Making-decent [graphic] : i.e. broad-bottomites getting into the grand costume.

[London] : Pubd. Feby., 1806 by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly, [February 1806]

1 print : etching ; plate mark 24.8 x 35 cm, on sheet 26 x 36 cm

wove paper

"Members of the new Ministry in a handsome room prepare themselves for office, each intent on his toilet. Both Fox and Grey look into a large pier-glass on the extreme left., whose frame is surmounted by the Royal Arms and Prince's feathers, indicating Carlton House and the Prince's 'ostentatious patronage' of the new Ministry. [W. Fitzpatrick, 'H.M.C., Dropmore MSS.' viii, p. viii.] Fox (Foreign Secretary), wearing a tattered shirt, shaves, holding a small bowl filled with lather. On a chair are the coat (blue with red facings, the Windsor uniform) and feathered cocked hat which he is about to put on; against it leans a sword with a jewelled hilt, while his discarded coat and bonnet rouge with tricolour cockade lie beneath it. Beside him stands the taller Grey, brushing his teeth. He wears naval uniform (as First Lord) Behind him, also in profile to the left., stands Sidmouth (Lord Privy Seal), his head and shoulders the centre of clouds of powder, which Vansittart is puffing at him from a powdering-bag. His Windsor uniform is protected by a long towel; in his coat pocket is a clyster-pipe (see BMSat 9849). In the foreground little Lord Henry Petty struts with pointed toe, delighted at the effect of his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown, which trails on the ground behind him, far too long. Windham (Secretary for War and Colonies), behind him, sits full face over a tub, washing his feet; he wears waistcoat and rolled-up shirt-sleeves; his hat and stockings are on the ground. Next is the centre figure, Lord Grenville (First Lord of the Treasury), in shirt and bag-wig, hitching up his breeches, and thus accentuating his heavy posteriors, which gave a second meaning to the term Broad-bottom Ministry (see BMSat 10530). Moira (Master of the Ordnance) stands stiffly with his back to the wall, tying his high black stock. He wears regimentals with boots and cocked hat. The Duke of Bedford, very neat in shirt and breeches, sits on a stool pulling on a top-boot, resting his leg on the left shoulder of Tierney, who sits at his feet, drawing on a Hessian boot. Both are in profile to the right., and are preparing for a journey to Ireland. Beside Bedford are two papers: 'New way of Improving the Irish-Breed of Black Cattle' and 'Road from Wooburn Farm to Ireland' [on this Tierney is sitting]. Behind Bedford, Sheridan struggles into a shirt; on the wall hangs his discarded Harlequin dress with mask and wooden sword (see BMSat 9916). Lord Spencer (Home Secretary), behind and on the r. of Sheridan, in waistcoat and shirt-sleeves, washes his hands in a basin on a table. On the extreme right. is the corner of a dressing-table, in the mirror of which Erskine delightedly adjusts his hat over his Chancellor's wig. He wears an enormously long Chancellor's gown with the Purse of the Great Seal hanging from his arm. Behind him on the wall hangs his discarded barrister's wig. The mace, reversed, leans against the table."--British Museum online catalogue.

English

January 20, 2009

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8, no. 10531a