- Museum number
- 1865,1111.569-576
- Description
-
1. BM Satires 13885. Satirical pamphlet of 33 pages on the Queen Caroline affair entitled: 'The Queen’s budget opened; or correspondence extraordinary, relative to the defence of Her Majesty. “ Subtitled: 'A companion to The royal letter bag.' A quotation from Shakespeare is printed beneath the title in smaller type and the illustration title 'The arrival' is printed above the cover image which represents a man riding a galloping horse from Dover, waving a hat with a large white favour (as worn by the Queen's supporters). Over the sea (right) are an irradiated crown and dove. Guns fire from Dover Castle (where a salute was fired on her return, cf. BM Satires No. 13730). Above: 'The Arrival'. Lettered beneath the illustration: “Published from Authentic Sources.” With the publisher’s line: “T.Dolby, 299 Strand; J Fairburn, Broadway, Blackfriars and All Booksellers. Printed by J Swan, 76 Fleet Street. 1820, Price One Shilling.”
The pamphlet is divided into sections written from different perspectives on the Queen Caroline affair including The Queen, The “British Tar,” “John Bull” and George IV. The final section is the words to 'England’s glory, an excellent new song. Recommended to be set to music by the court musicians.'
2. (Not described in BM Satires.) An emblematical head-piece to a 'letter' from Queen Caroline to George IV; Cupid bowed down, like Atlas, under the weight of a globe which is wrapped around with a banner reading 'Truth and justice', sketchy mountainous landscape beyond.
3. (Not described in BM Satires.) Emblematical tail-piece to part 1, a 'letter' from Queen Caroline to George IV; a woman holding a rudder and leaning against bales, gesturing to the inscription “Welcome once more to Britain’s shores”; silhouetted masts and partial outline of a ship are visible in the background.
4. BM Satires 13886. 'The British seaman’s address to his Queen.' A procession is led by a mounted sailor (cf. BM Satires No. 13850) holding out an 'Address' inscribed '5000'. Men and women walk behind a banner carried by a sailor, inscribed 'The Seamen's Address'. They have three other banners: 'Heaven Procet [sic] [the] Innocent'; 'God Save the Queen'; 'Non Mi Ricord' [see No. 13827]. 5. (Not described in BM Satires) Emblematical tail-piece to 'The British Seaman's address to his Queen' (BM Satires 13886); Britannia kneeling to write "England Expects Every Man to Do his Duty." on a large rock, a ship beyond at left.
6. BM Satires 13887. 'The Royal voyage.' A scene on the deck of the King's yacht. George IV, dressed as a sailor, staggers tipsily, holding a bottle and glass, attended by Capt. Paget, who bows obsequiously, and two sailors. See BM Satires no. 13853, &c. (BM Satires 13887)
7. BM Satires 13888. 'Thunderstorm and eclipse.' Thunderbolts strike two terrified barristers (Gifford and Copley, unrecognizable) who stand by a (green) bag from which they are taking papers (one inscribed 'Lies'). The bag is inscribed 'Lies!!! Lies!!! Filthy lies!!!' [see BM Satires No. 13735]. Round them fly attendant demons, all with a head like that of George IV. The sun is in eclipse, almost covered by a darkened disk. See BM Satires no. 13976. (BM Satires 13888)
8. (Not described in BM Satires). Emblematical tail-piece to a satirical pamphlet (see BM Satires 13885); two putti, one with butterfly wings, embracing in a boat at sea, another looking on; cliffs in the distance at left.
On the reverse of the pamphlet an advertisement for “The Royal Letter Bag.” (See BM Satires 13943.)
c. October 1820
Wood-engraved vignettes on letterpress pamphlet
- Production date
- 1820
- Dimensions
-
Height: 213 millimetres (approx. page size)
-
Width: 135 millimetres (approx. page size)
- Curator's comments
- (Description from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', X, 1952)
George's catalogue does not give numbers to the head or tailpieces although they are mentioned in the general description.
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. For another edition of this pamphlet see, Political Tracts Volume 8, 1863,1114.214.
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated titles
-
Associated Title: The Queen's budget opened; or, correspondence extraordinary, relative to the defence of Her Majesty...
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Associated Title: The Royal Letter Bag ("The Queen's Budget Opened" is described on the title page as "A Companion to the Royal Letter Bag" See 1865,1111,564.)
- Acquisition date
- 1865
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1865,1111.569-576
