Sir Francis Burdett, holding copies of the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights, is arrested by the Speaker of the House of Commons (who calls Britannia a 'blank eyed b-h'). Britannia stands, hands clasped in supplication, her lion by her side. Burdett argued in the House of Commons against the imprisonment of the radical John Gale Jones. Failing to have Jones released, Burdett issued a revised edition of his speech in the Weekly Register, an action which the House voted a breach of privilege. The Speaker issued a warrant for Burdett's arrest and he was taken by soldiers from the Commons to the Tower of London, where he remained until the next Parliamentary recess
Description:
Title from item., Possibly by Thomas Rowlandson?, and Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 11th, 1810, by T. Tegg, 111 Cheapside
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Burdett, Francis, 1770-1844 and Jones, John Gale, 1769-1838.
"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,