Vansittart and Castlereagh, as surgeons, bleeding coins from the arms of John Bull. The coins are collected by Prince Leopold, Princess Charlotte, a tiny McMahon, a Chinese mandarin, and the gouty Regent. Brougham, stands on the left, pointing finger at John Bull, saying, "Retrench! Johnny, Retrench! practise [sic] a little more Economy." and "John Bull sits foursquare in an arm-chair, between two surgeons, his arms extended horizontally and supported by the vertical poles which he clutches; these are spirally striped, like the barber's pole, and are such as were used by practisers of phlebotomy. The one in his right hand is inscribed 'Additional Military Staff to support the Peace'; the other: 'Wellington's Staff'. The surgeon on the left is Vansittart, in his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown, triumphantly holding up his lancet as guineas spout from the incision in John's right arm. The coin is collected by Prince Leopold in a warming-pan inscribed '60,000 per Ann'. [see British Museum Satires No. 12754] and by Princess Charlotte, who holds out a large receptacle inscribed 'For Wedding Garm[ents] Diamond Trinkets & Baubles'. She looks sideways at the warming-pan; her very décolletée dress has a train, and she wears a small crown or coronet. His military tunic is covered with stars, and he stares intently at the golden shower. Castlereagh, with a cynical smile, operates on the left arm. A tiny McMahon swarms up the pole and holds out his 'Privy Purse', see British Museum Satires No. 11874, to catch a trickle from the wound. The main shower of guineas falls into the enormous jaws of a squatting and grotesque Chinese mandarin (see British Museum Satires No. 12749) whose obese body, in the form of a large bag, is inscribed 'To pay off Arrears of the Civil List'. Over this bag, the biggest of the receptacles depicted, the gouty Regent stoops forward, supported on crutches, his head turned to the left, staring with apprehensive malevolence at Brougham who stands on the extreme left, not caricatured. John Bull, a stout 'cit', wears patched and ragged waistcoat and breeches. His empty pockets are inside out. He registers alarm, and exclaims: "Pray good folks have a little mercy & spare the Vital stream which sustains me!-- Consider what Oceans I have spilt in the late Wars!--I am too much exhausted to Bleed as freely as formerly--You have Open'd so many veins & drain'd me so incessantly that I fear my Constitution is impair'd for ever! My Friends, say that I am Declining fast & will certainly Die of a Galloping Consumption!!!" Two hussars with drawn sabres stand on guard behind his chair, watching the operation with pleased surprise. Behind them, the middle distance and background are filled with soldiers standing at attention with drawn sabres or fixed bayonets, wearing braided tunics and high hussar caps. They have British flags, faintly indicated, one being a Union flag, another the Royal Standard, and a fringed banner inscribed 'Standing Army For the Peace Establishment'. On the right, behind the Regent, the Tsar walks off to the right, looking over his shoulder with a pleased smile; he carries a sack across his shoulder inscribed 'Subsidies Russia'. With him, but less conspicuous, are Francis I and Frederick William; each carries a basket on his head heaped with coins, one 'Subsidies For Austria', the other 'Subsidies for Prussia'. All three wear uniform. Brougham, who wears a long loose coat, with trousers, and holds a top-hat, stands in profile to the right, his right arm extended with admonitory finger pointing at John Bull. He says: "Retrench! Johnny, Retrench!--practise a little more Economy in your present Wretched State, or you'll never Recover!--you have too many Physicians & their constant Employment is very Expensive they will not leave you till they have the last Shilling!--Kick out the Doctors & a fig for the Disease!!" At his feet and in the foreground is a neat box inscribed '37 Styptics [see British Museum Satires No. 12750, &c.] for Curing John Bull's Dreadful Disorder by Brougham & C°.' Near it are the fragments of a broken tub inscribed: 'Property Tax receiver rendered useless by the "ignorant impatience" of John Bull.' In front of John are a jar of 'Leeches' and a book: 'The Red Book or or [sic] a list of Persons Holding Sinecures'. Three tubs heaped with coin stand on the right, each progressively larger in size, inscribed: [1] 'Regency Presents & Yearly Allowance to Bonaparte & the Govenors [sic] Establist at St Helena'; [2] 'To Support the Allied Army in France'; [3] 'Extra Allowance for Commissrs of Dockyards & other fresh-water Agents of the Navy who will on the Peace Establishment of 1816 greatly exceed in expence the War Estabt of 1804 when the British Navy with 140,000 seamen Covered the Ocean.'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Month of publication from the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Politics, British.
Publisher:
Pubd. by F. Sidebotham, 96 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Name):
Vansittart, Nicholas, 1766-1851, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Brougham and Vaux, Henry Brougham, Baron, 1778-1868, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Léopold I, King of the Belgians, 1790-1865, Charlotte Augusta, Princess of Great Britain, 1796-1817, McMahon, John, approximately 1754-1817, Francis I, Emperor of Austria, 1768-1835, Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 1777-1825, Frederick William III, King of Prussia, 1770-1840, Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852., Brougham and Vaux, Henry Brougham, Baron, 1778-1868., Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822., George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830., and Vansittart, Nicholas, 1766-1851.
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Phlebotomy, Gout, Taxes, and Military personnel
"George IV sits full-face in a chair of state, in coronation robes, between Castlereagh (left) and Liverpool (right) who reach up to bind a pair of tall antlers on his forehead, with a Garter ribbon, inscribed 'Honi Soit Q . . Mal . y. Pe[nse]'. He holds a sceptre terminating in a stag's head, round his neck is the collar of an order on the jewel of which is a stag's head. His right foot is on a paper: 'Order R--l Yacht to sail to Cuckold's point [a place on the Thames] G R'; his left foot is regally on a footstool. A green bag (see British Museum Satires No. 13735) is tied to the back of each Minister, inscribed: 'Christian [scored through] Loaded with Sins Green Bag'. That of Castlereagh is attached with a strap inscribed 'House of Cxxmxxs', that of Liverpool with one inscribed 'House of Lxxds'. From the former's pocket hangs: 'A list of Italian false Swearers' [see British Museum Satires No. 13762, &c.]; from the latter's hangs a 'Bill of Degradation and Divorce, L--d L.' The King says: "Oh! beware, --of jealousy; It is a Green-bag'd monster,--do you really think they become me." Liverpool answers: "Whether they become you or not they will look uniform at Court [cf. British Museum Satires No. 12173]." Castlereagh: "We are well aware She did not place them on.--no matter, it must go down, besides there has just arrived several notorious villions from Italy who will swear She did, and we are determined you shall be crown 'd one way, or other." Watching the ceremony from the background is a row of courtiers (left), all antlered; one (Hertford) holds a Lord Chamberlain's wand. On the right is a row of plump ladies. Below the title: '"What various motivs sway still changing man! While Harry boasts no cuckold knave is he! "Another give [sic] worlds to find a plan," "By which a cuckold he may prove to be!'"--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
King of the Cuckolds being crowned
Description:
Title etched below image., Approximate month of publication from the British Museum catalogue., Publisher's advertisement at bottom of plate: Just published "How beautiful is virtue!!! Modesty! Dignity! Chastity! And national love!", 1 print : etching with stipple ; sheet 34.4 x 25 cm., Printed on wove paper; hand-colored., Imperfect; sheet trimmed within plate mark with loss of publisher's advertisement from bottom edge., and Mounted on page 41 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Pubd. by J.L. Marks, 37 Princes Street, Soho
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, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Hertford, Francis Ingram Seymour, Marquis of, 1743-1822, and Hertford, Isabella Anne Ingram-Seymour-Conway, Marchioness of, 1760-1834.
Subject (Topic):
Politicians, Adultery, Ribbons, Scepters, Antlers, Chairs, Robes, and Bags
"On the left is a pleasant old-fashioned tavern, 'The Kings Head', with a half length portrait of George IV in crown and robes. Ministers are seen within the open window, Castlereagh's profile on the left. A sturdy John Bull in top-boots stands outside, watching with distaste a disorderly and drunken rabble crowding round the door and (broken) window of the opposite house, the sign 'Mother Red Cap', a half length portrait of Queen Caroline, raddled and disreputable, a tricolour cockade in her conical hat. From the end of the beam supporting the sign hangs a pear (emblem of Bergami, see British Museum Satires No. 13869). The house (right) is a ruinous timber structure, shored up by beams. The crowd have a banner of a woman's shift inscribed 'Un Sun'd Snow NB "The Times" Taken in Here.' A man plays drum and pan-pipes. One man empties a bottle of spirits inscribed 'Queens Mixture' down the throat of a drunken fellow lying on his back. A fat man has a tankard of 'Qu[een's] Entire'. The two inns are respectively placarded 'The Original Brunswick House of Call for Loyalists--Pure Wine--Good Spirits --Sound Ale'; and 'The Brunswick Radical House of Call Italian Wines Bergamy Perry [cf. British Museum Satires No. 13869] No Adulteration! NB Good accomodation for all sorts of Cattle. Whitbread's Entire [cf. British Museum Satires No. 10414]--Small Beer.' In the background is a church tower among trees."--British Museum online catalogue, descr
Alternative Title:
Mother Red Cap public house, in oppsition to the Kings Head and Mother Red Cap public house, in opposition to the Kings Head
Description:
Title etched above image., State from British Museum catalogue. For an earlier state published 11 November 1820 as a plate to The Loyalist's magazine, see no. 13975 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 10., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Mounted on page 44 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Pub. by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James's St.
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, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Bergami, Bartolomeo Bergami, Baron., and Whitbread, Samuel, 1764-1815.
Subject (Topic):
Politicians, Taverns (Inns), Crowns, Robes, Crowds, Intoxication, Alcoholic beverages, Pears, Banners, Street musicians, and Churches
"Heading to a printed broadside. Four Ministers, summoned by the King, sit at a table bending over a crown broken into two pieces. Sidmouth (right), tilting forward his seat, which is a commode, holds his clyster-pipe; in his pocket is a bottle labelled 'Strong Mixture'. He says: "There seems to have been a flaw in it for some years it only required a slight tap to do all the mischief." Liverpool, next him, says: "Some Foreign Cement or a decoction of steel lozenges [see British Museum Satires No. 13513] properly applied may stick them together for the present, but I'm afraid it won't last long, the parts seem of opposite compositions." Castlereagh says, with a sinister smile: "By the Ghost of my Father I will hold it together by a Tringular [sic] Proceeding. & whip it all round" [see British Museum Satires No. 14135]. Wellington, dressed as a field-marshal, and wearing cavalry boots with huge spurs, sits in a chair decorated with military emblems; he says: "Steel filings and leaded paste is the only Composition to be depended on." At his feet are bayonets and cannon-balls, with (left) a cannon, and a huge ball inscribed 'Bolus'. Behind Sidmouth stands George IV (right) in consultation with Eldon; he weeps, holding his handkerchief to his eye, and says, pointing to his Ministers: "Cant Sid my Tool and L--r--pl, Some how contrive to mend it." Eldon, in Chancellor's wig and gown, holds the lower end of the mace against his chin with a puzzled scowl. He answers: "Dash my Wig if I know what to do! my head's in Chancery." Beside him are two 'Old Green Bags done with' [see British Museum Satires Nos. 13735, 13986]. At the King's feet is a paper: 'Straight Jacket'. By Sidmouth's chair are papers: 'A Blister for the Radicals if they Kick up a Row'; 'A Gagging Bandage', with a pot of 'Poison for the Q . . .' [cf. British Museum Satires No. 13868]. Also the words 'Filth', 'Dirt'. On the extreme left, John Bull, a stout and formidable 'cit', is seated on a bale inscribed 'Knowledge is Power' [see British Museum Satires No. 14005]. One hand is on his hip, the other on a bludgeon of 'English Oak'. He says, frowning at the Ministers: "I think the following prescription would be the best Cement, a handful of reformation; a large portion of the abolition of Sinicures [sic], a ladle full of the reduction of Taxes, with a plentiful solution of the Oil of Just Claims, and attention to the wants of an industrious part of the Community, would more safely ensure a permanent union with the separate pieces than all the cement or steel lozengers [sic] in the world." The Queen looks in through a small window, Wood looking over her shoulder; they watch the proceedings, tense and indignant. Above the King's head is a shelf of 'Chinese Toys from Hot Creek': a little pagoda flanked by figures of (left) a fat lady and a thin man (the Conynghams) and (right) a squatting obese man (the King). The last two of seven verses (of a 'New Version'): "She claims a share "To all (I swear!) "That I possess;--but mind her "Good C--tl--gh, "Look sharp--d'y' see "There's Radicals behind her. "A stronger pill "'S required still "Than G--ff--d's famous lotion; "Your brains well shake, "The corners rake, To give the jade a motion."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Disasters of a green-bag chief!!!
Description:
Title from letterpress text below image., Printmaker and date of publication from the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on three sides., "Price one shilling"--Below imprint., 1 print : etching ; sheet 38 x 26 cm., Printed on wove paper; hand-colored., Imperfect; sheet trimmed resulting in loss of imprint statement and price statement from bottom edge., and Mounted on page 38 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Printed for O. Hodgson, 43, King Street, Snow Hill
Subject (Geographic):
England.
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, Eldon, John Scott, Earl of, 1751-1838, Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852, Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of, 1770-1828, Sidmouth, Henry Addington, Viscount, 1757-1844, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Wood, Matthew, Sir, 1768-1843, Conyngham, Elizabeth Conyngham, Marchioness, -1861., and Conyngham, Henry, Marquess, 1766-1832.
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Politicians, Tables, Crowns, Medical equipment & supplies, Bayonets, Cannons, Cannon balls, Crying, Ceremonial maces, Bags, and Windows
Title etched below image., Artist from British Museum catalogue., Publication information extrapolated from the place and date of publication of the periodical for which the plate was etched., Plate numbered in upper right corner: No. XII., Reduced copy of a print published by S.W. Fores in 1805., Plate no. XII from: London und Paris, xvi, 1805., Temporary local subject terms: British sailors -- Drinking -- Politics., Watermark: Strasburg Lily., and Mounted to 23 x 29 cm.
Publisher:
Im Vertage des Industrie-Comptoirs
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806 and Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822
Title from caption below image., Publication date from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Oriental pipes -- Costume: male, Chinese -- Flags: Union Jack -- Swords -- Costume: female, 1816 -- Mandarins -- Bloomfield, Benjamin Bloomfield, 1st Baron, 1768-1846 -- Queen Charlotte's snuffboxes., Watermark: W[?]SS, and Manuscript "189" in upper center of plate.
Publisher:
Pubd. by J. Sidebotham No. 96 Strand
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Amherst of Arracan, William Pitt Amherst, Earl, 1773-1857, Hertford, Isabella Anne (Ingream Shepheard), Marchioness of, fl. 1813, Hertford, Francis Ingram Seymour, Marquis of, 1743-1822,, Charlotte Augusta, Princess of Great Britain, 1796-1817, Léopold I, King of the Belgians, 1790-1865, Eldon, John Scott, Earl of, 1751-1838, Ellenborough, Edward Law, Baron, 1750-1818, Sligo, Howe Peter Browne, Marquess of, 1788-1845, Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822, Charlotte, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, and McMahon, John
"A hand, 'Manus Populi', extends into the design from the upper margin, holding a chain from which hangs a pair of scales. On one (right), close to the ground, sits the Queen, hands crossed on her breast, saying: "My innocence will support me & my Country will protect me-- 10 Great Men against one unprotected Woman are fearful odds." The other scale, high in the air, is completely filled by a green bag, see British Museum Satires No. 13735, from the mouth of which emerges the head of George IV, crowned. Attached to the beam, by a rope round his neck, hangs a military officer, holding a huge key; as a makeweight he dangles vainly against the left side of the King's bag. Three men standing below pull at the scale, trying to drag it down: they are Sidmouth (left), a judge in back view (? Leach), and Castlereagh (right), who says: "We cannot do it, and I told you so at first, & if she opens her bag we shall be stifled all of us." The King looks down at them with a distressed expression, saying: "Pull you lubbers.""--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Green bag, its contents and all its appendages are insufficient to turn the scale of public opinion
Description:
Title etched below image., Date precedes publisher's statement in imprint., and Sheet trimmed to plate mark.
Publisher:
Pubd. by S.W. Fores, 41 Piccadilly
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, and Leach, John, 1760-1834
Subject (Topic):
Politicians, Military officers, British, Keys (Hardware), Scales, and Bags
"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
"John Bull, a fat 'cit', walks on hands and feet, overburdened with panniers containing royal dukes and their wives. He raises the left leg to propel the Duke of Clarence from his back into a pond (right); on the Duke's shoulders sit two young women, who are also about to land in the pond in which is a notice-board: 'Slough of Jordan'. Three pairs of feminine legs and one pair in trousers emerge from the pond, where their owners have fallen head first; two chamber-pots inconspicuously floating among the legs show by a coarse pun that these belong to FitzClarences, the Duke's children by Mrs. Jordan, cf. No. 7908, &c. The Duke who flourishes a cat-o'-nine-tails, exclaims "Curse him he has kick'd me off, take [sic] we shall be in the slough by G-". In the near pannier on John's left stands the Duke of Kent, one arm round his betrothed, the other flourishing a long whip, with his right leg raised and resting on John's shoulder, which his spur gashes. Beside the Princess of Leiningen stands the Duchess of Cumberland extending her arms towards her husband who lies on the ground, clutching a whip with a long weighted lash. She says: "Oh mine dear why you Tomble out make hase [sic] haste you get up again!" He: "No! No! my dear this is the second fall I have had, I shall not venture a third time, so you must e'en ride without me!" In the other pannier stands the Duke of Cambridge, raising his heavy whip to lash John Bull; his betrothed, the Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel, stands behind him with her hands on his shoulders. He says: "Come up you lazy Animal why you are as sluggish as a Jack Ass! spur him up, -why the stupid Animal is totally ignorant of the honor done him, Aye and of the grandeur and brilliance we shall display. beside Johnny its the Money we want not the Wives, consider the number of Bastards we have to keep,." She says: "Ah so you whip de Monies from Johnny Bull." John, looking up towards his tormentors, says: "Curse the honor, the Brilliance, the Luxury, extravagance, the Debauchery and all the rest, give me but a little ease, and allow me to keep a little of my hard earnings, and then I will trudge on, but I cannot labour without Victuals, or pay without Money, t'is too much for any Animal to bear." All the brothers wear uniform; Clarence that of an admiral, Cumberland that of a hussar, with furred dolman. Princess Elizabeth and her husband, see No. 12986, &c., stand together in the background (left) in travelling dress, watching John Bull. Near them and on the extreme left is Castlereagh standing on a mounting-block with three steps inscribed respectively: 'Conceit', 'Importance', 'Effrontery'. He takes from a man whose hand and foot only are visible (as in other representations of the Regent) a great pile of new burdens for John Bull, saying, "I'll put it on! he will bear it, and more still." These bulky packages are: 'New fasioned [sic] Loans', 'New export Duties', 'New Yachts', 'New Madhouses', 'New Palaces', 'New Streets', 'New Jails', 'New Churches'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Poor Jonny ridden to death
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., The marriages of the Dukes of Clarence, Kent and Cambridge were hastened by the death of Princess Charlotte, and the image reflects the debates of April 15 and 16, 1818, on a provision for the dukes on their marriages. The Duke of Cumberland was included in the financial arrangements., and With contemporary pencil sketch in pencil on verso.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 1818 by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
William IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837, Adolphus Frederick, Prince, Duke of Cambridge, 1774-1850, Edward Augustus, Prince, Duke of Kent, 1767-1820, and Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character) and English wit and humor, Pictorial
"John Bull, a fat 'cit', walks on hands and feet, overburdened with panniers containing royal dukes and their wives. He raises the left leg to propel the Duke of Clarence from his back into a pond (right); on the Duke's shoulders sit two young women, who are also about to land in the pond in which is a notice-board: 'Slough of Jordan'. Three pairs of feminine legs and one pair in trousers emerge from the pond, where their owners have fallen head first; two chamber-pots inconspicuously floating among the legs show by a coarse pun that these belong to FitzClarences, the Duke's children by Mrs. Jordan, cf. No. 7908, &c. The Duke who flourishes a cat-o'-nine-tails, exclaims "Curse him he has kick'd me off, take [sic] we shall be in the slough by G-". In the near pannier on John's left stands the Duke of Kent, one arm round his betrothed, the other flourishing a long whip, with his right leg raised and resting on John's shoulder, which his spur gashes. Beside the Princess of Leiningen stands the Duchess of Cumberland extending her arms towards her husband who lies on the ground, clutching a whip with a long weighted lash. She says: "Oh mine dear why you Tomble out make hase [sic] haste you get up again!" He: "No! No! my dear this is the second fall I have had, I shall not venture a third time, so you must e'en ride without me!" In the other pannier stands the Duke of Cambridge, raising his heavy whip to lash John Bull; his betrothed, the Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel, stands behind him with her hands on his shoulders. He says: "Come up you lazy Animal why you are as sluggish as a Jack Ass! spur him up, -why the stupid Animal is totally ignorant of the honor done him, Aye and of the grandeur and brilliance we shall display. beside Johnny its the Money we want not the Wives, consider the number of Bastards we have to keep,." She says: "Ah so you whip de Monies from Johnny Bull." John, looking up towards his tormentors, says: "Curse the honor, the Brilliance, the Luxury, extravagance, the Debauchery and all the rest, give me but a little ease, and allow me to keep a little of my hard earnings, and then I will trudge on, but I cannot labour without Victuals, or pay without Money, t'is too much for any Animal to bear." All the brothers wear uniform; Clarence that of an admiral, Cumberland that of a hussar, with furred dolman. Princess Elizabeth and her husband, see No. 12986, &c., stand together in the background (left) in travelling dress, watching John Bull. Near them and on the extreme left is Castlereagh standing on a mounting-block with three steps inscribed respectively: 'Conceit', 'Importance', 'Effrontery'. He takes from a man whose hand and foot only are visible (as in other representations of the Regent) a great pile of new burdens for John Bull, saying, "I'll put it on! he will bear it, and more still." These bulky packages are: 'New fasioned [sic] Loans', 'New export Duties', 'New Yachts', 'New Madhouses', 'New Palaces', 'New Streets', 'New Jails', 'New Churches'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Poor Jonny ridden to death
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., The marriages of the Dukes of Clarence, Kent and Cambridge were hastened by the death of Princess Charlotte, and the image reflects the debates of April 15 and 16, 1818, on a provision for the dukes on their marriages. The Duke of Cumberland was included in the financial arrangements., and With contemporary pencil sketch in pencil on verso.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 1818 by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
William IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837, Adolphus Frederick, Prince, Duke of Cambridge, 1774-1850, Edward Augustus, Prince, Duke of Kent, 1767-1820, and Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, Viscount, 1769-1822
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character) and English wit and humor, Pictorial