A scene in the Crown & Anchor Tavern

A scene in the Crown & Anchor Tavern

“Fox and Sheridan (left) sit together at the head of a rectangular table on which is a punch-bowl, &c, looking with dismay at whigs (right), who advance to hurl their wigs at a large pile of wigs on the left (inscribed ‘The Heads having Scratched out of the Club’), or retire, having already done so. Fox and Sheridan wear enormous wigs, the former says, “Brother: Brother: we are all in the wrong” (showing that they are Peachum and Lockit [Like Newcastle and Fox in 1756 (British Museum Satires no. 3371), Burke and Sheridan in 1790 (British Museum Satires no. 7627), Burke and Fox in 1791 (British Museum Satires no. 7856).] in Gay’s ‘Beggar’s Opera’, II. ii). Before Fox is a list with names scored through. Sheridan grasps a bottle of ‘Sherry’. A couple advance together, in the act of hurling their large wigs at the pile; one says, “I will Scratch out my Name in hopes of getting in for the City” (probably Nathaniel Newnham, returned for the City 1784, but defeated in 1790, cf. British Museum Satires no. 7162). The other is perhaps Windham. The only one of the retiring wigless Whigs who is characterized is Burke. All say: “We have erased our Names for ever from the Club, when the Artful & Ambitious designs of a Faction are carried on under a Mask of Prudential Reform & when the leading Members are Notoriously known to Carry on a secret Correspondence with the Avowed Enemies of the Constitution they Affect to Support & Defend it is high time for all prudent & real friends to that Constitution to leave them to their Just Punishment, the Contemp of all true Friends to their King and Constitution.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • TitleA scene in the Crown & Anchor Tavern, or, A crack in the Wig Club [graphic].
  • Publication[London] : Pub. March 17, 1793, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly … , [17 March 1793]

Catalog Record 

793.03.17.01

Acquired June 2018

Preliminaries of peace, or, Politicians puzzled

Preliminaries of peace, or, Politicians puzzled

“Members of the Opposition in a row, talk in couples, except for the arch-egotist Erskine (see British Museum satires no. 9246) on the extreme left, who exclaims: “Peace – and I not consulted ’tis very strange, by Gad”. Sheridan (left), seated in profile to the right, reads the ‘Gazzette Extraordina[ry] Peace! Peace!’ with an expression of dismay. He says: “It is here, sure enough, I can scarcely believe my eyes, then all my fine speeches respecting the continuance of the War is dish’d, its no farce.” Burdett stands with legs astride looking down at him; he says: “O it can’t be true depend upon it.” The centre pair, Fox and Bedford, face each other in profile. Fox says: “This is a curious kind of business. I heard of it at the Crown and Anchor.” Bedford, in top-boots, and a riding whip under his arm, answers: “I heard of it in Bedfordshire.” On the right little Lord Derby turns to Tierney, asking, “Pray who is this Peace Maker – this Mr A- Ad, Ad, what’s his name, I never can think of it dam my Wig” [he is almost bald, with a tiny pigtail]. Tierney, looking down morosely, his arms folded, answers: “I really cannot immediately recollect, but I know he is not one of us – however we can find it in the Red Book”.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Roberts, Piercy, active 1791-1805, printmaker.
  • TitlePreliminaries of peace, or, Politicians puzzled [graphic] / Woodward delin. ; etchd. by Roberts.
  • PublicationLondon : Pubd. by P. Roberts, 28 Middle Row, Holborn, [ca. October 1801]

Catalog Record 

801.10.00.03+

Acquired June 2018

The docter [sic] himself pouring out his whole soul for 1 s.

“Dr. James Graham, the famous quack, stands on a small platform or pedestal, addressing an audience of both sexes who sit and stand in front of him. He stands rather to the right of the design looking left, his right hand raised, his left holding a rolled paper as in British Museum Satire no. 6324. He wears a bag-wig and ruffled shirt. Those of the audience whose faces are visible are probably portraits, but only Fox, Wilkes, and (?) Perdita Robinson can be identified. Three persons sit on a raised seat immediately under the lecturer and with their backs towards him: a young man puts his arm round a lady who draws back with a coy expression; the third is Fox who sits gloomily impassive, his head supported on his hand, perhaps annoyed at the way in which Mrs. Robinson looks towards the man standing next her, who stands on the extreme right in profile to the left. He is slim and wears the fashionable riding-dress but is very ugly. Two rows of people sit on forms facing the lecturer. Others stand on the left. Wilkes is in profile to the right, an elderly beau with receding hair, sunken eyes, and broken teeth.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • PrintmakerBoyne, John, approximately 1750-1810, printmaker.
  • TitleThe docter [sic] himself pouring out his whole soul for 1 s. [graphic] / I.B.
  • PublicationLondon : Published as the act directs Feby. 12, 1783, by R. Rusted, No. 3 Bridge St., Ludgate Hill, [12 February 1783]

Catalog Record

783.02.12.01+

Acquired May 2017

The golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up

“A sequel to British Museum Satires no. 6438. George III, seated on a balloon, points downwards with his sceptre to an image of Pitt (right) as a naked child, on a column which is inscribed ‘Family Presumption’. The king looks down at North, Fox, and Burke, saying, “I command you O Shadrach Mesech & Abednego!” The three stand (left) in attitudes expressing intense self-righteousness; they say: “Know O King we will not worship ye Golden Image”; on each head rests a tongue of flame. They stand outside a dilapidated building on the extreme left inscribed ‘St Stephens’, shored up by a beam, whose base is at their feet, inscribed ‘Resolutions Unrescinded’. From its coping-stone flies an ensign flag inscribed ‘Firm S.P.Q.B.’ The king’s balloon is inscribed ‘Prerogative’; its lower axis emits a blast inscribed ‘Gracious Answer’. Behind the balloon and Pitt are clouds inscribed ‘Breath of Popularity’. Pitt stands sucking his finger (cf. British Museum Satires no. 6417); on his head is a sugar-loaf surmounted by a flag inscribed ‘Feby 28′, an emblem of the Grocers’ Company which had entertained him on that day, see British Museum Satires no. 6442. Kneeling figures do obeisance before the image of Pitt, those in the foreground representing the least reputable trades: a lamplighter (left), with his ladder and oil-can, kneels in profile to the right; a butcher prostrates himself; a chimney-sweep kneels with clasped hands; a ragged scavenger, his shovel and basket beside him, kneels in profile to the left, the basket stands on a paper inscribed ‘[Worshipfu]ll Company of Scavenger[s]’. In the foreground lie papers inscribed ‘Garret Address’ (an allusion to the mock elections of Garratt), ‘Address’, and ‘The worshipfull Company of Chimney Sweepers’. A crowd of kneeling figures (left) is worshipping the idol; they hold standards, three of which are inscribed ‘Bristol’, ‘Westminster’, and ‘London’, representing the addresses to the king which had been compared by Fox to those made to Charles II, see British Museum Satires no. 6438, &c.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • PrintmakerCollings, Samuel, printmaker.
  • TitleThe golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up [graphic] / Annibal Scratch del. et sculp.
  • Publication[London] : Pub. by W. Wells, No. 132 Fleet Street, March 11th, 1784.

Catalog Record

784.03.11.05+

Acquired May 2017

Road to Ruin

lwlpr35018-1024x387

“Notorious rakes and gamblers ride or run furiously towards rays descending from a sun in the upper left corner of the design inscribed ‘Chance’; its centre, a segment of which is visible, is composed of the letters on an ‘E.O.’ (roulette) table (cf. British Museum Satires No. 5928). The foremost pair are the Duke of Clarence and the Prince of Wales; the Duke, slightly ahead, wears a chamber-pot on his head marked with an anchor (cf. British Museum Satires No. 7909) and sits behind Mrs. Jordan, who cries, “Push away! that’s your sort!” He cries, “Straight Sailing! that’s your sort!” Both the horses have human heads; that of the Duke says, “I’m the Sort for Leading; that of the Prince is Fox.” The Prince’s hat with feathers and the motto ‘Ich dien’ flies from his head, two women sit behind him; the one holding his waist (? Mrs. Crouch) says, “No Jealous Fitz – that’s your sort!” The other, seated behind her, holds the end of the Prince’s shirt, she has a large fox’s brush and is probably Mrs. Armistead; she says, “Well done Charley! That’s your sort!” The Prince says, “I’m the sort for a Widow – she’s done over!” Mrs. Fitzherbert has fallen from the horse into a stream and holds out her arms towards the Prince. From the water emerges a post inscribed ‘Styx’, a bridge or culvert beside it is ‘Hazard’. Behind this group the Duke of York runs forward, wearing a hat made of playing-cards surmounted by a teetotum inscribed ‘ABC….’ In his right hand he holds out a dice-box inscribed ‘Oat – ‘ shaking from it two dice inscribed ‘la’ and ‘nds’ (he had recently bought Oatlands); in his left is a tennis racquet. He wears regimentals; the ribbon across his shoulder is formed of playing-cards; at his back is a knapsack full of ‘Tennis Balls’ (cf. British Museum Satires No. 7903) which resemble guineas. He says, “I’m the sort! for running out!” For his gaming see British Museum Satires No. 7301 (5), &c. Just behind him ride three bloods with cropped hair, wearing the high hats, long breeches, and coats with shawl collars hanging away from the neck which such young men affected (see British Museum Satires No. 8040, &c). The one nearest the spectator rides a horse with a bandage over his eyes inscribed ‘Lottery Hack’; he looks up, regardless of the fact that he is riding into a pit, and points with his long whip to a castle resting on clouds inscribed ‘Illegal Insurance’ (cf. British Museum Satires No. 7750); he says, “That’s your sort – I’m in for it – I shall do the deep Ones!” The other two shout, “Go it! Dam’me! that ‘s your sort!” and “Dam Trade! Life and a Racer! that ‘s your sort.” Behind this group is a couple on a galloping horse: a stout jovial woman wearing breeches rides astride, waving her whip, behind her sits an anxious-looking elderly citizen, wearing petticoats. He says, “We’re the wrong side of Temple Bar, my dear, we are only the sort to be laughed at”; she answers, “Peace good Mr Jerry Candle-wick, its life! and Life and the Breeches! thats the sort.” By their horse’s head is a signpost inscribed ‘Rotten Row’, with a pointing hand inscribed ‘Hoyle’ (on Whist), the vertical post inscribed ‘Crim. con.’ The last rider is a stout woman, probably Mrs. Hobart (noted for her faro-table, see British Museum Satires No. 8167), on a rocking-horse inscribed ‘Faro’; she carries on her arm a wicker cage containing pigeons and says, “Unplucked Pidgeons! that’s the sort.” In the foreground on the extreme right an elderly Jew sits on a bank watching the mad race with a smile; he says, “50 per Cent! dats de sort! if dey ride to de Devil, dey leave coot Security behind, Ah! Security! dot’s de sort.” Near him is a card house; at his feet is the Knave of Clubs. In the front of the design and near the Duke of York are other playing cards (left to right): four aces, the two of diamonds, King of Hearts, and (?) Queen of Diamonds, the last two having some resemblance to George III and Queen Charlotte.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • PrintmakerDent, William, active 1783-1793, printmaker.
  • TitleRoad to ruin [graphic].
  • Publication[London] : Pubd. by W. Dent, March 20, 1792.

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

792.03.20.02+

Acquired October 2016

Taking leave

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Fox (right), hat in hand, bows humbly before Bonaparte (left), who stands arrogantly, arms akimbo, head in profile to the right. The First Consul wears military uniform, boots, an enormous sword; on his head is a mural crown decorated with a cannon and skull and cross-bones, and bristling with sabres, pistols and daggers. Both men are shown full-length and in profile.

  • PrintmakerRowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, printmaker.
  • TitleTaking leave [graphic].
  • PublishedLondon : Pubd. Novr. 12, 1802 by W Holland No. 11 Cockspur Street, (removed from Oxford Street, [12 November 1802]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

802.11.12.03

Acquired November 2014

The magnanimous minister chastiseing [sic] Prussian perfidy

Click for larger image

“Fox, wearing a military cocked hat, with civilian dress, threatens Prussia (or Frederick William III) with his sabre, while he puts a foot on the sword that Prussia has dropped. The latter, a grotesque figure with a long pigtail and moustaches, kneels terrified at his feet, clasping his hands in supplication. Fox says, with an expression of sour and calculating contempt, ” – O you Prussian Marauder, you! – what I’ve caught you at last? – what, You took me for a double-faced-Talleyrand! did you? – did you think I was like yourself, to Look One way & Row another? – what you thought because I make Loyal Speeches now, that I must be a Turncoat? – O you Frenchified Villain! – I’ll teach you to humbug & insult my poor, dear, dear Master? – & to join with such Rascals as Boney, & O’Conner!” Prussia exclaims, terrified, “indeed! indeed! indeed! I could not help it. – ” Meanwhile, Napoleon, holding his sabre, and wearing feathered bicorne, with spurred jack-boots, furtively hastens up to Fox from behind, to read the open book which the latter displays to him behind his back: ‘State of the Nation’.

  • Printmaker: Gillray, James, 1756-1815, printmaker.
  • Title: The magnanimous minister chastiseing [sic] Prussian perfidy [graphic] / Jas. Gillray delt.
  • Created: [London : s.n, ca. 2 May 1806?]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

806.05.02.01+

Acquired November 2013

Britannia between death and the doctor’s

Click for larger image

A satire of Pitt’s return to office in 1804. Pitt is shown in the chamber of Britannia. Britannia sits listlessly on a bed, holding a sword in one hand. Next to her, leaning against the bed, is her shield and olive branches. Pitt holds aloft a bottle labelled “Constitutional Restorative” as he kicks another man, a caricature of Addington, through the door. Addington is in the process of dropping a bottle labelled “Composing Draft”. With his other foot, Pitt steps on the face of a flailing and prostrate Fox, who holds a bottle labelled “Rebublican Balsam” towards Britannia. From Fox’s pocket dice and a dice container labelled “Whig Pills” have fallen. Emerging from behind the bed curtains, the figure of Death, a skeleton with the face and plumed bicorne of Napoleon, overturns a table and upsets bottles of medicine and points his sword toward the unsuspecting Britannia.

  • Printmaker: Gillray, James, 1756-1815, printmaker, artist.
  • Title: Britannia between death and the doctor’s [sic] [graphic] : “Death may decide when doctor’s [sic] disagree” / Js. Gillray inv. et fect.
  • Published: [London] : Publish’d May 20th 1804 by H. Humphrey, [20 May 1804]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

804.05.20.02+

Acquired November 2013

The first of April

CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE: The first of April

On the left, Charles James Fox sits on a chair, his gouty left foot resting on a stool, his right hand holding a crutch. Behind him is a paper which reads “Plan to discharge the Nation Debt”. His right arm reaches out to an angry group of citizens confronting him with their complaints and pleads for relief as he address them: “Gentlemen! I have been looking over my affairs, and give you my word of Honor you shall all be paid this day twelve month.” A butcher, baker, orphan child, a nurse and other troubled citizens voice their complaints in separate speech bubbles.

  • Printmaker: Collings, Samuel.
  • Title: The first of April, or, A meeting of creditors / SC [monogram] fect.
  • Published: [London] : As the Act directs published March 28, 1785 by W. Humphrey, Strand, [28 Mar. 1785].

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

Acquired October 2011.

The fox and stork

The fox and stork

A stork with the head of Shelburne is shown with its beak buried in the long neck of a glass jar labeled “The Treasury Jar”. He smiles triumphantly as he picks up the gold guineas at the bottom; around his neck is the Garter ribbon. To his left is a fox with the bushy eyebrows, bulbous nose, and hairy chin of Charles Fox; he stands with his paws on the jar and a melancholy expression at the inaccessible treasure.

  • Author: Colley, Thomas, fl. 1780-1783, printmaker.
  • Title: The fox and stork  / T. Colley fecet [sic].
  • Published: [London] : Pubd. by W. Humphrey Jany. 14, 1783, No. 227 Strand, [14 Jan. 1783].

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

Acquired October, 2011 by the Lewis Walpole Library.