"The Regent, as Macheath, wearing military uniform and heavily shackled, stands between Mrs. Fitzherbert, who kneels at his feet (left) removing his leg-irons, and Lady Hertford (right), who stands beside him taking the fetters from his wrists (inscribed 'Restri[ctions]'), He sings "How happy could I be with either." Mrs. Fitzherbert, a long rosary dangling from her waist, says: "The Benediction of His Holiness light on the Defender of Our Faith." Lady Hertford, sultana-like in a jewelled turban, says: "You heard of the Row & the Rowly Powly Song before Our house the Other Night?!!" Behind and on the right Eldon stands full-face between Perceval and McMahon, who face each other in profile. Perceval, in his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown, and holding a brief-bag, says: "The Greys won't move without their own Coachman tho the Brewer [Whitbread] has offerd his black to do the dirty Work." Eldon, in a huge wig, holds the Purse of the Great Seal; he says: "We must hire Jobs for the Night Work but we are Pro' Rogued." McMahon, in military uniform, has a number of ribbons and stars hanging over his arm; he says: "These Garters & Ribbonds are all returned." On the wall are two pictures: George Hanger, bestriding his pony (as in No. 8889) with a burly bailiff seated behind him, rides in the direction of a sign-post, with a noose hanging from it, pointing 'To the Kings Bench'. This is 'George & his Hanger On, takeing a ride together to a Lodging in Surry'. The other is Sheridan as Bacchus, but dressed as Harlequin (cf. British Museum Satires No. 9916), bestriding a cask of 'Old Sherry'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Polly & Lucy taking off the restrictions, Polly and Lucy takeing off the restrictions, and Polly and Lucy taking off the restrictions
Description:
Title etched below image. and Watermark: J. Whatman.
Publisher:
Published March 1812 by J. Jonhston, 98 Cheapside
Subject (Name):
Gay, John, 1685-1732., George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Hertford, Isabella Anne Ingram-Seymour-Conway, Marchioness of, 1760-1834, Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837, Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812, Eldon, John Scott, Earl of, 1751-1838, McMahon, John, approximately 1754-1817, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Hanger, George, 1751?-1824, Grey, Charles Grey, Earl, 1764-1845., Whitbread, Samuel, 1764-1815., and Dionysus (Greek deity),
Subject (Topic):
Harlequin (Fictitious character), Military uniforms, British, Shackles, Religious articles, Turbans, Wigs, Bags, and Pictures
Two stout ladies, dressed in long gowns, confront each other. Mrs. Fitzherbert (left) with her second the Prince of Wales faces in a confident manner the scowling and clumsy Mrs. Schwellenberg whose second, Pitt offers her a lemon. The furious German woman holds a massive sceptre in both her hands raised above her head ready to strick her opponent. All the figures have speech bubbles above their heads referencing the rights of the people, the Prince's morganatic marriage, Catholics, and the issue of money going to Germany
Alternative Title:
Political heat for Rege & Grege and Political heat for Rege and Grege
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Later state with the Prince's speech censored., Temporary local subject terms: Morganatic marriages: Prince of Wales's to Mrs. Fitzherbert -- Ficticious duels: Mrs. Fitzherbert and Mrs. Schwellenberg -- Allusion to Regency crisis, 1788 -- Lemons -- Literature: travesty of Nathaniel Lee's The rival queens., Watermark: Portal & Bridges., and Mounted to 27 x 38 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby 1, 1789, by S.W. Fores, N. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Lee, Nathaniel, 1653?-1692., George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837, and Schwellenberg, Elizabeth Juliana, ca 1728-1797
Subject (Topic):
Marriage, Regency, Censorship, Crucifixes, Fighting, Lemons, Royal marriages, British, and Scepters