"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.
"Members of the Opposition, arranged in two horizontal rows, receive the news of Aboukir. [1] In the upper left corner Burdett sits, directed to the right, intently reading the 'Extraordinary Gazette' on 'Nelson's Victory'; his shock of hair covers his eyes, and he says, left hand raised in alarm: "sure I cannot see clear?" On the wall (left) is a print, a profile head of 'Buonaparte'. [2] Jekyll stands beside Lansdowne, who reclines in an arm-chair in dressing-gown and bonnet-rouge, a gouty leg resting on a cushion. He holds out a paper headed 'Captured IX French Ships of War'; under his arm is a paper: '2 Burnt'; he holds up two fingers. Lansdowne puts his hands over his ears, saying, "I can't hear! I can't hear." (For Jekyll and Lansdowne cf. BMSat 9179, &c.) [3] Bedford, sitting on a large treasure-chest, sourly tears in half a paper: 'complete Destruction of Buonaparte's Fleet - ', saying, "It's all a damn'd Lye". Behind his chest are padlocked sacks inscribed '£', indicating his wealth; on the wall hang jockey-cap, boots, and riding-whip. [4] Erskine lies back in his chair holding a smelling-bottle to his nose, from his dangling right hand have dropped papers: 'Capture of Buonaparte's Dispatches'. He says "I shall Faint, I.I.I." He sits by a table on which are writing-materials and 'Republican Briefs'. (For Erskine's fainting in court, and egotism, see BMSats 7956, 9246, &c.) [5] Norfolk sits in an arm-chair beside a table on which are signs of a debauch: overturned decanters and a candle guttering in its socket. Wine pours from his mouth and from a glass in his right hand. At his feet is a broken tobacco-pipe, in his left hand a paper: 'Nelson & the British Fleet'. He says "what a sickening Toast!" (cf. BMSat 9168, &c). [6 and 7] Tierney and Sheridan sit looking at each other across a table, Tierney (left) clutching his knee, on which lies a paper: 'End of the French Navy - Britannia Rules the Waves'. From his pocket issues a paper: 'End of the Irish Rebellion'. He says: "ah! our hopes are all lost". Sheridan, elbows on the table, his chin in his hands, says "I must lock up my Jaw!" Before him are papers: 'List of the Republican Ships Taken and Destroy[ed]'. [8] Fox, in the lower right corner, hangs by a noose, having just kicked a stool from under his feet; his crisped fingers have dropped a paper: 'Farewell to the Whig Club'. He says: "and I, - end with Éclat!" He wears a bonnet-rouge."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Good-news operating upon loyal-feelings
Description:
Title etched below image., Temporary local subject terms: Victories: reference to Nelson's victory in the battle of the Nile, 1 August 1798 -- Opposition -- Allusion to the Whig Club -- Furniture: chairs -- Spirits: port -- Glass: wine bottles -- Lighting: candlesticks -- Writing materials: ink stands -- Suicides -- Smelling salts -- Pictures amplifying subject: portrait of Buonaparte., and Mounted to 33 x 48 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. Octr. 3d, 1798, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. Jamess [sic] Street
Subject (Name):
Tierney, George, 1761-1830, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Bedford, Francis Russell, Duke of, 1765-1802, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Jekyll, Joseph, 1754-1837, and Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821
"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
"The interior of the House of Commons; the Speaker's chair and the table are in the foreground on the extreme left; only the Opposition benches are visible and are crowded with English sansculottes wearing bonnets-rouges who eagerly watch the denunciation of Pitt. Fox sits in the Speaker's chair, as the presiding judge, a bonnet-rouge pulled over the crown of his hat. Opposite (right), on a low platform surrounded by a rail, stands Pitt; a rope round his neck is held by Lauderdale who stands behind him on the extreme right with a headsman's axe in his left hand. In front of Pitt, leaning eagerly forward over the rail is Stanhope, gesticulating violently and holding out a large scroll: 'Charges. - Ist For opposing the Right of Subjects to dethrone their King. - 2d For opposing the Right of Sans-Culottes to Equalize Property, & to annihilate Nobility. 3d For opposing the Right of Free Men to extirpate the farce of Religion, & to divide the Estates of the Church.' Pitt, anxious and bewildered, his hands manacled, wearing only his shirt which has been torn from his shoulder, stands in profile to the left. Fox sits inscrutable, his clenched fists on the desk before him, a bell at his right hand, looking sideways at Pitt. Below him at the table are Erskine and Sheridan. Erskine, in wig and gown, as the accusing counsel, stands with outstretched hand pointing to Pitt and addressing the rabble on the benches. In his left hand is a paper headed 'Guillotine' and from his pocket protrudes a brief: 'Defence of Hardy' [see BMSat 8502]. Sheridan writes busily: 'Value of the Garde Meuble'. The books on the table are: 'Rights of Man' [see BMSat 7867, &c], 'Dr Price' [see BMSat 7629, &c], 'Dr Priestley' [see BMSat 7632, &c], 'Voltaire', 'Rosseau' [sic]. A large scroll hangs from the table: 'Decrees of the British Convention (ci devant Parliament) Man is, & shall be Free, therefore Man is, & shall be Equal. Man therefore has nor shall have Superior in Heaven or upon Earth.' On the ground the head of the mace projects from under the tablecloth. Beside the table (left) are five large money-bags inscribed: 'Treasury Cash to be issued in Assignats' and 'D° Cash for D°'. On the Speaker's chair, in place of the royal arms, is a tricolour shield with the motto 'Vive la République'. In the foreground, immediately in front of Pitt and Lauderdale, is an iron stove with an open door showing Magna Charta and Holy Bible burning. Holding their hands to the flames are Grafton (left) and Norfolk (right) facing each other; each sits on an inverted ducal coronet. Beside and behind Grafton sits Lord Derby. Slightly to the left and behind this group Lansdowne kneels, weighing in a pair of scales a weight, resembling a cap of liberty and inscribed 'Libertas', against a royal crown. The crown rests on the ground, Lansdowne tries to pull down the other scale. Beside the crown two large sacks stand on the floor inscribed 'For Duke's Place' and 'For D°' (the Jews of Duke's place were supposed to dispose of stolen plate, cf. BMSat 5468). From one protrudes the Prince of Wales's coronet and feathers, an earl's coronet and a Garter ribbon; from the other, a mitre and chalice. In the foreground lie a bundle of papers inscribed 'Forfeited Estates of Loyalists. Chatham, Mansfield, Grenville.' On the crowded benches a fat butcher is conspicuous, sitting arms akimbo. Near him are a hairdresser and a tailor in delighted conversation. A chimney-sweeper holds up brush and shovel, grinning delightedly. The faces register ferocity, anger, surprise, amusement, brutishness. In the back row, under the gallery, stand dissenting ministers wearing clerical bands."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Parliament reformed
Description:
Title etched below image., Text following title: Vide Carmagnol Expectations., Sheet partially trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Conventions: decrees of the British Convention -- Interiors: House of Commons -- English sansculottes -- Bonnets rouges -- Shields: tricolor shield -- Bags of money -- Magna Charta -- Holy Bible -- Opposition -- Coronets -- Ministers -- Maces -- Iron stoves.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 2d, 1795, by H. Humphrey, No. 37 New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Lansdowne, William Petty, Marquis of, 1737-1805, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Stanhope, Charles Stanhope, Earl, 1753-1816, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Grafton, Augustus Henry Fitzroy, Duke of, 1735-1811, Smith-Stanley, Edward, 1752-1834, and Lauderdale, James Maitland, Earl of, 1759-1839
"Fox (right) kneels in profile to the left, firing point-blank from a blunderbuss at a post which roughly suggests George III in back view: it is surmounted by a short wig and a hunting-cap decorated with the royal arms; round a protuberance simulating posteriors a circle is drawn with a bull's-eye at which Fox is firing. He is much caricatured, with large head and short fat legs; he wears a slouch hat with the inscription 'Ca-Ira', and has a pleased and sinister smile. Behind him Priestley (left) and Sheridan (right) face each other in profile with conspiratorial smiles. Sheridan is ramming the barrel of a pistol, saying, "Well! this new Game is delightful! - O Heavens! if I could but once Pop the Post!!! then you and me, - Dear Brother P, - Would sing with glee, - Full merrily Ca-ira! Ca-ira! Ca-ira!" Priestley holds out to him two books: "on the Glory of Revolution and on the Folly of Religion & Order", saying, "Here's plenty of Wadding for to ram down the Charge with, to give it force, & to make a loud Report.""--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Swedes practising at a post
Description:
Title from text in image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Allusion to the assassination of Gustavus III of Sweden, March 1792 -- Guns: blunderbuss -- Pistol -- Targets: George III as a shooting target -- Toadstools -- Arms: royal arms -- Literature: books by Joseph Priestley satirized -- Music: c̦a ira., and Watermark: Whatman.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 19th, 1792, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, and Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804
"Britannia, terrified, faint, and dishevelled sits on the ground supported by Addington and Hawkesbury, and defended by Sheridan, a Silenus-like and ragged Harlequin. They are on the coast towards which are advancing many rowing-boats filled with little French soldiers. Napoleon stands with drawn sword in the foremost boat, a tiny figure with a large head and no body, to show that he is Nobody, as in BMSat 5570, &c. The distant French coast (right) is covered with troops marching towards the shore. Clouds of smoke rise from the beach, which is concealed by the foreground. Britannia, wearing Roman dress with cothurnes, raises her arms, and shrieks (parodying Hamlet): "Doctors & Ministers of dis grace defend me!" The 'dis' is scored through but conspicuously legible. Addington holds a bottle of Gunpowder to her nose, and looks in alarm at the approaching army. He says: "Do not be alarm'd my dear lady! the Buggabo's (the Honest Gentlemen, I mean,) are avowedly directed to Colonial service, - they can have nothing to do Here - my Lady! - nothing to do with Us! - do take a Sniff or two, to raise your Spirits, and try to stand, if it is only upon One Leg!" Hawkesbury looks down with deep melancholy, supporting her (cracked) shield, and holding her (damaged) spear. He says: "Yes my Lady, you must try to Stand up, or we shall never be able to "March to Paris"". Sheridan holds Harlequin's wooden sword of 'Dramatic-Loyalty' in his right hand (cf. BMSat 9916). On his left arm is a shield with Medusa's head, the snaky locks inscribed: 'Abuse', 'Bouncing', 'Puffing', 'Detraction', 'Stolen Jests', 'Malevolence', 'Stale Wit', 'Envy'. He wears a hat turned up in front with a tricolour cockade; its crown is a fool's cap with two ears and a bell. Round his paunch is a tricolour sash through which is thrust a paper: 'Ways and Means to get a Living'. He shouts in defiance at the distant army: "Let 'em come! - dam'me!!! - where are the French Buggabo's? - single handed I'd beat forty of 'em!!! dam'me, I'd pay 'em like Renter Shares, sconce off their half Crowns!!! - mulct them out of their Benefits, & come ye Drury Lane Slang over 'em!" Behind, between Addington and Sheridan, is the head of Fox, holding his hat before his eyes; he says: "Dear me - what can be the reason of the Old Lady being awak'd in such a Fright? - I declare I can't see any thing of the Buggabo's!" In the foreground lies a long torn scroll, headed 'Treaty of Peace.'"--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Britannia recover'd from a trance and Britannia recovered from a trance
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Temporary local subject terms: Harlequins -- Britannia -- Literature: Parody of Hamlet by Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Medical: Smelling salts -- Weapons: Ammunition -- Gunpowder -- Sword -- Emblems: Britannia's shield -- Britannia's spear -- Shield with Medusa -- France: Threat of invasion -- Peace treaties., Mounted to 37 x 56 cm., and Collector's annotations on mount.
Publisher:
Publd. March 14th, 1803, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, and Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806
"Sheridan (left) and the Duke of Norfolk, bloated and senile, stagger tipsily on the pavement of St. James's Street, walking from the door of 'Brooks's' (right) which they have just left. Lamps light the façade of the club, part of which is visible with three (lighted) windows on the first floor. Sheridan holds the Duke's right arm, and raises his right fist in a rhetorical gesture, saying, "And now, have at the Ministry, Damme!"; in his pocket are papers: 'Motions for to Badger Ministry'. The Duke says: "and Now for the Majesty of the People!" From his coat-pocket projects a bottle of 'Port'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Text below title, in lower right: Three o'clock & a cloudy morning., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Mounted to 41 x 29.5 cm.
Publisher:
Publish'd Feby. 1st, 1809, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816 and Norfolk, Charles Howard, Duke of, 1746-1815
"Sheridan stands on the stage dressed as Pizarro (played by Barrymore), gloating over guineas with which his helmet is filled. On the right is a flat consisting of a palm-tree with golden fruit, on the left columns wreathed with roses and decorated with theatrical emblems: tragic masks and spirals of cupids who blow Fame's trumpet, each holding a placard: 'Oracle Puff p ..'; 'Morning Chronicle Puff Puff Puff'; 'Morning Herald Puff' [&c, &c]; 'Courier' [&c, &c, cf. BMSat 9194]; 'Times' [&c, &c.]. In the background is mountain scenery with the mouth of the cave. Below the title: "Honor? Reputation? a mere Bubble! - will the praises of posterity charm my bones in the Grave? - 'psha! - my present \ "purpose is all! - O, Gold! Gold! for thee, I would sell my native Spain, as freely as I would plunder Peru.""--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Literature: Pizarro by Richard Brinsley Sheridan -- Theatres: scenery on stage -- Drury Lane Theatre -- Theatrical costume: Spanish don -- Theatrical emblems -- Puffs -- Money: guineas -- Newspapers: Morning Chronicle -- Morning Herald -- Times -- Courier.
Publisher:
Pubd. June 4th, 1799, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
"In a small space between the House Commons (left) and a rustic alehouse (right) Lord Temple and Lord Camelford play battledore and shuttlecock with the head (the features as in BMSat 9200) of Horne Tooke. In this are stuck feathers, five inscribed respectively: 'Deceit, Vanity, Jacobinism, New Morality [cf. BMSat 9240], Envy'. From the neck hang (torn) clerical bands. Camelford in back view, 'profil perdu', wears a rakish hat with curved brim (as in BMSat 9699), a naval officer's coat with sailor's striped trousers, and buckled shoes; from his coat pocket issues a paper: 'Effusion of Loyalty'. He says: "There's a Stroke for you, Messmate! and, if you kick him back, I'll return him again, dam'me! - if I should be sent on a cruise to Moorfields [i.e. Bedlam], for it! - go it, Coz:" Temple, a stout country gentleman, scarcely caricatured, wearing a stiff round hat, prepares to return the stroke vigorously, left fist clenched; he says: "Send him back? - yes, I'll send him back Twenty Thousand times, before such a high flying Jacobin-Shuttlecock shall pearch [sic] it here, in his Clerical band." Both play vigorously with legs astride. Through the wide doorway behind him, inscribed 'St Steevens', is seen the Opposition side of the House of Commons densely packed, the Speaker just visible in his chair, the Clerk staring apprehensively. All the (tiny) members wave red caps to cheer their champion, shouting "The Church for Ever, [?] dem[me]". Sheridan and Fox only are characterized. The alehouse is a primitive thatched building with the chequers sign. On it are two placards: 'The Old Sarum Electors', five pigs in a sty eating from a trough. Below: 'The House of Call for Independent Members'. Against the building are a rustic table and bench. On the ground by Camelford is a 'List of Candidates for Old Sarum, J. H. Tooke, Black Dick [it was reported, though denied by Camelford, that he had declared his intention of returning his black servant if Tooke's election should be annulled], Thelwall' [see vol. vii]. In the background between the buildings is seen a small ruinous village, representing Old Sarum, with a bare, decayed tree."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Old Brentford shuttlecock between Old-Sarum & the Temple of St. Steevens
Description:
Title from text in lower part of image., Mounted to 37 x 56 cm., Collector's annotations on mount., and Identifications in contemporary hand written below plate.
Publisher:
Publish'd March 15th, 1801, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos, Duke of, 1776-1839, Pitt, Thomas, Baron Camelford, 1775-1804, Tooke, John Horne, 1736-1812, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816