"The King's head, framed in wig and whiskers, appears above a huge green bag (see British Museum Satires No. 13735) which he is holding up in both hands to shake out the contents, five ragamuffins, who fall out head first. Bag and King are supported by the bent backs of Castlereagh (left) and Sidmouth (right), the King's toe resting on a shoulder of each. The bag is inscribed in large letters: 'Respectable Witnesses for the [a large crown is depicted] against the Q--n.' It is labelled: 'To Dr Circular [see British Museum Satires No. 13282], Ld Triangle [see British Museum Satires No. 14135] & C° London.' The King says: "My hopes and prospects, depend, upon the very doubtful, veracity, of these Six Italians!" Castlereagh: "Friend Sid--we must make Barons of these six Italian Allies to make their evidence, appear stronger!" Sidmouth: "Ah! My worthy Colleague, and your Lordship knows, we must dress them up, at the Public expence, for at present, I never see, such Ragged Rascals!" On the ground by Castlereagh are a scourge, and a document: 'Bill of Pains and Penalties' [see British Museum Satires No. 13825]; other papers: 'Secret Service Money £10.000 for each Witness' and 'Queen's Petition to the Lords'. In the background (left) are the masts and sails of a ship. Below the design: 'Dover, Friday, July 7, 1820. This Morning Six of the Italian Allies arrived. The good people of this town flocked to see them. They were escorted by an Austrian Agent, and a Milan Attorney. Such a set of ragged Rascals never were seen before. Such Wretches as go about with dancing dogs and monkeys, white mice, tame snakes, and land-turtles. The Magistrates got a guard of Constables to protect them, for fear the people should fling them into the sea. They were kept guarded till two coaches were brought to put them into. They were then driven off amidst the hisses, cries, and yells, of the men, women, and chrildren [sic], of this humane, loyal, and public-spirited Town. They seemed frightened out of their wits at this honest expression of the feelings of the People. Who is to Pay for bringing over, feeding, cloathing, and Rewarding these Wretches!!!'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from text below image., Printmaker's name in statement of responsibility in the form of a monogrammatic device formed by the letters "SV" followed by a depiction of an owl and the letters "es"., Window mounted to 34 x 23.8 cm, the whole then mounted to 58 x 39 cm., Mounted on leaf 97 in volume 2 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair.", and Figures of "Londondery [sic]" and "Sidmouth" identified in ink below image, on window mount; date "11 July 1820" written in lower right corner of window mount. Typed extract of four lines from the British Museum catalogue description is pasted beneath print.
Publisher:
Pubd. July 12, 1820, by J. Carlile, 55 Fleet Street
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, and Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844
"The Queen, not caricatured, sits regally in an armchair beside an ornate marble and gilt table, on which are dishes of fruit. Next her is a dish of pears. She holds a (bitten) pear near her mouth; in her left hand is a rolled document inscribed 'Defence' from which hang two pears on a forked twig. She says meditatively: "I do love these Pears! but I hate the English Pairs* [peers]." Above her is looped a heavy fringed curtain. The 'trial', see British Museum Satires No. 13825, is assumed to be proceeding badly for the Queen. Cf. in British Museum Satires No. 13900 the contrary assumption. For the Queen and Bergami see (e.g.) British Museum Satires No. 13731. Fruit-sellers in London cried 'Bergami pears and Caroline Apples'. 'Letters of Countess Granville', 1894, i. 172."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state
Alternative Title:
Choice fruit!!
Description:
Title etched below image., Later state, with alternative title etched on plate. For an earlier state with this alternative title in manuscript only, see no. 13869 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 10., Approximate date of publication from watermark., Publication date of 1 October 1820 is noted in the British Museum catalogue entry for an earlier state., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Watermark: Weatherley & Lane 1820., Mounted to 58 x 39 cm., Mounted on leaf 88 in volume 2 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair.", and Figure of "Q. Caroline" identified in ink below image; date "1821" written beneath lower right corner of image. Typed extract of one line from the British Museum catalogue description is pasted below print.
Publisher:
Pubd. by S.W. Fores, Piccadilly No. 41
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821 and Bergami, Bartolomeo Bergami, Baron.
Subject (Topic):
Queens, Adultery, Fruit, Pears, Tables, Documents, and Draperies
"The Queen stands full face, at the base of a pillar (right), holding up a scroll: 'Firm in my Innocence and secure of my Peoples Love, I smile at my Enemies impotent attempts to injure me, And Ride Secure Amid The Storm.' In her left hand is a rolled document: 'Defence'. She wears a feathered hat and an ermine-bordered robe over her dress. The pillar, part only being within the design, is wreathed with olive alternately with bands on each curve of which is inscribed one of the places making addresses to her: 'City of Londo[n]', 'City of West[minster]', 'Southwar[k]', 'County of Midd[lesex]'. On the base is an irradiated sun in a laurel wreath. Beside the Queen (left) is a pile of cylindrical documents, each inscribed 'Address'. The Royal Standard hangs behind her head, its staff projecting from behind the pillar."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from text below image., Initial letters of printmaker's name in signature form a monogram., Mounted to 58 x 39 cm., Mounted on leaf 13 in volume 2 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair.", and Date "6 Nov. 1820" written in ink in lower right corner. Typed extract of nine lines from the British Museum catalogue description is pasted beneath print.
Publisher:
Pubd. Novr. 6, 1820, by Hodgson, 43, King Stt., Snow Hill, London
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821
