Het beest van Babel is aan ‘t vluchten

description below

“A Dutch broadside satirising the arrival of William III in England and the overthrow of James II and his Roman Catholic policies; with an engraving showing in the foreground on the right William (7) in armour mounted on the Dutch lion (1), attacking the many-headed Babylonian dragon (2) with his lance. Above William flies the angel of Providence (3). To left, priests and Catholic officials (4) flee, some riding on goats, wolves and asses. The dragon carries the infant Prince of Wales holding a windmill (5) held by Father Petre (6). The lion rides over fallen monks and Jesuits (8) and two decapitated heads of the dragon. In the centre background William is received by English notables (9). To left, James (10) departs in a small boat from a shore with a ruined church; to right; he is received by Louis XIV (11), together with Mary of Modena and the infant Prince of Wales. With engraved title, false publication line “Gisling Geneve exc.”, and numbering 1-10, and with letterpress verses, including legend, in two columns.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Title: Het beest van Babel is aan ‘t vluchten [graphic] : de godsdienst heeft niet meer te duchten!.
  • Publication: [Amsterdam?] : Gisling Geneve exc. [that is, Romeyn de Hooghe?], [1688]

Catalog Record

688.00.00.01+

Acquired February 2024

Modern St. George attacking the monster of despotism

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“Burdett, wearing armour, attacks a seven-headed monster, which guards the gate of the Treasury, a heavy door in a stone arch (left). On his shield is a St. George’s Cross inscribed ‘Bill of Rights’ and ‘Magna Charta’; at his feet is the word ‘Independance’ [cf. British Museum Satires No. 10732]. He says: “I will Stand up for the Rights of the People Or Perish in the Attempt”. The monster has a scaly body, webbed and barbed wings, a barbed tail, and fierce talons; its seven serpent-like necks, terminating in human heads, are encircled by a collar inscribed ‘Coruption’ [in reversed characters). All spit at Burdett, three emit words: Perceval says: “I Perceive what hes Doing”; Croker says: “I begin to Croke”; a third, Lethbridge (identified by his words), says: “Bless me He makes my Hair stand on End like the Quills upon the fretfull Porcupine”. His hair is standing up, and is flanked by two locks which suggest ass’s ears. A profile resembles Windham; one head may be presumed to represent Yorke. Under the feet of the monster are three torn papers: ‘Act of Habeas Corpus’, ‘Compact between the King and the People’, ‘Petition of Right’.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Heath, William, 1795-1840, printmaker.
  • Title: Modern St. George attacking the monster of despotism [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pub. 6th of April by Fores, 50 Picadilli [sic], [6 April] 1810.

Catalog RecordĀ 

810.04.06.01+

Acquired October 2018