"A stage-wagon drawn (left to right) by four horses with human heads, whose large, hairy ears suggest asses rather than horses. The wagon is inscribed 'Fox. Sheridan & Pennylus. India Papers'. It is piled with books and documents, inscribed 'Vol. cxii, Letters &c, India Papers, Private Correspondence', and 'Delhi'. The tilt or cover, which is pushed back to show the papers, is punningly inscribed 'To Battle Hastings'. The two leaders are led by a demon who flourishes a whip; both have rosaries with crosses round their necks; the near leader is Burke wearing his Jesuit's biretta (cf. BMSat 6026), the other has some resemblance to Sheridan. The near wheeler is Fox, the off wheeler resembles Lord Surrey: the rosary would be more appropriate to him than to Sheridan. In the background is Brooks's, the cornice inscribed 'Brooks's hot-hell'. The building is drawn with topographical correctness, and resembles Malton's plate of 1800, except that it is detached on the north as well as the south. On the extreme left, behind the demon, is a post supporting a placard inscribed, 'In a Few Days will be performd a Comedy called Impeachment by a Ragged Company (late) His Majestys Servants Principal Characters by Mr A. Mr C. Mr F. Mr B Mr D. Mr G.' [William Adam?, John Courtenay (or Lord Carlisle), Fox, Burke, Lord Derby. [The identity of Mr G. is mysterious: Grey was not a M.P. till July 1786, his maiden speech being on 21 Feb. 1787]] Below the title is etched: 'N.B. the Proprietors (never) Acct for Plate, Money, Iewels, Notes or Bonds'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Partial watermark, top center; mounted to 33 x 43 cm.
Publisher:
Publishd as the act directs, April 1st, 1786, by Alexr. McKenzie, No. 101 Berwick Street, Soho
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, and Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818
"Hastings stands holding one end of a large pie in his left hand; in his right he raises a knife to cut the pie. On the left are Managers of his impeachment; on the right are Thurlow and the Devil: both drag at Hastings and at the pie, but the latter party appear to be gaining. Small demons or imps emerge from the pie which personifies Impey. Burke clutches Hastings's coat and right arm; a scroll issuing from his mouth extends above his assistants and is inscribed 'For the sake of Injured Millions, I and my worthy Friends and Colleagues demand these Wretches as Victims to Publick Justice'. Fox clutches Burke, another man (? Sheridan) clutches Fox, his arm being linked in that of the man (? Windham) on the extreme left. A fifth man in back view clutches with both hands at the pie; a paper protrudes from his pocket inscribed 'Sr Elijah's Impeachment', showing that he is Sir Gilbert Elliot who was entrusted with the case against Impey. Thurlow drags at Hastings's left arm and clutches two large money-bags; a scroll issues from his mouth, forming a pendant to that of Burke: 'And - for the sake of Consigned Millions, I - with the assistance of my old Friend and Colleague here am resolved to protect these worthy Gentlemen'. He wears his Chancellor's wig and gown; one hairy leg terminates in a cloven hoof. The Devil clutches Hastings's wrist and the pie; he is a ferocious muscular creature with webbed wings and scaly barbed tail. Hastings as usual wears oriental dress with a jewelled turban."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Struggle for a Bengal butcher and an Impey
Description:
Title etched below image., Temporary local subject terms: Law -- Horace Walpole refers to subject of print., and Watermark.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 18 1788 for J. Doughty and Co., No. 19 Holborn, London
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816, Minto, Gilbert Elliot, Earl of, 1751-1814, and Windham, William, 1750-1810