Suiters to Hibernia on her having a free trade [graphic].

[London] : Publish'd March 18, 1780, by I. Mills, No. 1 Ratcliff Row, London, [18 March 1780]

1 print : etching & engraving ; sheet 23 x 33 cm

"Hibernia (left) seated under a tree receives advances from four men representing France, Spain, Holland, and Portugal. She holds a spear, and a shield on which is the Irish harp. At her side is a large roll inscribed "Irish Linnen" and a corded bale or packing case. The tree is inscribed "Shelaley" [An obsolete form of shillelagh, the term for a cudgel deriving from "a wood of that name [in County Wicklow] famous for its oaks". Grose, 'Dict. Vulg. Tongue', 1785, cited O.E.D.] and a branch over Hibernia's head is encircled with a wreath inscribed "Shamroke". She says, "I was once the Wife of John Bull, but now Ive a License to trade for myself, my Ports are free for all Mankind to enter". Lord North looks from behind the trunk of the tree, saying, "Had it not been for the Disturbance in America you should never have had a free trade I'm as far North as any of you". France approaches, hat in hand, his right. hand outstretched, saying "I have no vear de Shirt since Fielding take de Holland vich Mynheer sent me, I'm forced to make shift vith de Ruffle, if you vill let me into your Port for to get a bit of Linnen, I vill give you de French P--x, vich is all I shall have left ven de var is over". (It was a common gibe among the English populace that Frenchmen wore ruffles without shirts.) Spain, wearing a feathered hat, cloak, and slashed doublet, says "Let me enter your Port I'll give you plenty of Spanish Gold for your Linnen, tho' if Rodney comes to see me often I shall have none left". Holland, wearing a high-crowned hat and smoking a pipe, says "I want apiece of Linnen to send to America, she wants a new Shift but can't come for it least she should catch cold, if you'll let me enter your Port I'll give you a Dutch Herring and a glass of Hollands after it to keep it from rising in your Stomach". Portugal, dressed like Spain, except that his doublet is not slashed, says "I keep a Vineyard in Portugall, if you'll let me into your Port, I'll supply you with Wine at a cheap rate for your Linnen, if you'll drink none from France or Spain.""--British Museum online catalogue.

Suitors to Hibernia on her having a free trade

English

November 19, 2004

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 5, no. 5653