"Folding frontispiece to "A Political Lecture on Heads, alias Blockheads!! A Characteristic Poem: . . .Drawn from Craniological Inspection, after the Manner of Doctors Gall and Spurzheim, of Vienna. By Don Juan Asmodeus. London. Printed for the Author, and Published by John Fairburn, 2, Broadway, Ludgate-Hill (Price One Shilling)." Ten half length caricature portraits arranged in two rows, and, except for the last two, in separate compartments, each illustrating a section of the verse-satire. The date is after Peterloo (16 August 1819), see British Museum Satires No. 13258, and before the King's death (29 Jan. 1820). [1] 'Derry-Down-Triangle', Castlereagh, with ass's ears, his head, adorned by a tiny gibbet, turned in profile to the left, holds up a scourge. On a scroll is the motto 'EIREN·GO·BRAY' (see British Museum Satires No. 13301). [2] 'State Jackal', Canning, directed to the left, holds a pistol in each hand. On his head is a triangle, bells hanging from its apex as from a fool's cap. Behind him is a package inscribed 'Lisbon 20.000 weight'. For his much-attacked mission to Lisbon see British Museum Satires No. 12872, for the duel with Castlereagh, British Museum Satires No. 11370, &c. [3] 'Quack Doctor' [cf. British Museum Satires No. 9849], Sidmouth, in profile to the left, holds a pike on which is speared a ball inscribed 'Circular Pills' [see British Museum Satires No. 13282, &c.]. On his head is a pestle and mortar inscribed 'Drugs for John Bull'. At his back is a large 'Bible' (like Liverpool he was an Evangelical). [4] 'Chancery Jack', the shoulders of Eldon, who scowls to the right, emerge from a 'Coal Tub' (as son of a Newcastle hoastman or coal-broker). He wears wig and gown, across his forehead is a bandage inscribed 'In Chancery'; from his mouth issues the word 'Equity'. [5] Liverpool, in profile to the left, spoons into his mouth liquid from a bowl of 'Water Gruel for the Poor' held in his left hand. On his head is a round tea-tray inscribed '£4.000'; on this are two cups and an urn inscribed 'Cordial Tea'. [6] 'Croaking-Frog--' Croker sits, pen in hand, in profile to the left; on his head is a frog. At his shoulder is a flag inscribed Dry . Rot . In . Navy' above two broken anchors. He says "Fal de Raltit," and before him is a paper: 'Talavira [sic] Algiers 2000'. He has an oddly shaped seat, resting his arm on a 'Quarterly Review', above a longer (curved) block inscribed 'Couriers'. (He was Secretary to the Admiralty, see British Museum Satires No. 12310, author of 'Talavera', a leading contributor to the 'Quarterly', and (with Arbuthnot) manager of the Press for the Ministry.) [7] 'Dunderass--' Lord Melville (First Lord of the Admiralty), in tartan, is in profile to the left, holding a pinch of snuff. Across his chest is a broad band: 'Pickings of Dad 60.000 [see British Museum Satires No. 10377, &c.] Place 10.000.' He wears a curious head-dress topped by a man-of-war surrounded by smoke. [8] 'Waterloo-Man--' Wellington, so styled by Hone, see British Museum Satires No. 13302, stands in profile to the left, wearing a cocked hat on which stands a cannon. He holds a dagger transfixing a bleeding heart; behind his back is a bundle inscribed 'Iquisition' [sic], across his chest is a placard: 'Coruption [sic] Prize . Money £60.000 Allowances £200.000 &c &c.' The text is a savage attack, e.g.: His soldiers 'sav'd the Spanish nation'; | Sav'd them--to send them to perdition | By 'Ferdinand's' crust [sic] 'Inquisition' [see British Museum Satires No. 13009] and (on Waterloo): The 'General' he'd not aught to do | But scenes of triumph to review [having lingered in Brussels]. For the campaign against pensions see British Museum Satires No. 12781, &c. [9 and 10] 'Chere-Amie', Lady Hertford in profile to the right, holds a sceptre and wears a crown-like coronet. She offers the Regent a large goblet of 'Noyau', saying, "Take another sup my Jewel. Grand-Lama--" The Regent leans back tipsily, his eyes almost closed. A little demon, holding a firebrand, flies towards him, flinging a noose at his head. See British Museum Satires No. 11853."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attribution to George and Robert Cruikshank from pencil annotation on the British Museum impression; see British Museum catalogue., Frontispiece to: Asmodeus, J. A political lecture on heads, alias blockheads!! A characteristic poem ... London : J. Fairburn, [1819], Approximate month of publication from the British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: 1865,1111.614., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Mounted to 58 x 39 cm., Mounted (with one other print) on leaf 53 in volume 1 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair.", and All figures except Lady Hertford (bottom row, second from the right) identified in ink beneath their respective caricatures. Typed key to the figures (with Lady Hertford misidentified as "Caroline") pasted above print.
Publisher:
John Fairburn
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Hertford, Isabella Anne Ingram-Seymour-Conway, Marchioness of, 1760-1834, Eldon, John Scott, Earl of, 1751-1838, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Canning, George, 1770-1827, Croker, John Wilson, 1780-1857, Melville, Robert Saunders Dundas, Viscount, 1771-1851, and Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852
Leaf 31. Caricatures drawn & etched by those celebrated artists Gillray, Rowlandson, Cruikshanks
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Abstract:
"A scene in the Royal yacht. George IV kneels at the feet of 'Lady Hell-fling-stone' who is seated (left), expressing delighted acceptance. The King wears Highland dress with a very short kilt and cavalry boots (see British Museum Satires No. 14220) on bare legs. His (Garter) star is centred by a heart. He has a love-sick expression, right hand on his heart, his feathered bonnet in his left hand. On an ornate altar-like table are decanters and glasses. Curtis, even more burlesqued than before, enters (right) carrying a tureen of steaming (turtle) soup. He is in Highland costume with spoon, knife, and fork in the belt that encircles his paunch; a double chain of sausages (cf. British Museum Satires No. 14389) hangs from his shoulders, and he wears a fool's cap."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Try-o between Geordie, a northern lassie, and Sir Willey, O!!
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to George Cruikshank in the British Museum catalogue., Restrike. For original issue of the plate, see no. 14398 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 10., Plate from: Caricatures drawn & etched by those celebrated artists Gillray, Rowlandson, Cruikshanks, &c. [London] : [Field & Tuer], [ca. 1868?], Cf. Cohn, A.M. George Cruikshank: a catalogue raisonné, 464., Cf. Reid, G.W. A descriptive catalogue of the works of George Cruikshank, 1092., and On leaf 31 of: Caricatures drawn & etched by those celebrated artists Gillray, Rowlandson, Cruikshanks, &c.
Publisher:
Published Octr. 10, 1822, by John Fairburn, Broadway, Ludgate Hill [i.e. Field & Tuer]
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Curtis, William, Sir, 1752-1829, Elphinstone, Janet, Lady, -1825, and Conyngham, Elizabeth Conyngham, Marchioness, -1861.
Subject (Topic):
Kilts, Pots & pans, Soups, Sausages, and Fools' caps