W.A.R a masque

description below

“William IV, as Mars, in Roman armour, stands defiantly in a war-chariot drawn by three galloping horses, ridden by Discord, a virago with serpents for hair, who brandishes a handful of serpents. He holds a shield inscribed ‘Signed Protocols’, and a levelled spear; on his helmet is a dragon with gaping jaws. The chariot advances upon terrified Dutch soldiers (left), who flee; one drops his musket, but one on the extreme left (William I) stands firm beside the muzzle of a cannon and glares at the King with an obstinate scowl. They have high-crowned hats, with a ribbon inscribed ‘Orange’. Facing the chariot-horses (left) are a menacing Russian bear and a Prussian Death’s Head hussar with a levelled blunderbuss. Discord, looking sideways at the Prussian though turning away from him, says: ‘A word in your Ear! there’s nothing meant, its all show just to frighten these Dutchmen a little’. Under the chariot is a document inscribed ‘Treatys’; the wheel is about to collide with a large stone inscribed ‘Ireland’, on which the features of O’Connell are faintly suggested. Behind the chariot are three Furies, with serpents for hair, and holding firebrands and bunches of serpents. Rushing forward, they urge the King on; they are (left to right) Grey, Durham, and Brougham. As a background to the chariot a swarm of countless frogs (French soldiers) is dimly suggested; they rush forward, with a tricolour flag. On the front of the chariot perches a Gallic cock. In the foreground (right) stands John Bull, stout and spectacled; he clutches his ‘Reform Bill’, and gapes up in horror, saying, ‘Hey dey here’s a bobbery, just as I was going to look over my Reform Bill quietly, what do they mean not to go to war sure now,!! after suffering Poland to be annihilated & Germany trampled on, Oh nonsense! Nonsense’.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Seymour, Robert, 1798-1836, printmaker.
  • Title: W.A.R [graphic] : a masque.
  • Publication: [London] : [T. McLean], [1 November 1832]

Catalog Record

832.11.01.01+

Acquired June 2024

A king-fisher, and a water-wag-tail

description below

A caricature of George IV fishing on Virginia Water, using his scepter as a rod, watched by a kingfisher and a wagtail. On the end of his line is a frog, which is being netted by Lady Conyngham, his mistress.

  • Title: A king-fisher, and a water-wag-tail [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. Jul. 13, 1826, by J. Fairburn, Broadway, Ludgate Hill, [13 July 1826]

Catalog Record

836.07.13.01+

Acquired September 2023

The traytors coat of arms

lwlpr35016-807x1024

A broadside, anti-Jacobite, anti-Catholic and anti-French. The lilies of the French Royal arms changed to upside down frogs and the legitimacy of the Stewart line questioned by the inclusion of the bed-pan child over the priest’s shoulder.

  • TitleThe traytors coat of arms [graphic].
  • Publication[London?] : [publisher not identified], publish’d September the 16th, 1746, according to act of Parliament.

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

746.09.16.01++

Acquired October 2016