"The Tree of Liberty (cf. BMSat 9214), often (in fact) a pole surmounted by a bonnet-rouge, is here a pike on which is the bleeding head of Fox, the eyes covered by a cap inscribed 'Libertas'. Round the base of the pike and on a grassy mound are heaped the heads of the Foxites. The six heads at the base of the pile are (left to right): Thelwall, a little apart from the others; beside him is a paper: 'Lectures upon the Fall of the Republic by J. Thelwall' (see BMSat 8685); against his head lies the blade of a headsman's axe; Derby (in 'profil perdu'), Lauderdale, Stanhope, M. A. Taylor, and Hanger. The two central heads are Erskine and Sheridan; next the latter is Horne Tooke. Behind, and forming the apex of the pile, are the head of (?) Grey [Incorrectly identified in Wright and Evans as Wilkes. It is possible that the head here identified as Grey is Byng, and that identified as Bedford is Grey.] in profile to the left and the handsome head of (?) Bedford. In the background are clouds, and below (right) the top of a hill."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Bedford, Francis Russell,--Duke of,--1765-1802--Caricatures and cartoons., Derby, Edward Smith Stanley,--Earl of,--1752-1834--Caricatures and cartoons., Erskine, Thomas Erskine,--Baron,--1750-1823--Caricatures and cartoons., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Grey, Charles Grey,--Earl,--1764-1845--Caricatures and cartoons., Hanger, George,--1751?-1824--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., Lauderdale, James Maitland,--Earl of,--1759-1839--Caricatures and cartoons., Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons., Stanhope, Charles Stanhope,--Earl,--1753-1816--Caricatures and cartoons., Taylor, Michael Angelo,--1757-1834--Caricatures and cartoons., Thelwall, John,--1764-1834--Caricatures and cartoons., and Tooke, John Horne,--1736-1812--Caricatures and cartoons.