A tub for the whale! [graphic] / Js. Gillray invt. & fect.

[London] : Pubd. March 14th, 1806, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street, [14 March 1806]

1 print : etching & aquatint ; plate mark 24.7 x 36 cm, on sheet 29.1 x 40 cm

wove paper

From a collection in twelve volumes probably compiled by Francis Harvey and sold at auction, Sotheby, London, June 1900. Bequest of Hugh Dudley Auchincloss to Yale University Library, 1981. Bound by Riviere & Son in three-quarters red morocco with gold tooling and gold lettering on spine.

"A sea-monster (l.) with a cavernous mouth spouts two cascades which deluge an open packet-boat (r.) manned by the new Ministry; these are respectively 'Ridicule' and 'Contempt'. The monster has the horns of a bull and a lashing tail which churns up the water. The boat is in danger also from heavy waves; to her broken mast is lashed (with tricolour bands) a broom to which the single patched sail is tied. (A broom at the masthead signified that the ship was for sale.) This sail is filled by a blast from a wind or winged cherub with the head and shoulders of the Prince of Wales, wearing a round hat, with his feathers, and bulky cravat, and surrounded by heavy clouds. Between packet and whale is the barrel thrown out by the crew. This is inscribed 'Real Constitutional Spirits - No Maidstone' with the letters 'MT' [empty]. In the boat are (l. to r.) Erskine, Sheridan, Petty, Grenville (dressed as a naval officer), Windham, Spencer, Fox, Grey, and at the tiller, Lord Ellenborough in wig and gown. The most prominent are Fox and Grey who have just thrown the cask. It looks as if by means of the cask and the Prince the packet will escape the whale, and reach the calmer waters near the horizon. Partly above the horizon is a rising sun (cf. BMSat 10258) inscribed 'Power'; its rays are 'Cheese Parings', 'Candle Ends', 'Pluralities', 'Dissipation', 'Sensuality', 'Libertinism', 'Private Pickings'."--British Museum online catalogue.

English

June 03, 2015