- Museum number
- 1865,1111.564-566
- Description
-
Satirical pamphlet of 32 pages on the Queen Caroline affair entitled:
'The royal letter bag, containing familiar epistles from royal personages, ministers of state, bishops, generals,discarded mistresses, Italian witnesses &c.&c. Relative to the Queen and other important state affairs'
The pamphlet is composed of a range of satirical letters, mainly in verse, which parody the words and behaviours of key figures including George IV his ministers and witnesses at the Queen’s trial.
1. The title page illustration, BM Satires 13943, in imitation of T. Moore, represents a courier galloping from Windsor, preceded by four rats, and urged on by the Devil, who stands by the horse's heels cracking a whip. Strapped to the courier's back is a large portmanteau: 'Milan Commission' [see BM Satires No. 13755, &c.].
Lettered beneath the illustration:
“Fourth Edition, Published from the Originals. London: Sold by T. Dolby, 299, Strand, and all booksellers, Printed by J Swan, 76 Fleet Street, 1820, Five Shillings.”
2. BM Satires 13944. 'A royal milling' represents a pugilistic encounter between George IV, who is knocked backwards, losing his crown, and the Duke of York. Bloomfield, with a bottle of 'Bra[ndy]', supports the King. Behind him (left) are two women, Lady Conyng-ham, and a cook with a gridiron (cf. BM Satires No. 13208, &c.). Two officers stand behind the Duke. The (supposed) quarrel arose from the Duke's (alleged) protest against the King's intention to divorce the Queen and remarry,( see BM Satires No. 13789, &c.)
3. BM Satires 13945. 'A pair of respectable witnesses.' On the 'Green Bag' (see No. 13735, &c.) are the (sulky) features and whiskers of George IV; from it issue two witnesses, two serpents, a leech (Leach, see BM Satires No. 13740), and the words 'Lies' (three times), 'Filth', 'Obscenity'. The witnesses are Majocchi dressed as a courier and saying "Non mi ricordo" [see BM Satires No. 13827], and Demont saying "Je ne me rapelle pas" [see BM Satires No. 13857]. Each holds a money-bag inscribed 'Bribery'; in Demont's hair is a fillet inscribed 'Perjury'. Seated round the bag and smiling approvingly are Sidmouth, Eldon, Castlereagh, and (?) Wilberforce.
Lettered at the end of the pamphlet:
“Printed by J. Swan, 76 Fleet Street, London.”
c. October-November 1820
Wood-engraving, vignette on titlepage to a letterpress pamphlet
- Production date
- 1820
- Dimensions
-
Height: 217 millimetres (approx. page size)
-
Width: 134 millimetres (approx. page size)
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', X, 1952)
Bound as part of 'Political Tracts Volume 2,' number 2 of 10 volumes of “Political Tracts” A compilation of satirical and political pamphlets published circa 1819-1822. The contents of this volume mainly concern the Queen Caroline affair and satirise the Prince Regent, subsequently George IV, his court and ministers.
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated titles
Associated Title: The Royal letter-bag; containing familiar epistles... relative to the Queen...
- Acquisition date
- 1865
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1865,1111.564-566
