Modern St. George attacking the monster of despotism

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“Burdett, wearing armour, attacks a seven-headed monster, which guards the gate of the Treasury, a heavy door in a stone arch (left). On his shield is a St. George’s Cross inscribed ‘Bill of Rights’ and ‘Magna Charta’; at his feet is the word ‘Independance’ [cf. British Museum Satires No. 10732]. He says: “I will Stand up for the Rights of the People Or Perish in the Attempt”. The monster has a scaly body, webbed and barbed wings, a barbed tail, and fierce talons; its seven serpent-like necks, terminating in human heads, are encircled by a collar inscribed ‘Coruption’ [in reversed characters). All spit at Burdett, three emit words: Perceval says: “I Perceive what hes Doing”; Croker says: “I begin to Croke”; a third, Lethbridge (identified by his words), says: “Bless me He makes my Hair stand on End like the Quills upon the fretfull Porcupine”. His hair is standing up, and is flanked by two locks which suggest ass’s ears. A profile resembles Windham; one head may be presumed to represent Yorke. Under the feet of the monster are three torn papers: ‘Act of Habeas Corpus’, ‘Compact between the King and the People’, ‘Petition of Right’.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Heath, William, 1795-1840, printmaker.
  • Title: Modern St. George attacking the monster of despotism [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pub. 6th of April by Fores, 50 Picadilli [sic], [6 April] 1810.

Catalog RecordĀ 

810.04.06.01+

Acquired October 2018

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