"Ministers and others strike at a shuttlecock above their heads inscribed 'Speakers Warrant'; among the feathers sits a little man holding a crowned staff; he says: "Curse this game I dont Like it I never experienced Such boning about in my life, I wonder when you will have done"; he is Colman the Serjeant-at-Arms. Eldon, in his Chancellor's wig and gown and holding the Purse of the Great Seal, is the centre of a close group; he says: "Dont knock it here we have not power to Strike it". Perceval, in back view, wears his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown and holds a document inscribed 'Majority'; he says: "Curse the thing I wish I had never Seen it away with it". A second judge whose head is partly visible behind Eldon is probably Ellenborough. On the right is Gibbs, holding a paper inscribed 'Attorn[ey Gen]eral'. He says: "D-n it Ill hit it as Hard as I can tho I'm almost afraid to meddle with it". There are two others in the group, one is silent, the other resembles Canning (not in the Ministry); he says: "Sure honey Right or wrong I always stick to the Strongest Side so do let me have a Slap at it". The sturdiest striker stands in back view on the left, with a paper inscribed 'Read Bow Street' projecting from his pocket; he says: "I cant Read it Die Veneris! why its Spanish to me we dont understand Them there warrants". On the extreme left stands the Speaker, Abbot, with a bat inscribed 'Double'; he says: "Dont Strike it to me again Ill have nothing more to do with it I've sent it to Bow Street". The bats used are not the usual long-handled battledores as (e.g.) in British Museum Satires No. 9716, but short-handled wooden bats. Above the design: 'NB The Feathers of the Shuttle Cock were pluked [sic] from a Sumersetshire Goose' [Lethbridge, see British Museum satires no. 11538]."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
New game of shuttlecock as played by his Majesty's servants for the amusement of John Bull
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Watermark.
Publisher:
Pub. 22 Apl. 1810 by Fores, Picadilli [sic]
Subject (Name):
Colman, Francis John, Eldon, John Scott, Earl of, 1751-1838, Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, Gibbs, Vicary, Sir, 1751-1820, Canning, George, 1770-1827, Abbot, Charles, Baron Colchester, 1757-1829, and Lethbridge, Thomas Buckler, 1778-1849.
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Badminton, and Games
"Burdett, wearing armour, attacks a seven-headed monster, which guards the gate of the Treasury, a heavy door in a stone arch (left). On his shield is a St. George's Cross inscribed 'Bill of Rights' and 'Magna Charta'; at his feet is the word 'Independance' [cf. British Museum Satires No. 10732]. He says: "I will Stand up for the Rights of the People Or Perish in the Attempt". The monster has a scaly body, webbed and barbed wings, a barbed tail, and fierce talons; its seven serpent-like necks, terminating in human heads, are encircled by a collar inscribed 'Coruption' [in reversed characters). All spit at Burdett, three emit words: Perceval says: "I Perceive what hes Doing"; Croker says: "I begin to Croke"; a third, Lethbridge (identified by his words), says: "Bless me He makes my Hair stand on End like the Quills upon the fretfull Porcupine". His hair is standing up, and is flanked by two locks which suggest ass's ears. A profile resembles Windham; one head may be presumed to represent Yorke. Under the feet of the monster are three torn papers: 'Act of Habeas Corpus', 'Compact between the King and the People', 'Petition of Right'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from the British Museum catalogue., Variant state, with year "1810" etched at end of publication line. Cf. No. 11538 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Watermark: Ruse & Turners 1805., and Lightly printed digit "0" of "1810" in publication line has been written over in brown ink.
Publisher:
Pub. 6th of April by Fores, 50 Picadilli [sic]
Subject (Name):
Jones, Gale., Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Windham, William, 1750-1810, Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812, Croker, John Wilson, 1780-1857, Lethbridge, Thomas Buckler, 1778-1849, Yorke, Charles Philip, 1764-1834, and George, Saint, -303.
