One of many satires on the morganatic marriage of George IV and Mrs. Fitzherbert. on the left Mrs. Fitzherbert as Dido sits on a funeral pyre made up of phallic-shaped logs and watches the Prince of Wales sail away in a small boat whose flag is inscribed with the word 'Windsor' [Castle]. The wind which fills the ragged sail of the boat appears to be produced by a blast from the mouths of Dundas and Pitt, whose profile heads are on the extreme left. It is directed at Dido's head, and has blown off a royal crown, an orb and sceptre, and a coronet decorated with the Prince of Wales's feathers. With a tragic gesture she holds out in her right hand a mutilated crucifix. Her breast is bare and her girdle of 'Chastity' is broken. At her feet lie emblems of Popery: a sharp-toothed harrow inscribed 'For the conversion of Heretics', shackles, a pair of birch-rods, an axe, a scourge, and a rosary and crucifix. The pyre seems to be made of money-bags. The boat is the 'Honor'; the Prince is seated between Fox, who holds the tiller, and Burke, who holds the sail; his arms are folded and he looks over his shoulder at Fox, saying, "I never saw her in my Life". Fox echoes "No, never in all his Life, Damme"; Burke, wearing a Jesuit's biretta, says "Never", and North, who sits beside him, apparently asleep, says "No, never". After the title is engraved: 'Sic transit gloria Reginae' (pardoy of "Sic transit gloria mundi"). See British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Gillray in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and 1 print : etching with stipple, hand-colored, on laid paper ; sheet 274 x 371 mm.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 21st, 1787, by S.W. Fores, Piccadilly, London
Subject (Name):
Virgil., George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, and Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811
Title from first line of text., Printed handbill with ornamental border soliciting funds and warning against persons who "go about with intent to defraud us and impose upon you ... ", and For further information, consult library staff.