"Ministers and others, holding hands, caper in a ring round a pole to which are symmetrically attached the decollated heads of the Cato Street conspirators executed on 1 May, see British Museum Satires No. 13707, &c. Between Sidmouth and the smiling Castlereagh is a man wearing a black mask, and with a blood-stained knife in his mouth, perhaps one of the two who turned King's evidence. On the right, taking Castlereagh's left hand, is the Attorney-General, Gifford, grinning diabolically. Holding Sidmouth's left hand is Vansittart (in his gown). Facing these two are Canning and Chief Justice Abbott in his robes. Four others are poorly characterized. They dance to a fiddle played by Edwards who sits on a grassy mound (right), with an empty gibbet behind his head. He says: "Dance away my Friends, I have been the cause of all this fun by your Help and Money. "Edwards the Instigator!!!"."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Mounted to 58 x 39 cm., Mounted (with two other prints) on leaf 9 in volume 1 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair.", and With figures of "Sidmouth", "Londonderry", and "Gifford" identified in pencil below, the first two on mounting leaf and the last one in lower margin of print. Typed extract of twelve lines from the British Museum catalogue description is pasted opposite (on verso of preceding leaf).
Publisher:
Pubd. May 1820 by S.W. Fores, 41 Piccadilly, London
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Vansittart, Nicholas, 1766-1851, Canning, George, 1770-1827, Abbott, Charles, Baron Tenterden, 1762-1832, and Edwards, George, 1788-1843
Subject (Topic):
Cato Street Conspiracy, 1820, Politicians, May poles, Dance, Decapitations, Heads (Anatomy), Criminals, Masks, Knives, and Violins
"The Regent at the head of a table (left) on which are decanters and dessert, holds a consultation with five advisers. He sits on a dais, with his right leg thrown over an arm of his chair; the right arm over the back, spilling a glass of wine. He says jocosely: "Well my boys, I think now we shall succeed D--d fine evidence from the states of Barbary (if that cursed Hedgehog dont get hold of it; the very man that says he acted as Accoucheur I have got over every thing as clear as the Sun at noon day, I knew what fellows those Turks were, only once get her over there & the thing was accomplished,--now for a divorce as soon as possible, I have a tit bit in my eye, & if I dont yet get a son, say that I am not a chip of the old Block!!" At his right sits Castlereagh, with the Prince's feathers and motto on the back of his chair. He turns his head in profile, saying, "I'm an unmatched negociator [see British Museum Satires No. 12501] and I'll enter into a treaty with the House of commons to secure your suit." In his pocket is a paper: 'Negociat . . with the'. Lord Eldon faces Castlereagh; he wears his Chancellor's wig and gown; the Purse of the Great Seal hangs on the wall behind him. He says: "I'll stick to your highness through thick and thin or never call me Old Bags again as long as I live!!" At the foot of the table sits Ellenborough, in wig and gown, towards whom the other two members of the Cabinet turn in alarm. Liverpool (a poor portrait) sitting opposite Vansittart, says: "I have my doubts and qualms of conscience your highness what say you, Van?" Vansittart, in his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown: "Oh my Lord I have some strange touches of feeling on the subject!" He sits on a sack inscribed 'Budget'; from a rent in it projects a paper: 'to . . . 6.000000'. Ellenborough shakes his fist at Vansittart, rising from his chair which overturns: "Dont put me in a passion with your qualms and your touches, they are all "false, false as Hell" I'll blow you all to the D--l if you dont stick to your Master manfully!!" On the floor beside him lie three large volumes, 'Law of Divorce [Vol. I]. Vol III, Vol II.' Behind the Regent hangs a portrait with the feet only showing: '[Hen]ry VIII'. Beside him are a full wine-cooler, with empty bottles lying by it, and an open book: 'The Secret Memoirs of a Prince By Humphry Hedgehog Esqr 1810' [or 1816]."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Reissue, with date removed from imprint statement, of a print originally published 1 October 1816 as a plate to: The Scourge and satyrist, or, Literary, theatrical and miscellaneous magazine. For the earlier state, see No. 12808 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 9., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., 1 print : etching ; plate mark 24.6 x 35 cm, on sheet 25 x 35.5 cm., Printed on wove paper; hand-colored., Mounted to 58 x 39 cm., Mounted on leaf 21 in volume 1 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair.", and Figures of "Eldon," "Castlereagh," "Liverpool," "Vansittart," and "Ellenborough" identified in black ink above title; date "June 1820" written in lower right corner.
Publisher:
Pubd. by Johnston, 98 Cheapside
Subject (Geographic):
England.
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821., George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Henry VIII, King of England, 1491-1547., Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Vansittart, Nicholas, 1766-1851, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, and Eldon, John Scott, Earl of, 1751-1838
Subject (Topic):
Politicians, Divorce, Tables, Chairs, Podiums, Wine, Bottles, and Books
