"John Bull, a fat 'cit', is seated beside a writing-table (right) holding up a large book. On the left hand page is inscribed 'Vote of Thanks respecting the Expedition to Copenhagen'; John's pen rests on the last word, but he turns in horror to gaze at the ghosts of (left to right) Fox, Pitt, and Burke. These wear shrouds and stand on clouds; all point a menacing forefinger. Fox says: "Erase those lines from your Journal"; Pitt and Burke say "Erase". Burke wears spectacles and a Jesuit's biretta (cf. British Museum Satires No. 6026), and holds a large book inscribed 'Sublime & Beautiful' [cf., e.g., British Museum Satires No. 6361]. John wears glasses, his hair rises on his head, pushing up his ill-fitting wig. He says: "Why dont you come then and transact the business yourselves? - it is impossible I can please every body. - it is come to such a pitch now that I have no peace either with the living or the dead!!!""--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Spectres visiting John Bull
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., and Sheet trimmed to plate mark leaving thread margins.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 23, 1808, by Walker, No. 7 Cornhill
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain and Denmark.
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, and Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797
Subject (Topic):
Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815, Foreign relations, John Bull (Symbolic character), Ghosts, and Writing materials
"Diogenes stands in the House of Commons between the two front benches; both arms are thrown out towards Burdett with a dramatic gesture; in one hand is his lantern, illuminating the patriot at close range; small clouds at his feet indicate that he is a ghost. He turns his head to look steadily at three members on the front Ministerial bench (left), saying: "An Honest Man is the noblest work of God" [Pope, 'Essay on Man', quoted by Burns, cf. British Museum Satires No. 11562]. The three culprits (unrecognizable) register shame and terror, their hair standing on end. Burdett stands by the front bench (right) on which is his hat, displaying to the frightened Ministers (one intended for Perceval) a document headed 'Magna Charta--Pro Rege, lege, grege' [see British Museum Satires No. 11547]. Except for one member on the front bench, those behind Burdett stand, five being depicted, three of whom wave their hats. All the occupants of the gallery wave still more emphatically. In the background and on the left is the Speaker's Chair; the diminutive Abbot, author of the famous Warrant, see British Museum Satires No. 11545, &c., holds up a hand in astonished alarm. Burdett was in the Tower during May, see British Museum Satires No. 11558. 'Hair on end' is an allusion to Lethbridge, see British Museum Satires No. 11538."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Ghost of Diogenes, more hair on end
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Lettered above image: Tegg's Caricatures, No. 111 Cheapside, no. 13. Price one shillg. colod., and Text below title: Diogenes being observed looking about with a lanthorn alight a noon day, was asked what he was hunting after when he replied, for an honest man.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 1810 by T. Tegg, 111 Cheapside
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Diogenes, -approximately 323 B.C., Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844, Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812, Abbot, Charles, Baron Colchester, 1757-1829, Lethbridge, Thomas Buckler, 1778-1849., and Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons,
