Object types
satirical print (scope note | all objects)
print (scope note | all objects)
Title (object)
Quarrel & Reconciliation
Materials
paper (all objects)
Techniques
etching (scope note | all objects)
Production person
Print made by William Dent (biographical details | all objects)
Published by J (or W) Dickie (biographical details | all objects)
Published by William Moore (biographical details | all objects)
Production place
Published in London (scope note | all objects)
Date
1788
Schools /Styles
British (all objects)
Description
A scene in the House of Commons. Two men stand on the floor of the House shaking hands: a tall stout man (the large and uncouth Sir James Johnstone, M.P. for Dumfries) (right), holding his hat and a thick walking-stick, takes the hand of a small slim man wearing a star (Lord Mornington). [He is identified by E. Hawkins as Johnstone, but the account of the dispute in the 'London Chronicle' makes it clear that he is Lord Mornington, K.P., M.P. for Windsor, who was abused by Johnstone, not by Sumner (whose name is given to Johnstone).] The former says, frowning, "Damn me if I make submission !" The latter answers, "Then Dem me if I fight you!" On the extreme right is the Speaker in his chair holding out his hat and saying "Order, Order, order". Pitt (left), by the table, says, bowing politely to Fox who stands opposite him, "I think some concession necessary". Fox, equally polite, answers undoubtedly. Behind (left) are the ministerial benches. Kenyon stands, saying, "O fie Gentlemen, dont talk of the morning". A seated member with remarkably bushy eyebrows, holding a thick tasselled cane, says, "Pray make it up, do pray". On the ground (right) is a paper: "Proxy to attend during Prayers for Sir J------J------". Beneath the title is etched: "A whole Assembly could not make up a Quarrel between the Lacedemonian Orator, and a Knight of St. Patrick, till the latter thought of an if, as, if you had said so elsewhere, then I had done so and so; and they shook hands, and swore Brothers - your if is the only peace-maker - much virtue in if - Parody from As you like it -
See the Debates of last Friday -
Subsequent Apology'
After the last words is etched a wine-bottle. 14 May 1788
Etching
Inscriptions
Inscription Content: Lettered with title, seven lines with a parody from 'As you like it', and publication details: "Executed confessedly by Tipple / Pubd by W.Dent May 14th 1788 as the Act directs. Sold W.Moore, No.48 New Bond Street, & W.Dickie Strand."
Dimensions
Height: 274 millimetres
Width: 197 millimetres
Curator's comments
(Description and comment from M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VI, 1938)
On 9 May 1788, during a debate on the proposed impeachment of Impey, Sir James Johnstone, M.P. for Dumfries, entered 'rather inflamed with liquor' and complained that a gentleman had taken the seat in which he had placed his hat and a piece of paper with his name; having been at prayers he claimed the seat according to the order of the House. Mr. Sumner said 'he had found the seat unoccupied, without either paper or hat, and he was only prevented from giving it up by the manner in which it was asked for'. Mornington intervened and Johnstone spoke offensively to him and to Sumner. Pitt then called upon Johnstone to apologize to Mornington, and was supported by the Speaker; Johnstone, however, threatened Mornington, but was induced to apologize by the Speaker and by Mornington's conciliatory attitude. 'London Chronicle', 12 May 1788. The disturbance to the debate, which lasted till after 7 a.m., is mentioned by Elliot, 'Life and Letters', 1874, i. 202, and Burges, 'Letters and Correspondence', 1885, pp. 99-100.
Subject
satire (scope note | all objects)
Associated names
Associated with Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon (biographical details | all objects)
Associated with William Pitt the Younger (biographical details | all objects)
Associated with Charles James Fox (biographical details | all objects)
Associated with Charles Wolfran Cornwall (biographical details | all objects)
Acquisition date
1868
Acquisition name
Purchased from Edward Hawkins (biographical details | all objects)
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