The fall of the Wolsey of the Woolsack [graphic].

[London] : Pubd. May 24th, 1792, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street, [24 May 1792]

1 print : etching ; sheet 26 x 36 cm

wove paper

Temporary local subject terms: Allusion to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, 1475-1530 -- Nicknames: 'Old Nobbs' (George III) -- Expressions of speech: George III's 'what, what, what' -- Government officials: chancellor -- Dismissals: Thurlow's dismissal from Chancery, 1792 -- Great Seal -- Tug-of-war -- Containers: woolsack.

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.

"Thurlow, seated on the Woolsack, and George III who stands on the extreme left, tug at the bag of the Great Seal, while Pitt and Grenville (right) attempt to dislodge the Chancellor. The King, in profile to the right, tugs with both hands, saying, "What! What! What! - pull against me Neddy? pull against me? - no! no! no! - 'twont do! Neddy! 'twont do! leave go! leave go! Neddy - dont put me in a passion Neddy - but leave go Neddy - " Thurlow, holding one tassel, says: "Take it ingrate! - and then farewell, - O damnation I've touched the highest point of all my greatness - damnation And from that full meridian of my glory - damnation I haste now to my setting - I shall fall - damnation Like a bright exhalation in the evening - damnation And no man see me more - Damnation! O damnation" Pitt, kneeling on one knee, tugs with both hands at the back of the woolsack, saying, "Yeo! Yeo! - this one pull more Billy-Ranger, and we shall secure every thing into our own Family, and then leave me alone to take a pull at Old Nobbs [the King], & John Bull." Grenville, also on one knee, pulls with both hands at the Chancellor's wig; he says, "Bravo! Cousin Billy! - pull away! - now again! - I have a mighty fancy for this Wig! I think it would add dignity to my Ranger, & Secretaryship!"."--British Museum online catalogue.

English

March 08, 2007