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

Quite politely

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A gentleman in a riding habit (left) rides his horse through the door of a cottage startling the family who sit at their dinner table. The man’s hunting dog jumps at the young son who sits closest to the door; he screams in terror, his fork and knife frozen part way to his mouth and his leg thrown up, spilling a pitcher from the table. The mother raises up her arms in terror, letting the cutlery fly; in her mouth is a gnawed bone. Behind her is a wall with shelves lined with dishes and mugs. Her husband (right), back to the viewer, turns to the intruder pointing a long spear. His knife and fork are on the floor below his chair. The gentleman addresses the cottagers, “Och, dont disturb y’rselves my Nonies I only want to know whether you cou’d be after informing me where I cou’d meet with a decent night’s lodging for man and beast.”

  • Creator: Grant, C. J. (Charles Jameson), active 1830-1852, artist.
  • Title: Quite politely [drawing].
  • Created: [England], [between 1830 and 1852?]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

Drawings G761 no. 6 Box123

Acquired November 2013

The fox at the cupboard

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A view of the interior of a cottage with an old woman asleep in a chair, her feet resting on a low footstool in front of open door (left); in her lap she holds an open book and a pair of spectacles. On the right, a boy in a smock stands on a stool in front of an open cupboard eating from a full bowl. Along the back wall is a pair of casement windows with a drop leaf table below and pictures on the wall to the left. A cat walks across the center of the scene looking up at the boy.

  • Creator: Grant, C. J. (Charles Jameson), active 1830-1852, artist.
  • Title: The fox at the cupboard [drawing].
  • Created: [England, between 1830 and 1852?]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

Drawings G761 no. 5 Box123

Acquired November 2013

The hungry epicure disappointed

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A man with a queue wig and wearing spectacles (right) sits expectantly at a small round tea table set for two; his hands on the table clutch his knife and fork, his napkin tied around his neck like a bib. He leans forward as he eyes the food approach carried by a woman in a mop cap and wearing spectacles who stands full length (left) holding a long handled frying pan heaped high with dark ashes. He says, “Come, come, Dame isn’t my eggs and bacon done yet. I’m literally famish’d in waiting.” She replies, “I am very sorry to inform your worship that just as I had done ’em so nice all this here soot fell into the pan.”

  • Creator: Grant, C. J. (Charles Jameson), active 1830-1852, artist.
  • Title: The hungry epicure disappointed [drawing].
  • Created: [England, between 1830 and 1852?]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

Drawings G761 no. 8 Box120

Acquired November 2013