"Alecto, a fantastic hag (as in BMSat 7721), stands outside the Crown and Anchor tavern between a diminutive Sheridan (left), playing a fife, and Fox (right), a burly drummer, both wearing regimentals. She towers above them, holding a long pike surmounted by a cap of 'Liberty' and holding out to John Bull, a yokel (as in BMSat 8141), a handful of 'Assignats'. Hissing serpents form her hair and serpents suck at the pendent breasts which her ragged garments do not cover. She has webbed wings, and wears a French cocked hat with a tricolour cockade inscribed 'Liberty'. ... John Bull stands on the left, scratching his head with a puzzled grin; he wears a smock and very wrinkled gaiters; his hat and a pitchfork are in his left hand. ... Sheridan stands between Alecto and John Bull. ... Fox is much larger than Sheridan, both wear French Grenadier's caps. On his drum is the head of a Medusa (Discord) with snaky locks. He smiles, watching John Bull with a stare of eager calculation. ... Behind him and on the extreme right. Stanhope runs off to the right, stooping as if to conceal himself; in his right hand is a letter: 'To Lord Stanhop[e] from W. Pitt.' ... The door of the Crown & Anchor Tavern is immediately behind Fox and Alecto. From it issue flames and smoke in which imps and demons are flying."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Recruiting sarjeant enlisting John-Bull into the Revolution Service
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on lower edge., 1 print : etching, hand-colored, on laid paper ; sheet 377 x 469 mm., and Imperfect; sheet trimmed within plate mark on upper and lower edges with some loss of top portion of image. Mounted to 40 x 56 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. July 4th, 1791, by S.W. Fores, N. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Stanhope, Charles Stanhope, Earl, 1753-1816, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
"The head of Pitt, gazing up in profile to the right, is travestied as a fungus; his long neck represents the stalk, which grows out of a crown resting on a dunghill on which are three satellite toad-stools. Clouds and landscape, slightly indicated, form a background."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Toadstool upon a dung-hill
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Sheet trimmed to plate mark.
Publisher:
Pubd. Decr. 20h [sic], 1791, by H. Humphrey, N. 18 Old Bond Street
"The fat Mrs. Hobart (three-quarter length) sits directed to the left, fast asleep, her mouth open, her hands folded at her waist. Her face is blotched with drink; she wears a small hat from the back of which hangs a veil."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched at bottom of image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Companion print to: "At the opera.", Sheet partially trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Sleeping -- Obesity.
Publisher:
Pubd. Octr. 4th, 1791, by H. Humphrey, N. 18 Old Bond Str
"Lady Cecilia Johnston, a thin and elderly lady (three-quarter length) much caricatured, in profile to the right, sits very alert and erect, her arms folded. Her hair is decorated with feathers and ribbons."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Companion print to: "At church.", and Temporary local subject terms: Theater audience.
Publisher:
Pubd. Octr. 4th, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
"The Prince of Wales reclines on a sofa, half-sitting, half-lying, and leaning against Mrs. Fitzherbert. He is intent on a circular box or 'bandelure' at the end of a string which he holds round the second finger of his raised right hand, playing with the toy revived in the twentieth century as Yo-yo. Sheridan leans over the back of the sofa, embracing Mrs. Fitzherbert and thrusting his hand inside her decolletage. She puts her left hand on Sheridan's cheek, her right arm is round the Prince. The expressions of all three excellently indicate their preoccupations. On the left a fire blazes in the grate; above it is a decorative panel of a horse-race. On the shelf above is a bust of 'Claudius Rom: Imp:', a dice-box and dice, and the figure of an infant Bacchus, astride a cask and holding up a glass. On the wall behind Sheridan's head is a picture of 'Joseph & Potiphers Wife'. Behind him and on the extreme right is an open door showing a staircase. The Prince is stouter than in earlier prints; he wears his star, but his wrinkled stockings and slippers, like his pose, suggest indolence and domesticity. Mrs. Fitzherbert wears a tiara inscribed 'Ich dien', with three ostrich feathers."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Four lines of quoted verse on each side of title: "Thus sits the dupe, content! "Pleases himself with toys, thinks Heav'n secure ..., Sheet trimmed to plate mark on top edge and sides., and Temporary local subject terms: Busts: Claudius, emperor of Rome, 10 B.C.-54 A.D. -- Images amplifying subject: Bacchus as an infant -- Images amplifying subject: depiction of horse race on mantelpiece -- Pictures amplifying subject: Joseph and Potiphar's wife -- Toys: bandalore (yo-yo) -- Gambling: dice and dice-box -- Interiors: sitting rooms -- Furniture: sofas -- Fireplaces -- Morganatic marriages: George IV to Mrs. Fitzherbert -- Allusion to Bible: Genesis, 39.7-12 -- Emblems: frivolity (bandalore) -- Prince of Wales's feathers -- Mottoes: Prince of Wales's motto -- Literature: quotation from Sir Richard Blackmore.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 28th, 1791, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
"The interior of a room in a cottage. General Gunning (left) as an old gipsy-woman, but wearing a military coat, is seated (on a drum) at a table, facing his daughter. In place of a sword he wears a broom. He seals a letter, a number of seals and a letter 'To D------ of M------' [Marlborough] are on the table beside him. Miss Gunning holds a pack of cards (the ace of spades uppermost) to her lips, saying, "I Swear that I never wish'd or tried directly or indirectly to get a Coronet; that I never saw or writ to Lord B------[Blandford] or Lord L--------- [Lorne], in all my Life; - that Men are my aversion; - & that I never had any thing to do with, with the Groom, in all my born days; - Will that do, Dad?" He answers, "Well done, Bett! we'll get thro' the Business I'll warrant you; - we can write with all sorts of hands, we've got all kinds of Seals, & with the assistance of our old Friend under the Table, we shall be able to gu them yet daughter but I must be Mum". Through a hole in the boards under the table the Devil emerges, surrounded with flames, he holds up a torch exultantly, saying "Swear!" Gunning melts his sealing-wax in the torch, the right is an open hearth over which hangs a cauldron full of coronets. Beside it (left) sits Mrs. Gunning, blowing the fire with a pair of bellows formed of a book: 'Letter to the D------ of A' (see BMSat 7983). She says: "That's right, my sweet innocent Angel! say Grace boldly! make haste my dear little lovely Lambkin! - I'll soon blow up the Fire, while Nauntee-Peg helps to cook up the Coronets; we'll get you a nice tit-bit for Dinner, before we've done, my dear little deary." Opposite her and on the extreme right an old woman, dressed in rags stands over the cauldron with a spoon, saying, "Puff away, Sister! the Soup will soon boil - law's me, how soft the Green Peas do grow, & how they Jump about in the Pot when you Puff your Bellows!" Behind her is a placard: 'Waltham Abbey - by Peg Niffy'. (Mrs. Gunning, née Minifie, was said in the Press to have written a novel called Waltham Abbey, this she denied. 'Letter . . .', p. 89.) On the wall behind Miss Gunning is a print of the pillory (the punishment for perjury) and a bill: 'Affidavit of Eliz: Canning.' Behind her father are 'The Life of a Soldier', 'The Man of Honor a Catch', and 'The useful Groom a new song'. Through a door (left) behind Gunning is seen a groom holding a horse; he says, "I'm ready to ride, or swear, or any thing". A signpost points 'to Blenheim'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Peep at the conjuration of Mary Squires & the Gypsey family
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Allusion to John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll -- Allusion to George William Campbell, 6th Duke of Argyll -- Allusion to George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough -- Allusion to George Spencer, 5th Duke of Marlborough -- Literature: allusion to Susannah Gunning's Waltham Abbey -- Interiors: cottage -- Pictures amplifying subject: title page of Waltham Abbey -- Pictures amplifying subject: pillory -- Furniture: tables -- Military drums -- Coronets -- Utensils: ladles -- Inkpots -- Seals -- Sealing-wax -- Minifie, Margaret "Auntee Peg"., and Watermark: armorial shield with fleur-de-lis on top and initials G R below.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 25th, 1791, by J.M. Fobes [sic], N. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Canning, Elizabeth, 1734-1773., Squires, Mary, -1762., Gunning, Mrs. 1740?-1800 (Susannah),, Gunning, Miss 1769-1823 (Elizabeth),, Gunning, John, -1797, and Minifie, Margaret
Subject (Topic):
Bellows, Brooms & brushes, Card games, Cauldrons, Devil, Drums (Musical instruments), Fireplaces, Grooms (Weddings), Playing cards, and Torches
"Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette seated on chairs at Varennes while an armed and ferocious mob invades the room through an open door (left); the approach of an angry crowd is suggested by a sea of heads, above which weapons are raised. The King sits full face, the Queen beside him in profile to the left and on the extreme right. One ruffian presents a blunderbuss at the Queen, another, yelling, threatens the King with a pistol and sabre. A soldier (left) advances with his musket cocked towards the little Dauphin, who has fallen on his back at the King's feet, having apparently been pushed over by the soldier's bayonet. A man wearing only a bonnet rouge and a shirt advances with a dagger in each hand; behind him is a man with a raised hammer in one hand, a broom in the other."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
French democrats surprising the royal runaways
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Invasion of Varennes -- Allusion to French Revolution -- French democrats -- Fugitives -- Weapons: sabres -- Guns: blunderbass -- Muskets with bayonettes -- Daggers -- Emblems: bonnet rouge -- French revolutionary cockade -- Brooms -- Hammers.
Publisher:
Pubd. June 27th, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Louis XVI, King of France, 1754-1793, Louis XVII, of France, 1785-1795, and Marie Antoinette, Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France, 1755-1793
"The Queen, much caricatured, sits over a fire in profile to the right, toasting sprats on a gridiron (then called a saveall, see BMSat 6965); a plate of fish stands on a high trivet beside her. She wears over-sleeves, a check apron over an under-petticoat on which hangs a pocket, bulging with guineas, but patched."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Titles etched below images., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Identical imprint etched below each image., One line of text across the length of the plate: Ah! sure a pair was never seen, ... so justly formed to meet by nature!, Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Parsimony -- Utensils: forks -- Knives -- Dishes: plates -- Furniture: trivets -- Gridirons -- Fireplaces: ovens -- Bags of money.
Publisher:
Pubd. Novr. 28th, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Charlotte, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818
"Fox as Guy Vaux kneels on one knee beside a pile of three barrels which he is about to fire with a lighted paper inscribed 'Rights of Man', holding up a dark lantern in his left hand. Burke, dressed as a watchman, rushes towards him and seizes Fox's left wrist, turning the rays of the lantern on his face, while he springs the rattle in his outstretched right hand. His long staff rests on his shoulder and he wears a long coat with a triple collar, badged on the left sleeve with a crown. He says, ""Hold Miscreant - I arrest thee in the name of the British Constitution, which thou art undermining - I arrest thee in the name of human nature, which thou hast most cruelly outraged; - I arrest thee in the name of that Monarch whom thou dost wish to deprive of dignity, & of that people whom thou hast most basely deluded! - Nay, no fawning: - thy Tears & thy hypocrisy make no impression on the mind of truth & Loyalty: - therefore, Enemy of all good! yeild to that punishmt which has long waited those "crimes which are left as yet unwhipt of Justice"". Fox, who wears a slouch hat and a long cloak buttoned over his mouth, says, "O Lord! O Lord! that ever my aim should be discover'd when I had taken such pains to disguise myself - for Heavens sake, Watchman, what have I done that I should be apprehended? - what have I done only answer me that! - dare you accuse me only for what you think I intended to do ? - have I ever assassinated the King, or blown up the Lords ? - as to this Gunpowder here, I only intended to set fire to it merely to clear the Nation of Buggs: - for goodness sake do let me go: - or if I must suffer do let it be without holding up my own dark Lanthorn in my Face, for my Eyes are so weak with crying to think I should be charged with such Villainy, that I cannot bear the Light." Large tears fall from his eyes. The barrels are inscribed 'Gunpowder', one 'for the King', another 'for the House of Lords'. Behind, Sheridan escapes up a flight of steps, he follows another conspirator whose leg is visible on the extreme right. He says, I must be off while I can; as to my Friend there, why, if he does go to pot there's the more room for me! - I wish I could squeeze out a Tear or two as well as he, it might impose on the Mob, if they should stop me: - but I've come that humbug so often before, that my Eyes - Da-n my Eyes! there's not one drop left in them." ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from text in lower right corner of image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Text below title: NB his associates were all taken afterwards & executed., Sheet trimmed leaving thread margins., Temporary local subject terms: Charles Fox as Guy Vaux -- Allusion to George II, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820 -- Plot against House of Lords -- Gunpowder Plot, 1604 -- Dark lantern -- Watchman's rattle -- Burke as watchman -- Watchman's staff -- Denounced coalition -- Quarrel: Fox and Burke, 1791 -- Puns: 'Vaux' for Fox -- Burke's spectacles., 1 print : etching, hand-colored, on laid paper ; sheet 356 x 502 mm, mounted to 37 x 56 cm., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Identifications in Thomas Kirgate's hand written at bottom of sheet.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 14th, 1791, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816