Prince Pitt [graphic].

[London] : [publisher not identified], [1788]

1 print : etching ; sheet 46.5 x 28.5 cm

wove paper.

Lewis Walpole Library: Local card catalog suggests that this is also a reference to Horace Walpole.

Either a copy or the original of British Museum satire no. 7388, in any event similar design except that Sydney, the coronet, and the tailor's goose are absent and inscriptions have been added; the satire alludes to taxes imposed by Pitt prior to 1788. The Prince says: "I appeal to the People of England to defend their own Rights and those of the House of Brunswick against this Banditti of Plunderers". Richmond says: "Tho' a Bastard of the Stuart Race, I have only 17,000£,per Ann: from the Poor, for my duty on Coals - make it 20,000 Prince Pitt, and I am yours for ever." (An allusion to the 'Richmond shilling', see BMSat 7393.) Grafton says: "I am as good a bastard as R------d, & yet I have only 6 or 7000£ a year upon the Excise on Wine & spiritous liquors - But Prince Pitt has promis'd me an additional Tax on Malt." Pitt says: "The Prince of Wales has no more right to the rightegency than I have." The paper in his hand is inscribed, not 'Dornford's Address', but 'Shop Tax Window Tax Candles Tax Horse Tax Hat Tax Westminster Scrutiny Irish Propositions Fortification Schemes Degradation of Naval Officers Excise Laws &c. &c. &c. &c.'"

Cut purse of the empire and the rule that from a shelf the precious diadem stole ...

English

February 25, 2008

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 6, no. 7389