“Perceval, as Don Quixote, stands in front of the Treasury, giving his orders for the forthcoming session. Facing him, Ministerial members (right) stand at attention, clasping rolled documents, all inscribed ‘Ministerial Military Exercise Aye & No’, as if they were muskets; one is in Highland dress. A further phalanx in the background is on Perceval’s left. He wears armour, with Mambrino’s helmet (the barber’s basin) and holds erect a tilting-lance, which serves as staff for the Royal Standard. His left hand, holding a ‘Muster Roll’, rests on his hip. Behind him, pen in hand, and with a pen behind the ear, the two Treasury Secretaries stand stiffly, each with a large book, one ‘Names of Staunch Men’, the other ‘Names of Deserters’. On the extreme left and in the foreground George Rose stoops over a large ‘Military Chest’, filled with bank-notes, which he holds out towards the Ministerial troops. On the ground beside him lies a rose labelled ‘A Rose in January’. Behind him, lurking in a gateway, is Melville, in Highland dress, with two similarly clad Scots peering over his shoulder. He says: “An Ye should want a set of braw fellows fit for ony service, I ha them here ready for ye”. On Perceval’s left is a mounted officer (Montrose) holding a paper inscribed ‘Treaty for an Armistice for 14 days if Necessary’. Beside him is a mounted trumpeter. Perceval says: “Now my Lads lets see if you are perfect in your Exercise!!! You will stick close right or wrong”. All answer “Aye. Nor refuse a good place when it is offered”. All answer “No. Of course all I say is truth”. All answer “Aye, Nor you wont let the Enemy Contradit me”. All answer “No”. Perceval: “That will do very well and my Aid de Camps shall register you accordingly remember there is something good at the bottom of the Ches [sic]”. …”–British Museum online catalogue.
- Printmaker: Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.
- Title: Don Quixote, comander [sic] in chief, reviewing his troops previous to the campain [sic] [graphic].
- Publication: [London] : Pubd. Jany. 1810 by Walker, 7 Cornhill, [January 1810]
810.01.00.02
Acquired June 2024