"The King and Queen are tied together back to back, by a ribbon inscribed 'The Matrimonial Knot. Keep thee only.. unto her, so long as ye both shall live.' The Queen (left), richly dressed and with three feathers in her hair, stands looking towards Justice, who takes her right hand. She says, her hand on her breast, "Nothing but death shall e'er divorce my dignities" ['Henry VIII', III. i]. Justice stands among clouds; she says: "Your exemplary conduct is worthy imitation, as during your husband's ill treatment every effort you exerted to reclaim him, which failing, the world must approve your seeking refuge in the wholesome and protecting laws of your country.--I will be your guide." Brougham stands on the extreme left, poorly characterized but holding a rolled document inscribed 'To Mr Brougham'; he says: "Let slanderous tounges [sic] say what they will they are "Trifles light as air" ['Othello', III. iii] for "She is every inch a Queen." [Adapted from 'Lear', IV. vi]." The King leans against the bond that joins them, straining hard to break it; he puts his hands on the shoulders of Castlereagh who holds him round the waist, the first of a chain of three who pull hard to help him to break loose. The King: "Heigho! how to get un-married; thats the question! There is but little trouble in tying the knot, but your quizzes of the cloth draw it so d----nd tight, Pull away Derry, Pull away Deary Pull away Doctor." Sidmouth tugs at Lady Hertford (or Conyngham) whose arms are round Castlereagh. Castlereagh answers: "If we could entice that blind Lady from her, we might do some good." Sidmouth: "A long pull and a Strong pull and a pull alltogether.""--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
How to get unmarried
Description:
Title etched below image., Month of publication from the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., "Turn over-"--Lower right margin., and Mounted on page 21 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Pubd. by J.L. Marks, No. 2 Sandy's Row, Bishopsgate
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, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Brougham and Vaux, Henry Brougham, Baron, 1778-1868, Conyngham, Elizabeth Conyngham, Marchioness, -1861, and Hertford, Isabella Anne Ingram-Seymour-Conway, Marchioness of, 1760-1834
"A big cauldron rests on the bent backs of Wellington (left), supporting himself on his sword, Sidmouth, knock-kneed and holding a clyster-pipe, and Castlereagh (right), dandified and bland. From their mouths floats a scroll inscribed: "O is not this a Dainty Dish to set before a King." They are on a much smaller scale than the cooks, who stand one on each side, stirring the brew. One (left) is fashionably dressed, and stalwart, with brown complexion and negroid hair. He holds a green bag inscribed 'Rakings of Italy' and uses a spoon. A winged demon whispers in his ear: "Never mind the dirty work my boy it won't spoil your Complexion." He says: "It wants more seasoning master Cook." The other, pale and emaciated, and wearing barrister's wig and bands, stands on a large dispatch-box in order to reach the pot; this is inscribed 'G.R Milan Commission'. He stirs with a rolled document, and answers: "Indeed Mungo it must be warmer to be relished." Behind him and clutching his shoulder stands a large Devil, who says: "This beats the black Broth of Satan." The steam from the pot forms a background for a large fantastic face or mask, George IV, saying: "The Odour of this Cookery is exquisite! How Invigorating!! How Reviving!""--British Museum online catalogue and "A satire on the Milan Commission, instructed by Leach in 1818 to go abroad to procure evidence against the Princess of Wales, its report to the Cabinet in July 1819 forming the contents of the Green Bags, see British Museum Satires No. 13735. The barrister is William Cooke, his companion is his assistant, Lt.-Col. Browne (residing in Milan): Mungo (from Bickerstaffe's comic opera 'The Padlock') was a generic term for a negro, the name also implying one who does dirty jobs, cf. British Museum Satires No. 5030. There was also a solicitor, Powell, called 'the Rat' because he had acted for Burdett in election business. See British Museum Satires No. 10708 and 'Examiner', 1820, p. 540. ..."--Curator's comments, British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Mounted on page 24 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Pubd. July 1820 by Benbow, St. Clements Church Yd., Strand
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, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852, Cooke, William, 1757-1832, and Browne, Thomas Henry, active 1820
Subject (Topic):
Politicians, Cauldrons, Daggers & swords, Medical equipment & supplies, Cooks, Cookery, Cooking utensils, Demons, Devil, Documents, Boxes, and Bags