"Two adjacent designs: on the left Sheridan drink-sodden and blear-eyed, stoops obsequiously, right hand on heart, hat held low, directed to the right. He says, slyly, "Gentlemen, it is with the most unfeigned submission I present myself to Your Notice, most Humbly requesting your kind suffrages to return me (although unworthy) one of Your representatives for the great City of Westminster, and when I consider whom I succeed, I cannot but sincerly [sic] deplore his loss, but much more so my inadequacy to fill his place, and can only most solemnly promise to exert the utmost of my poor abilities to keep my place." On the right Sheridan with legs astride, hands thrust in his breeches pocket, hat on his head, still drink-sodden and sly, but more alert, says, looking to the left: "Electors, I feel a satisfaction in my own bosom (which I cannot refrain from expressing,) that my transcendant Merit fully entitle me to be chosen your representative, and that you have barely done yourselves justice in returnig [sic] me, why you must have been cursed fools if you had not, & as to that Mr Paul & Mr Cobbett, their speeches are so ungentlemanlike that I do not think it worth my while to answer them, why the fellows say I get drunk one half the day, & lie in bed the other, I dont chuse to answer that, they say I don't pay my Debts Fools! what did I want to get into Parliament for, they say I have never signed those measures since I have been in administration which I so strongly declared necessary while out of Office, this shews their Ignorance! why should I propose reform now when all my Friends have got to be served.""--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Canvassing candidate
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed to plate mark on top edge., Window mounted to 36 x 51 cm., and Mounted opposite page 621 (leaf numbered '58' in pencil) in volume 4 of an extra-illustrated copy of: Moore, T. Memoirs of the life of the Right Honourable Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Publisher:
Pubd. Decr. 1806 by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Cobbett, William, 1763-1835., Paull, James, 1770-1808., and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816.
"Ministers recline on a large low platform, representing a magnificent state bed, which is completely covered with roses. It recedes in perspective from left to right. On the left is Fox, looking sourly over his left shoulder at his neighbour, Sheridan, to say: "This is the most uncomfortable bed I was ever on in my Life and not the least like a bed of Roses - Zound!! what a thorn is running into me - Oh that Bramble - Sherry my Dear how do you find it - ". Sheridan answers: "My dear Charley, I have not had a wink since I have been on it, - curse that Castle man what did he mean by his bed of roses - I am as sore from the tip of my Nose, to the tip of my Toe - as if I had been roling on a quick set-hedge - or stung to death by a swarm of bees at a Hampshire Farmers [an allusion to Cobbett's pen]". Behind Fox, and in profile to the left, Moira, in uniform, with cocked hat and jack-boots, sits up, very erect; he says: "What are Cannons or Bombs or clashing of swords, compared to the pain I endure." Windham, next Sheridan, registering melancholy, says: "I feel more uneasy than if the whole Volunteer force was upon me." Ellenborough, behind Sheridan and Windham, ill-temperedly puts his hand to his wig. Erskine, also in wig and gown, reclines as if exhausted, his eyes closed, his attitude characteristic of his notorious fainting in court (see British Museum Satires No. 7956). He and Grey (Lord Howick from 11 Apr.), who sits behind him, are in profile to the right; the latter says: "It is just such a bed, as I expected the late bungling bed makers would leave us." On the extreme right little Lord Henry Petty (wearing his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown) sits up, angrily holding above his head two handfuls of thorn-branches. He says: "I shall never have done clearing the brambles and Nettles from this Bed, my Budget would not hold one half of them." The low frame of the bed is carved and has a valance of fringed and festooned draperies. At the head are the Royal Arms; looped curtains are suspended above it."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., and Mounted on linen and formerly sewn in an album with only the holes remaining on left edge.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 1806 by Walker, 7 Cornhill
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Hastings, Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of, 1754-1826, Erskine, Thomas Erskine, Baron, 1750-1823, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Lansdowne, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of, 1780-1863, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822., and Cobbett, William, 1763-1835.
Subject (Topic):
Politics and government, Beds, Roses, and Draperies