The political strugle [sic] [graphic].

[London?] : [publisher not identified], [1762]

1 print : etching ; plate mark 17.5 x 27.3 cm, on sheet 19 x 28 cm

laid paper.

"The Princess of Wales and the Earl of Bute drag the British Lion, or George III, in a small car, such as children use, decorated with a big Thistle; on the king's head is a very large jack boot, which, falling over his face, blinds him. Pitt leans over the balcony and endeavours to remove the boot, i.e. to deliver the British Lion from the influence of Bute. The Duke of Cumberland, very fat, wearing the costume supposed to be appropriate to Roman generals, rushes forward to aid the king, his nephew. A soldier, a sailor, and a lawyer endeavour to hold back a wheel of the car, pulling at a rope attached to it. A number of persons, male and female, stand under the balcony and look on. In the background a harbour is indicated by the masts of ships. On our left is "THE OLD BRITISH WARE HOUSE", from which merchants are despatching bales of goods to "Pondicherry", "Martinico 1'', "Guadeloup", "Louisbourg", and "Quebec". These are the names of places captured from the French during the war which it was proposed to conclude by the peace promoted by Lord Bute, and agreed to in 1762. A Frenchman and a Spaniard, colonists (?), are receiving these goods in an amicable way. ... This satire was doubtless designed to induce the ministry of Lord Bute to desist from surrendering the places in question to the French as, even thus early in the negotiations, it was rumoured they intended to do. ...The minister and the princess drag the car towards a "Hosptial for Scoth pensioners." On our right, at the windows, three Scotchmen appear. Hogarth, mounted on a ladder, is busily painting a Scotch Thistle on the sign of the hospital. On his paint-pot is written: "500 250". This refers to Hogarth as the recipient of a pension, or rather as Serjeant-Painter to the king, and especially to the publication of "The Times. Plate I” ..."--British Museum catalogue.

English

January 15, 2009