Iohn Bull as Justice weighing a commander [graphic].

[London] : Pubd. by J. Johnstone, 101 Cheapside, April 1809.

1 print : etching ; plate mark 34.9 x 25 cm, on sheet 38 x 27 cm

wove paper

From the collection of Paul McCarron, sold at Dennis Auction Service, Stewartsville, New Jersey, 16 November 2018.

"John Bull, blindfold, stands on a massive truncated pillar holding the beam of a pair of scales. In one scale (left), near the ground, Mrs. Clarke sits composedly among a mass of papers, holding one inscribed My dear Dearest Dearest Darling [see British Museum satires no. 11228, &c.]. The others are inscribed: Sandon, Toyne [Tonyn], Dowler, Omeara, Carter, French, Knight, Clavering. In the other scale the Duke of York swings high in the air, and shouts down to three men on the ground: Save me save me Save my Honour [cf. British Museum satires no. 11269]. They haul hard at ropes attached to his scale, which they tilt sideways so that he is in danger of falling out. One, a drink-blotched bishop wearing a mitre, says: Pull away Pull away the Church is in danger; the other two say: Pull away Pull away we lose all our Places, and Pull away pull away we shall lose our Noble Commander. On the pillar Britannia is depicted seated with her shield and lion; she holds the broken staff of a flag."--British Museum online catalogue.

John Bull as Justice weighing a commander

English

September 27, 2019

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 8, no. 11304