"Satire on the expected effect of a return of John Wilkes to parliament. Wilkes as Hercules leaps over the fallen figure of Discord to seize the arm of the Speaker, Sir John Cust, as members flee in all directions. In the front, to right, is Fletcher Norton, holding a bag of money while other coins fall from his pocket as he steps over the mace, lettered "A Mere Bauble" (quoting Oliver Cromwell). In the background, on a pedestal decorated with the mournful figure of Britannia, a bloated figure squats over "Magna Charta". It has three heads, a wolf, a snake and a sheep; one outstretched hand is in the form of a claw, the other holds a bag of money. Behind this figure, Lord Bute, emerges raising hands in shock at the sight of Wilkes/Hercules."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from text above image., Two lines of text below image: The figure on the pedestal is the symbol of bribery, corruption & hypocrisy., Plate from: The Political register and London museum. London : Printed for J. Almon [1767-1772], v. 2 (1768), page 193., and Temporary local subject terms: Mythology -- Influence: Lord Bute's influence -- Emblems: Speaker's mace -- Bags of money -- Personifications: Bribery, Corruption and Hypocrisy -- Weapons: mace.
"From the stage of a theatre, two figures address the audience: Charles Fox (left) with a fox's head, holds under his left arm a tray in which are two doll-like infants in swaddling bands; in his right hand is a paper inscribed, "Norton & Fox Sponsors". He is saying: "Discovered by the Secret Committee". In the centre is another man with a wide open mouth, whose head is perhaps intended for that of a dolphin. He holds a paper inscribed "The Child of the People". On the right. of the stage is part of a fountain supported by a satyr. On each side of the stage are two tiers of boxes; in the lower box on the right. Punch is talking to a lady."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Legacy for the House of Commons
Description:
Title etched above image., Dated in the British Museum catalogue from a report in the Oxford magazine, v. 6 (1771), p. 157., and Temporary local subject terms: Theater: boxes -- Architectural details: fountain -- Satyrs (Greek mythology) -- Punch, as member of audience -- Masks: ass's head -- Dolphin's head -- Children: infant foundlings -- Lighting -- Boots: one spurred, one Roman -- Reference to the House of Commons' Secret Committee, April 1771.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806 and Norton, Fletcher, 1716-1789
"Satire on Wilkes's release from custody in April 1763 and the successful actions for damages by printers of the North Briton, No. 45. A scene in Guildhall with the legs of Gog and Magog visible at top left and the lower parts of two portraits at right: on the left, a prancing devil grasps the collar of Nathan Carrington, King's Messenger (his position identified by his greyhound badge) who complains that he had acted on "Orders from Above" in arresting the printers; two angry men reproach Carrington for having seized their papers, one demanding the return of "my Memoirs", the other, Arthur Beardmore, asking for his journal, the Monitor. In the foreground, two devils attack three other Messengers (Money, Watson and Blackmore) lying on the ground; a devil with type arrayed on his head belabours them with a printer's mallet. Behind this group are Sir Fletcher Norton, by then Attorney-General, and Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, covering their faces with their hands and lamenting their failure; they are sent on their way by a man who alludes to the General Warrant and damns them to make "good Fuel" in Hell. Wilkes takes the hand of Pratt, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, who had released him from the Tower; Wilkes's advocate John Glynn stands behind and all three are celebrating the triumph of Liberty and English justice; William Beckford (shown with a black face in allusion to his Caribbean wealth) rushes towards them enthusiastically. To the right, a group of printers delight in their good fortune in the substantial sums they have been awarded, one man holding out both hands full of coins."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Messengers in the suds
Description:
Title from item., Publication date from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Three columns of verse below image: [The] sons of the type view this scene in Guildhall, the devils triumphant and messengers fall ..., Temporary local subject terms: Interiors: Arms: City of London -- Slang: 'coney catchers' -- Trials: John Wilkes's trial, 1763 -- Nathan Carrington, d. 1777 -- John Money, fl. 1763 -- Arthur Beardmore, d. 1765., and Mounted.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Wilkes, John, 1725-1797, Camden, Charles Pratt, Earl, 1714-1794, Glynn, John, 1722-1779, Mansfield, William Murray, Earl of, 1705-1793, Norton, Fletcher, 1716-1789, Beckford, William, 1709-1770, and Guildhall (London, England),
