Publication
[London] : Pubd. Feby. 1st, 1798, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street, [1 February 1798]
Provenance
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.
Summary
"The windlass (right) is turned by Bedford, in profile to the left, Fox, in back view but looking to the raft (left), Sheridan, in profile to the right, and Tierney, coming towards the spectator. From Bedford's pocket hangs a paper: '£1400 Fined, for False Entry of Servants'. All are running, but it is clear that huge waves raised by Pitt will swamp the raft before it reaches shore. All wear coats except Fox, whose coat lies on the ground beside a paper: 'List of the New Republican Ministry. Citizen Volpone, Premier..'.. Fox's shirt is tattered, his hair is tied by a tricolour ribbon. Pitt's profile emerges from clouds in the upper (right) corner; his blast spreads as it reaches the raft, developing into flashes of lightning ..."--British Museum online catalogue.
References
Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 7, no. 9167
Wright, T. Works of James Gillray, the caricaturist, p. 234
Wright, T. Historical and descriptive account of the caricatures by James Gillray, no. 175