"Pitt, a colossal figure (cf. BMSat 8980), bestrides the Rotunda of the 'Bank of England'. His arms and legs are very thin, but his body is formed of a (transparent) sack distended with gold coins and inscribed '£'. His elbows are akimbo, his hands grasp the sides of the sack; from the little finger of his left hand hangs a key, 'Key of Public Property'. Round the mouth of the sack is a heavy chain clasped by a padlock inscribed 'Power of securing Public Credit'. From the sack emerges the pipe-like neck down which coins are passing. Pitt looks arrogantly to the right, a blast issues from his closed lips of many paper notes inscribed 'one'. Near his mouth are a few gold coins which he is presumably inhaling. He wears a crown formed of 'one' pound notes; through it project his ass's ears. The near side of the Rotunda is removed, showing a descending shower of paper and an ascending cluster of coins which are being drawn upwards to join those in the sack. Little figures in and around the rotunda, under Pitt's legs, hold up their hands in dismay at the shower of £1 notes. Among them is a John Bull wearing a smock. Two men hold papers inscribed 'Dividend'; a Jew walks off (left) with 'Scrip'. On the left, behind Pitt's right foot, is the sea-shore; large reeds at its edge blow towards him; among these are five heads wearing bonnets-rouges, each with a label issuing from his mouth: 'Midas has Ears'. They are Fox, Sheridan, Erskine, M. A. Taylor, and (?) Grey. They diminish in size from Fox to Taylor. Across the sea is 'Brest', from which a fleet is setting out. Behind it are black clouds, and an explosion rises from them in which are swarms of tiny figures holding daggers and wearing bonnets-rouges. This spreads behind Pitt's head who appears unconscious of it. He looks down towards three almost naked winged figures: Grenville (left) and Dundas (right) hold up between them a scroll: 'Prosperous state of British Finances. & the new Plan for diminishing the National Debt - with Hints on the increase of Commerce'. Between and above them is Windham, Secretary-at-War, a pen behind his ear. He waves his cocked hat, Grenville his coronet, and Dundas his Scots cap. Beneath the title: 'History of Midas, - The great Midas having dedicated himself to Bacchus [cf. BMSat 8651], obtained from that Deity, the Power of changing all he Touched - Apollo fixed Asses-Ears upon his head, for his Ignorance - & although he tried to hide his disgrace with a Regal Cap, yet the very Sedges which grew from the Mud of the Pactolus, whisper'd out his Infamy, whenever they were agitated by the Wind from the opposite Shore - Vide Ovid's Metamorposes.'"--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Midas transmuting all into paper
Description:
Title etched below image. 'Gold' in title scored through., Three lines of text below title: History of Midas -- The great Midas having dedicated himself to Bacchus ..., Temporary local subject terms: Money: coins -- Bank notes -- Cupids -- Brest -- French fleet., and Mounted to 46 x 33 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 9th, 1797, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Taylor, Michael Angelo, 1757-1834, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, and Bank of England.
"Pitt (right) stands stiffly in profile to the left, holding open a large sack-like wallet inscribed 'Requisition Budget'. He addresses John Bull, the central figure, a stout yokel, who holds out his breeches in his left hand to Pitt, while he touches his hat. The budget and the breeches pockets are full of guineas. Pitt says: "More Money, John! - more Money! to defend you from the Bloody, the Cannibal French - They're a coming! - why they'll Strip you to the very Skin - more Money. John! - They're a coming - They're a coming." Dundas, Grenville, and Burke kneel on the right, bending towards the 'Budget', each with his left hand in an opening in a vertical seam, eagerly grabbing guineas. Behind them is the stone archway of the 'Treasury', with its high spiked gate. Dundas, the most prominent, wears Highland dress and holds a Scots cap full of coins. Grenville wears a peer's robe; Burke is behind. They echo Pitt: Dundas says "Ay! Ay! They're a coming! They're a coming!" Grenville: "Yes! Yes, They're a coming." Burke: "Ay They're a coming." John says: " - a coming? - are they? - nay then, take all I've got, at once, Measter Billy! - vor its much better for I to ge ye all I have in the World to save my Bacon, - than to stay & be Strip'd stark naked by Charley, & the plundering French Invasioners, as you say". His coat and waistcoat are sound, but the pockets hang inside out, empty. His lank hair, knotted kerchief, and wrinkled gaiters denote the small farmer. Behind (left), on the shore, stands Fox looking across the water towards the fortress of 'Brest' flying a tricolour flag. He hails it with upraised arms, shouting: "What! more Money ? - O the Aristocrat Plunderer! - Vite Citoyens! - vite! - vite! depechez vous! - or we shall be too late to come inn for any Snacks of the I'argant! - vite Citoyens! vite! vite!""--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
John Bull giving his breeches to save his bacon
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed to plate mark on left and bottom edges., and Temporary local subject terms: Yokels -- Money: guineas -- Treasury -- Male dress: Highland dress -- Budgets: Pitt's speech, Dec. 7, 1796
Publisher:
Pubd. Novr. 7th, 1796, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, Grenville, William Wyndham Grenville, Baron, 1759-1834, and Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797
"Through the folding doors of the House of Commons rats are seen fleeing from the Opposition benches and leaping from the gallery above. In the foreground, scampering down steps leading to the lobby, are rats with human faces: Fox and 'Grey' (collar so inscribed) are first, followed by Sheridan and Erskine and little M. A. Taylor. The Speaker and the two Clerks look astounded. Pitt is speaking; he holds a paper: 'Rights of Parliamt'. Next him on the front bench sits the bulky Dundas in Highland dress, and next Dundas the tiny Wilberforce. These three, though on a small scale, are fully characterized. Behind them are the serried ranks of the Government, holding up their hands in astonishment, as do others in the gallery. A few members of the Opposition, not transformed into rats, stand behind the Speaker's chair (right). The wall of the House is damaged by rats, some of whom are escaping through holes they have made. On the wall beside the door (left) are bills: 'Virtue Triumphant or the Expulsion of Vice and Opposition Silenced.'"--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Opposition-rats leaving the House they have undermined
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: House of Commons -- Opposition: members of the Opposition as rats -- Parliamentary reforms: reference to Grey's motion for reform -- Parliamentary secessions.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 28th, 1797, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Taylor, Michael Angelo, 1757-1834, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, and Wilberforce, William, 1759-1833
"Pitt and Dundas (in tartan), back to back, vigorously ply long whips against a herd of swine with human faces whom they drive through broken palings from the enclosure in which they stand (right). On the extreme left is the corner of a pound through which poke the heads of two (normal) swine, ringed and shedding tears. The swine who are being flogged have, beside their human heads, ringed snouts, both heads being enclosed in a wooden triangle. The leaders are Fox, with Norfolk (cf. BMSat 9205) on his right and Bedford (cf. BMSat 8684) on his left, the others are less prominent: Erskine, Tierney, looking over Fox's back, Burdett, Derby, and Nicholls (left), while M. A. Taylor (right), smaller than the others, scampers to right instead of left. Beside the pound (left) stands a grinning yokel (John Bull); on its post is a placard: 'London Corresponding Society - or the Cries of the Pigs in the Pound'. The background is a row of conical haystacks behind which is a thatched and gabled farm-house. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Swine flogg'd out of the farm yard and Swine flogged out of the farm yard
Description:
Title etched below image., Three columns of verse etched below title: Once a society of swine, liv'd in a paradice [sic] of straw, a herd more beautiful & fine, I'm sure Sir Joseph never saw ..., and Temporary local subject terms: Allusion to George III as Farmer George -- Allusion to the London Corresponding Society.
Publisher:
Pubd. June 22d, 1798, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James Street
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Bedford, Francis Russell, Duke of, 1765-1802, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Tierney, George, 1761-1830, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, Nicholls, John, 1745?-1832, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, and Taylor, Michael Angelo, 1757-1834
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Farms, Haystacks, and Swine
Title from item., Statement following date of imprint: ... of whom may be had the Battle of Hastings &c., Printmaker suggested in the British Museum catalogue., and Temporary local subject terms: Taxes -- Proposal to farm the tax on post horses, 1787 -- Personification: Liberty -- Personification: Property.
Publisher:
Pub'd as the act directs for the proprietor, by W. Moore, No. 48 New Bond Street, E. Macklew, No. 9, Haymarket, & W. Dickie, Strand
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Richmond, Charles Lennox, 3d Duke of, 1735-1806, and Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811
"Pitt as Death on the pale Horse rides naked on the White Horse of Hanover, galloping over the prostrate bodies of pigs; other pigs, a multitude extending to the horizon, flee before him. On the horse's fringed saddle-cloth is a crown. Pitt is very emaciated, his flaming hair streams behind him encircled by a fillet inscribed 'Destruction'. In his right hand is a large flaming sword; in his left he holds the thread-like body of a scaly monster with gaping jaws, webbed wings, and serpent's tail. Behind him on the horse's hind quarters sits a naked imp wearing the feathered coronet of the Prince of Wales, with the motto 'Ich di[en]'. He grasps Pitt, and kisses his posterior; in his left hand he holds out a paper: 'Provision for the Millenium £125,000 pr An'. The horse's tail streams out, expanding into clouds, and merging with the flames of Hell which rise from the extreme right. In the tail and flames imps are flying, headed by Dundas holding a pitchfork; he wears a wig and plaid with horns and webbed wings. Behind are three imps: Loughborough, indicated as usual by an elongated judge's wig in back view (cf. BMSat 6796); Burke with webbed wings and serpent's tail; Pepper Arden [Identified by Wright and Evans as Lord Kenyon. The identification in the text is confirmed by Lord Holland.] wearing a large wig. In the foreground (right) Pitt's opponents are being kicked towards Hell by the horse's hind legs. Fox has just been violently struck in the face, and staggers backwards, clutching a paper inscribed 'Peace'. Sheridan lies prone, face downwards, hands raised, as if for mercy. Wilberforce sits on the ground clasping his 'Motion for a Peace' (see BMSat 8637). Behind Fox Lansdowne looks up from the ground, clenching his fists. On the extreme right the Duke of Norfolk, Lord Stanhope, and the Duke of Grafton are about to plunge into the flames: Fox in falling is pushing them over. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Two lines of text below title: And e'er the last days began, I looked, & behold, a white horse, & his name who sat upon it was Death ..., and Mounted to 36 x 42 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. June 4th, 1795, by H. Humphrey, N. 37 New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Wilberforce, William, 1759-1833, Grafton, Augustus Henry Fitzroy, Duke of, 1735-1811, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Stanhope, Charles Stanhope, Earl, 1753-1816, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Rosslyn, Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of, 1733-1805, Brothers, Richard, 1757-1824, and Halhed, Nathaniel Brassey, 1751-1830.
"The King and Queen, seated on the throne (left), receive with astonished horror a deputation from Turkey. An arrogant Turk stands proffering a large rolled document with pendent seals on which are crescents: 'Powers for a new Connexion between the Port, England & France'. Beside him (left) another Turk grovels on the ground. Fox and Sheridan, kneeling with crouching humility, hold up the long cloak of the Turkish emissary; their bonnets-rouges are decorated with crescents. Behind them Priestley bows low (right). Turks with spears and banners stand behind him. To a spear topped with a crescent is attached a tricolour flag inscribed 'Vive la Republique'. Pitt, a naked mannikin, one foot on the royal dais, clutches the King's knee in terror: a chain from his wrist is attached to a royal crown lying on the ground. Behind him, and beside the throne, stands Dundas in Highland dress, tall and impassive, holding a pike. The King and Queen are much caricatured: the King stares, biting his fingers and clutching the Queen; she puts her fan before her face but looks through its sticks (as in BMSat 9528) at the Turks. The three elder princesses (not caricatured) peep from behind the throne on the extreme left."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Final resource of French atheists
Description:
Title etched below image., Temporary local subject terms: Turkish ambassador -- Crowns -- Thrones -- Male costume: bonnet rouge -- Female costume: fans -- Pets: Pitt as a monkey -- Turks -- Royal princesses., and Incomplete images of two prints on verso: The Monster Broke Loose, or, A Peep into the Shakespeare Gallery and The Vulture of the Constitution.
Publisher:
Pubd. Decr. 26th, 1793, by H. Humphrey, N. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804, and Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811
"The interior of a church (? the Chapel Royal) showing pulpit, side-gallery, and pews beneath the gallery. Wilkes (left) is the preacher, beneath him is his clerk, Pitt. At a right angle to the gallery is the royal pew (right), from which the King looks with earnest attention to the preacher. Queen Charlotte, her fingers to her mouth, also listens attentively. A lady-in-waiting and a courtier with a long wand (Lord Salisbury, the Lord Chamberlain) stand behind. The pew is decorated with the royal arms and has a canopy. In the centre of the gallery sit the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Fitzherbert; he turns away from the preacher, looking at her. Behind him stands George Hanger; behind Mrs. Fitzherbert sits a man looking at Wilkes through a spy-glass. Between him and the royal pew are three men in legal wigs and gowns: Pepper Arden, Dundas, and (?) Kenyon. Between the Prince and the pulpit sit North (asleep) and Burke, looking intently at Wilkes; a lady (? Duchess of Devonshire) attempts to wake North. In the seats under the gallery sit parties of citizens, in general asleep or inattentive. Below the royal pew stands Fox on a low stool as a penitent draped in a sheet; he wears a placard inscribed 'For Playing Cards on the Lord's Day'. A stout lady with an aquiline nose stands near Pitt; with a raised whip she chases a number of dogs out of the church. She has some resemblance to the Duchess of Gordon, a friend of Pitt. Immediately behind Mrs. Fitzherbert and between two Gothic windows is a wall-tablet inscribed: 'This Tablet is erected to the memory of the renowned Plenipotentiary who died by the bow string a short time after his return to Algiers. Two maiden ladies of this Parish who tasted exquisite felicity from his Prowess, dedicate this frail memorial to his loved memory'. Cf. British Museum Satires No. 7935, &c. Immediately behind Mrs. Fitzherbert and between two Gothic windows is a wall-tablet inscribed: 'This Tablet is erected to the memory of the renowned Plenipotentiary who died by the bow string a short time after his return to Algiers. Two maiden ladies of this Parish who tasted exquisite felicity from his Prowess, dedicate this frail memorial to his loved memory'. Cf. BMSat 7935, &c."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Wonderful effects of a proclamation
Description:
Title from item., Artist tentatively identified as Henry Wigstead; see British Museum catalogue., Printmaker formerly identified as Rowlandson, but an attribution to F.G. Byron (Andrew Edmunds, February 2021) is noted in the British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: J,4.101., The listed publisher "Paddy Whack" probably stands for William Holland; see British Museum catalogue., Temporary local subject terms: Congregations -- Piety Proclamation, June 1, 1787., and Mounted to 30 x 46 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. by Paddy Whack, Oxford Street
Subject (Geographic):
England and London.
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Alvanley, Richard Pepper Arden, Baron, 1745-1804, Kenyon, Lloyd Kenyon, Baron, 1732-1802, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, Hanger, George, 1751?-1824, Salisbury, James Cecil, Marquess of, 1748-1823, Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Wilkes, John, 1725-1797, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Devonshire, Elizabeth Cavendish, Duchess of, 1758-1824, Gordon, Jane Gordon, Duchess of, 1748-1812, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, and Chapel Royal (Saint James's Palace, London, England),
Subject (Topic):
Interiors, Churches, Religious services, Pulpits, Pews, Dogs, Whips, Signs (Notices), and Windows
"A scene in the mouth of a cave with the sea in the background. The smuggler is Melville, in Highland dress, caught by Fox, Sheridan, and Whitbread, revenue officers wearing spurred top-boots. He kneels, with hands clasped, looking up at Whitbread (r.), who stands over him with a raised whip; he screams: "Marcy O' me wha can bear sick a lashing Indeed you shall ha it aw Gentlemen - ee'n to the last Baubee". Whitbread, his heavy lash inscribed 'Whitbreads Intire', answers: "Be quick then and dont trifle with us, we have got some more of your gang to look after!!" Fox (l.) is a spectator with his whip under his arm; he says: "I say lay it on well, remember he is an Old offender, we shall flog something out of him I am ready when you are tire'd." He stands by Sheridan, who holds Melville by the plaid, and raises a whip with a heavy lash inscribed 'Sherrys - Genuine - Stingo.' Sheridan says: "Aye! Aye! Whity and I will do his business, you are not quite active enough my Old friend - Come Sir where have you hid the rest of your Smuggled property?" In his pocket is a paper: 'The Forty Thieves desroy'd [sic] by . . .' On the extreme left., behind Fox, Pitt hastens forward with raised arms and alarmed expression; he exclaims: "O Lord! O Lord! what desperate hands my poor Friend has got into." In the middle distance (r.) Trotter, also in Highland dress, runs off to the right. with a large sack on his shoulders, inscribed 'Peculation Sack 50.000'; guineas fall from a rent in the sack. He looks over his shoulder, saying, "It will come to my turn Next so I'll trot off in time with this Triffle." On the ground (r.), by the rocky wall of the cave which borders the design, are a cask of 'Madeira' and three large sacks inscribed 'Peculation Sa[ck] 100.000'; 'Peculation Sack 50.000'; 'Peculation Sack 30.0 . . .' The uppermost of a bundle of cheque is inscribed 'Pay to m . Order the Sum of. . . '. "--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Printmaker and date from British Museum catalogue., 'Argus' is a pseudonym employed by printmaker Charles Williams., Temporary local subject terms: Scottish dress -- National stereotypes -- Robbers., and Mounted to 31 x 41 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. by C. Knight, Lambeth and sold at No. 7 Cornhill
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811, and Whitbread, Samuel, 1764-1815