Tag Archives: Kneeling

The city address

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“The King, plainly dressed in black, tries to hide, ostrich-like, from the two Sheriffs of London, who kneel before him, holding their wands of office. The foremost, on both knees, his hand on his heart, says: We are deputed by the Corporation to wait upon your M—-ty most humbly to know when it will be convenient to receive the dutiful address of your M—-tys ancient and loyal City of London. The second sheriff, less obsequious, says: The Citizens are suprised at yr M—-tys Backwardness, the Corporation looks blue, and the Lord Mayor is in a Brown Study. The King, poised on his toes, stoops over the throne, a plain arm-chair, as if to take cover, looking behind him from the corners of his averted eyes. He says: I’m not at home. An elderly Lord Chamberlain, also in black, leans forward on tiptoe, supporting himself on the back of the throne, one arm held out above the King’s bent back with a gesture of negation to the Sheriffs and protection to the King, saying, He say’s “he’s not at home! The title is centred by two heraldic turtles and the City’s motto: Domini Direge Nos [sic]..”–British Museum online catalogue

  • Printmaker: Heath, Henry, active 1824-1850, printmaker.
  • Title: The city address [graphic] / H. Heath.
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. June 22, 1827, at 26 Haymarket, [22 June 1827]

Catalog Record

827.06.22.01+

Acquired June 2024

Adulation, or, A coronation oration by the Jack Pudding of the nation

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“George IV, crowned, and with orb and sceptre, sits on a coronation chair in Westminster Abbey (right). The Archbishop, well characterized, stands beside him, holding his mitre, his right hand on the chair. On the King’s right hand stands Londonderry (Castlereagh) in Garter robes; other peers stand behind him. All watch the antics of Canning, dressed in parti-coloured clothes as a merry-andrew or buffoon. He kneels on the dais at the King’s feet, arms flung wide; at his feet is a high-crowned hat with a peacock’s feather; on the back of his tunic are the letters M P and P C. He declaims: The delight of the Nation at the Celebration of your Majesty’s Coronation, the Exultation throughout the Creation exceeds all Imagination. the Expectation to which the Anticipation of this Consumation has given occasion is beyond Contemplation; we offer the Oblation of our Congratulation, without Hesitation or Trepidation; no Tribulation can effect a Cessation of the Sensation which pervades every Station; no Situation in whatever Deprivation will utter an Execration for the Association are in Preparation to effect an Extirpation of all Defamation. We hope the Expectation of a Decollation will produce Annihilation of all Deviation from strict Regulation; we submit to Subjugation without Hesitation, and we offer our Oration with gratefull Adoration upon this Jollification. The King composedly touches (or kicks) Canning’s chin with his toe. Peeresses stand in a gallery across the north transept, holding their coronets. Above them is a second and more crowded gallery.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.
  • Title: Adulation, or, A coronation oration by the Jack Pudding of the nation [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. July 1821 by S.W. Fores, Piccadilly, [July 1821]

Catalog Record

821.07.00.04

Acquired September 2023