The C-r-l--e Column [graphic]

"Queen Caroline, not caricatured, wearing Bergami's miniature as in British Museum Satires No. 14103, &c., stands on the summit of a column holding out a paper inscribed 'R+G+NA still in spite of them.' Her left hand supports a medallion, inscribed 'Knight of Saint Caroline' [see British Museum Satires No. 13810], on which is a realistic bust portrait of Bergami, wearing an order, the head much larger than her own. Beside it on the capital stand two billing doves. The pedestal, which stands on a triple plinth, is inscribed 'This Column is intended to perpetuate the glorious adventures of an I - L - - T - - - - S F - M - - E' [illustrious female]. Two figures flank the pedestal, standing on the upper plinth: on the left the Princess, in scanty draperies as the 'Neapolitan Muse of History' [see British Museum Satires No. 13890, &c.], holds an open book: 'Boccaccio illustrated.' On the right, in contemporary dress, and garlanded with roses, she is 'Columbine of Como' [see British Museum Satires No. 14120, &c.]; she wears a simple garden hat in which are three peacock's feathers, cf. British Museum Satires No. 13299, &c. This plinth is centred by a Maltese cross supported by lion and unicorn. Above the pedestal and at the base of the column crouch two satyrs holding between them a ribbon inscribed 'Order of Saint Caroline' [see British Museum Satires No. 13810, &c.] from which dangles a large Maltese cross; one holds up a bottle of 'Acqua Vita', the other a goblet of wine. On the column are five realistic little scenes, divided by captions on a spiral border, incidents of the Princess's travels as related by the witnesses against her. These are, reading upwards: '[Ri]ding to Jerusalem'; she heads the procession on an ass (see British Museum Satires No. 13918, &c.). 'In the Tent', she and Bergami on adjacent couches, see British Museum Satires No. 13818. 'Taking a bath'; Bergami fills the bath in which she sits (see British Museum Satires No. 13819). 'On board the Polacre' [see British Museum Satires No. 13818]; Bergami sits on a cannon embracing the Princess who is on his knee. 'Returning with pillow'; she walks from a room in which Bergami lies (see British Museum Satires No. 13822, &c.). Above, and at the Princess's feet, is the inscription: 'Pleasures obtained with 30.000 Per annm'. The column is flanked by a trophy of eight banners, with inscriptions, all surmounted by emblems of societies which had supposedly presented Addresses to the Queen (cf. British Museum Satires No. 14119). On the left: 'Ladies Address--Birds of a Feather signed Queens Own'. This is surmounted by a crouching satyr-Cupid aiming his bow. Next, surmounted by a brush: 'Chimney sweepers--who says touching makes dirt.' Next, a banner with two white favours topped by a handbell: 'Honble Company of Dustmen--Dust-Ho!' Last, the flag of the 'Taylors NB Patches put on', is surmounted by goose (bird) and shears. On the right a tattered flag supports a pair of breeches: 'Breeches Makers--Where does honour lie.' Above this, a flag inscribed 'Nightmen call it Filth Tis Cleanliness' is surmounted by a lantern and a bundle of rods. Next, a large white flag is inscribed 'Bricklayers Plaisterers and Whitewashers', and is surmounted by trowel, hod, line, and level. A flag with the butchers' emblem, marrow-bones and cleaver, is inscribed 'Procumbit humi bos Bergamo'. The whole is flanked at the base by two figures: Wood (left), wearing a furred gown, and with a long staff, shouts, holding up a huge cocked hat inscribed 'Un-Adulterated'; on hat and breast are enormous white favours; in his pocket is a paper: 'A powerful Substitute for Malt & Hops'. On the right a ragged newsboy blows his horn; he holds a sheaf of 'The Times', and on his hat are a large favour and a paper: 'Glorious News'."--British Museum online catalogue