- Author: Despiau, L.
- Uniform Title: [Choix d’amusements physiques et mathématiques. English]
- Title: Select amusements in philosophy and mathematics : proper for agreeably exercising the minds of youth / translated from the French of M.L. Despiau ; with several corrections and additions, particularly a large table of the chances or odds at play ; the whole recommended as an useful book for schools, by Dr. Hutton.
- Publication: London : Printed for G. Kearsley, Fleet Street ; Edinburgh : Bell and Bradfute and Brash and Reid, Glasgow, 1801.
659 801Se
Acquired October 2019
An album of sketches largely comprised of images drawn by a traveller in central and southern 
“Ten ladies, arranged in two rows, with numbers referring to notes etched beneath the design, their proposed offices etched above their heads. … ‘(1) First Lady of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer.’ The ‘Duc – ss of Gor-n’ (Pitt’s friend), wearing a tartan drapery, sits at a writing-table. Facing her, with outstretched right arm, is ‘(2) President of the Council and Duc-ss of Ric-nd.’ ‘(3) Lady High Chancellor is the Coun-ss of Buc-s-e’, very short and fat, in wig and gown and holding the purse of the Great Seal. Facing her is ‘(4) Chamberlain’, who is ‘Margr-ne of Ans-h’, wearing a coronet and feathers, and holding a long wand of office. ‘(5) Mistress of the Horse’ holding a whip is ‘Lady Arc-r.’ ‘(6) First Lady of the Admiralty’ is ‘Mrs Jo-n’, with her arms folded, in profile to the right, as if playing the part of Priscilla Hoyden in ‘The Romp’, see British Museum Satires No. 6875, but wearing a naval cocked hat, emblem of her liaison with the Duke of Clarence, see British Museum Satires No. 9009. Facing her is ‘(7) Secretary of War & Capn of the Guards, La-y Wa-ce’ (sister of No. 1); she wears a military cocked hat and coat with epaulettes, her hands placed truculently on her hips. (Her friendship with Dumouriez is perhaps hinted at.) ‘(8) Mistress of the Buck Hounds’, is ‘March-ss of Sa-ry’, thin and weatherbeaten, holding two hounds on a leash, ‘(9) Ranger of Hyde Park’, is ‘La-y La-e’ (wife of Sir John Lade) wearing a riding-habit and holding a riding-switch. ‘(10) Post Mistress General and Inspector of Mis-sent Letters’ is ‘La-y Je-y’. She sits at a round table on which are many letters and appliances for opening and re-sealing them, including a spirit-lamp inscribed ‘Hot water’. She holds a lighted candle and peers through spectacles at a sealed letter.”–British Museum online catalogue.
In seven scenes in a design of two tiers, citizens dispute the oppressive fees imposed by a zealous tax collector who 
“A low platform covered with roses extends almost across the design; from this bed new Ministers advancing from the left are ejecting the old. Roses are scattered on the floor. The central figure is the tall and handsome Castlereagh, author of the phrase, see British Museum satires No. 10558, &c. With a taut two-stringed bow in his left hand, a quiver on his shoulders, he strides across Grenville who is on his back on the bed, and takes ‘Candle End[s] & Cheese Paring[s]’ from a bag with which Windham tries to make off (see British Museum Satires No. 9735). He says: “I’d have you to know I’ve two strings to my Bow!! Down, Down, Down, Derry Down!!” [See British Museum satires No. 10426.] Behind him, Portland threatens Grenville (in his peer’s robe) with a big block of ‘Portland Stone’ [see British Museum Satires No. 10718, &c.]. In front of Windham Rose steps forward from the bed to grasp a large rose on the floor: ‘Treasurership of the Navy.’ This Sheridan, in his Harlequin’s suit (see British Museum Satires No. 9916), is crawling towards, saying, “Just got into my first Nap – how – Unfortunate – come Sir fat touch that however.” Rose holds up a pair of bellows inscribed ‘Sing old Rose & burn the Bellows’. Eldon, in Chancellor’s wig and gown, strides from the bed on to the prostrate Erskine, seizing the Purse of the Great Seal, whose cord is still round the latter’s arm. He raises the mace to strike the ex-Chancellor, whose wig has fallen off. Erskine says: “Be quiet I’ll retire”; he holds a money-bag inscribed ‘4,000 Pr Anm’ [see British Museum Satires No. 10714]. Lauderdale, wearing a plaid, is behind him on the ground. On the extreme left Canning, standing on the bed, holds up a massive club inscribed ‘Bon Mots & Repartee by G C–g’; he stoops over Howick pointing at the ‘Catholic Bill’, which the latter holds. Howick steps from the bed, angrily looking up at Canning (his especial enemy, cf. British Museum Satires No. 10972), but, unlike his colleagues, not devoid of dignity. On the ground between Howick and Sheridan is Petty in his gown, one hand on his ‘Budget’, a small bag, the other on a sheaf of papers inscribed ‘Ways & Means’. He says: “Bless me I wish I was safe in College I’d never have anything more to do with Taxes” [an allusion to his youth, and to the fact that he was M.P. for Cambridge]. In the background (right) are Moira in his cocked hat and Lord Temple who makes off rapidly.”–British Museum online catalogue.
“Ministers recline on a large low platform, representing a magnificent state bed, which is completely covered with roses. It recedes in perspective from left to right. On the left is Fox, looking sourly over his left shoulder at his neighbour, Sheridan, to say: “This is the most uncomfortable bed I was ever on in my Life and not the least like a bed of Roses – Zound!! what a thorn is running into me – Oh that Bramble – Sherry my Dear how do you find it – “. Sheridan answers: “My dear Charley, I have not had a wink since I have been on it, – curse that Castle man what did he mean by his bed of roses – I am as sore from the tip of my Nose, to the tip of my Toe – as if I had been roling on a quick set-hedge – or stung to death by a swarm of bees at a Hampshire Farmers [an allusion to Cobbett’s pen]”. Behind Fox, and in profile to the left, Moira, in uniform, with cocked hat and jack-boots, sits up, very erect; he says: “What are Cannons or Bombs or clashing of swords, compared to the pain I endure.” Windham, next Sheridan, registering melancholy, says: “I feel more uneasy than if the whole Volunteer force was upon me.” Ellenborough, behind Sheridan and Windham, ill-temperedly puts his hand to his wig. Erskine, also in wig and gown, reclines as if exhausted, his eyes closed, his attitude characteristic of his notorious fainting in court (see British Museum Satires No. 7956). He and Grey (Lord Howick from 11 Apr.), who sits behind him, are in profile to the right; the latter says: “It is just such a bed, as I expected the late bungling bed makers would leave us.” On the extreme right little Lord Henry Petty (wearing his Chancellor of the Exchequer’s gown) sits up, angrily holding above his head two handfuls of thorn-branches. He says: “I shall never have done clearing the brambles and Nettles from this Bed, my Budget would not hold one half of them.” The low frame of the bed is carved and has a valance of fringed and festooned draperies. At the head are the Royal Arms; looped curtains are suspended above it.”–British Museum online catalogue.