- Museum number
- 1863,1114.203-206
- Description
-
Satirical pamphlet of 43 pages on George IV and the Queen Caroline affair containing a script written in verse entitled: 'The green bag: a farce.'
Lettered beneath the title: "Performing with great applause, by his Majesty's Servants. In two acts, with four caricature plates." With the motto beneath: "Qui Capit, Ille Facit." With the publisher's line at the foot of the page:
"Printed by E. Thomas, Denmark Court, Strand, Published (for the Author) by J. Onwhyn, 4 Catherine Street, Strand, and to be Had of All Booksellers. Price Two Shillings, 1820."
A list of characters, who represent George IV and his court, is printed on the opening page and the pamphlet contains four engraved illustrations.
1. BM Satires 14008. 'Scene at 'Harloton' [Carlton House]. George IV sprawls in a chair, leaning against a table spread with decanters and dessert; he gazes at military tunics, helmet, sword, boots &c ('new invented uniforms' cf. No 13237.) Lady Conyngham reclines near him on a sofa. A table is supported by carved satyrs.
2. BM Satires 14009. 'The great hall, Carlton House', at midnight. The King in a night-shirt, is distracted Lady Conyngham and the 'Ladies of the Haram' rush in, scantily clad; a table overturns, a dog barks. Castlereagh hastens to the King, holding out a candle; others enter, or rush out. A false alram of the Queen's arrival; friends have come 'To plot relief.'
3. BM Satires, 14010. 'The throne-room at Carlton House', the Green Bag (see BM Satires 13735) is on a table. The King is in consultation with the Chancellor, who holds other bags. In the background are courtiers, one wearing horns to represent Lord Conyngham, Castlereagh, Sidmouth, Liverpool and the Archbishop of Canterbury ('Parson Charley'), they are strangling the King's Conscience, an emaciated mannikin (cf. BM Satires No.13783.); thus he is no longer disturbed by a group of ghosts (l.) men, women and children (l.) victims of Peterloo, see BM Satires No.13258&c.
4. BM Satires 14011. 'The 'trial' of the Queen' (see BM Satires 13825), with the King presiding. Brougham is addressing him. The Queen stands (l) with Lady Anne Hamilton behind her chair. The Archbishop crawls under the table, Castlereagh escapes from a window, Sidmouth and the others flee. Evidence has been given that 'Bergamot' (Bergami) is impotent. A reconcilation between the King and his wife followws, to the delight of John Bull. See BM Satires No.14127 &c.
With the printer's address at the end of the pamphlet "E. Thomas, Printer, Denmark Court, Strand."
Nov-Dec 1820
Letterpress pamphlet with hand-coloured, etched illustrations
- Production date
- 1820
- Dimensions
-
Height: 127 millimetres (Approximate page height (illustration))
-
Height: 219 millimetres (Approximate page height (pamphlet))
-
Width: 214 millimetres (Approximate page width (illustration))
-
Width: 130 millimetres (Approximate page width (pamphlet))
- Curator's comments
- Description from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum' Vol X, 1952.
Bound as part of 'Political Tracts Volume 8.' Number 8 of 10 volumes of political pamphlets, published circa 1819- 1822. Volume 8 consists mainly of various editions of pamphlets bound in volumes 1-7.
For another version of this pamphlet, without hand-colouring see 'Political Tracts Volume 5.'
The anonymous illustrations are unusual in their fluid and sketch-like quality.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1863
- Acquisition notes
- The collection of satirical pamphlets illustrated by "the Cruikshanks" (ie: George and Isaac Robert) acquired from Harvey, 1863,1114. 90-217, have been bound in 'Political Tracts' Volumes 8 to 9.
They are bound in a different order to that in which they are listed in the Prints and Drawings Department's collection register. Pamphlets which are not illustrated and/ or not attributed to George or Isaac Robert Cruikshank also form part this collection.
The 10 volumes of 'Political Tracts' appear to have been created some years after these pamphlets were purchased. Volumes 1-7 are comprised of pamphlets from the Maskelyne collection acquired by the Museum in 1865. The binding of these pamphlets into volumes of 'Political Tracts.' may have been related to G.W. Reid's 'Catalogue of Cruikshank's Work.' 1871. There is an additional 10th volume containing pamphlets with unknown acquisition sources.
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1863,1114.203-206
