. His throne is surmounted by his crest, a stork holding an anchor, with the addition of a crown on the bird's head. A smaller retort on the extreme left, inscribed 'Aqua Regia', adds its vapour to that produced by Pitt. (Aqua Regia, used punningly, with a double meaning, is a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids which converts metals, even gold, into chlorides.) Pitt (the Alchemist) and the figures he is evoking, as well as the ministerialists in the dissolving House, wear the blue coat with red facings of the Windsor uniform. He sits in profile to the right on the model of a high rectangular building, 'a bastille', having a row of windows on the top story only; it is a 'Model of the new Barracks'. From his pocket hangs a paper: 'Receipe - Antidotus Republica'. On the right of the circular furnace is a coal-scuttle, inscribed 'Treasury Cole' (cf. BMSat 6213), and overflowing with guineas. On the other side is a pestle and mortar in which is Britannia's shield, about to be broken up. From the roof hang emblems of nefarious wizardry: a crocodile, a headsman's axe, a scorpion, a bull's head, a locust (cf. BMSat 8669), an asp issuing from an egg, a bat. On the wall are three rows of large jars, some with inscriptions: 'Ointment of Caterpillars' (beside Pitt's head, cf. BMSat 8676), '[Univer]sal Panacea', 'Oil of Influence', 'Extract of British Blood', 'Spirit of Sal: Machiavel.'"--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Alchymist producing an aetherial representation
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., Pitt, William,--1759-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons.