- Museum number
- 1868,0808.10360
- Title
- Object: The political alphabet
- Description
-
A design in twenty-four compartments, arranged in four rows, and divided by intersecting lines. 'A was an A------, \ lost in a fog'. (Addington emerges from clouds, his arms extended in a gesture of bewildered alarm.) 'B was B------, \ with one foot in a bog.' (Burdett stands with one foot in an irregularly shaped mass inscribed 'Middlesex', see BMSat 9878.) 'C was a Curtis, a lover of news.' (Sir William Curtis, Alderman and ((Tory) M.P. for the City, reads a newspaper.) 'D was D------as, \ Turn him round as you chuse.' (Dundas, in Highland dress, takes snuff, smiling.) 'E was an Erskine \ In Eloquence great.' (He gesticulates in wig and gown.) 'F was a Fox, \ a firm friend to the State.' (Fox stands with r. arm extended, making a speech.) 'G was a G------le, \ who could not get in.' (Lord Grenville, cf. BMSat 10232.) 'H was a H------, \ who thought most things a sin.' (A sanctimonious fellow wearing clerical bands, perhaps Rowland Hill.) 'J was J------s, \ with his whiskers so big.' (Tyrwhitt Jones, see BMSat 9401 and index, gesticulates in a ranting manner.) 'K was a K------h \ In a snug little wig.' (Admiral Lord Keith in naval uniform, stands holding his sword like a walking-stick. He was C.-in-c. in the North Sea, active in defence preparations.) 'L was a L----l, \ Worn in the cause.' (Old Lord Liverpool (Jenky) in court dress, with (incorrectly) a Garter ribbon, making a speech; cf. (e.g.) BMSat 6801.)
'M was a M------day \ who loved the Game Laws.' (Edward Miller Mundy, M.P. for Derbyshire.) 'N was a N------k, \ The Chief of his band.' (The Duke of Norfolk stands in profile to the right.) 'O was Tom O------ow, \ Who drives four in hand.' (Onslow (see BMSat 9759) stands full face.) 'P was the P------, \ Made us pay for the past.' (Pitt stands arm extended, making a speech, cf. BMSat 9863.) 'Q was a Q------ry \ Game to the last.' (The Duke of Queensberry stands ogling through his quizzing-glass.) 'R was a Rawdon \ Invaders to flog.' (Lord Rawdon (Moira), in uniform, stands erect. He was C.-in-c. of the forces in Scotland.) 'S was friend Sherry, \ with Carlo his dog!' (Sheridan, his coat-Pocket bulging with paper, slouches with one hand on Carlo's back, see BMSat 10172, &c.) 'T was a T------r \ called Chicken by some \ ' (M. A. Taylor, nicknamed Chicken in 1785, see BMSat 6777). 'V was the Vincent, \ made Foes to look glum.' (Admiral St. Vincent, First Lord 1801-4, in uniform, stands with extended l. arm.) 'W was a W------ham, \ In Cheese parings rich.' (Windham, see BMSat 9735, makes a declamatory speech.) 'X will have Tenths from \ the poor in his nitch.' (A surly porter or door-keeper sits in his hooded chair, his dog beside him.) 'Y is a Youth, \ That in Senate ne'er spoke.' (He stands with hands in his breeches pockets making a speech.) 'Z is a Zany, who laughs at a joke!' (He laughs, holding his sides.) Cf. BMSat 10276. February 1804
Hand-coloured etching and aquatint
- Production date
- 1804
- Dimensions
-
Height: 385 millimetres
-
Width: 481 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated names
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Associated with: Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth
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Associated with: Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Baronet
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Associated with: Sir William Curtis
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Associated with: Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
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Associated with: Charles James Fox
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Associated with: William Wyndham Grenville, Baron Grenville
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Associated with: Rowland Hill
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Associated with: Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt Jones
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Associated with: George Keith Elphinstone, Viscount Keith
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Associated with: Charles Jenkinson, 1st Earl of Liverpool
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Associated with: Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
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Associated with: Francis Rawdon Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings and 2nd Earl of Moira
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Associated with: Edward Miller Mundy
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Associated with: Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk
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Associated with: Thomas Onslow, 2nd Earl of Onslow
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Associated with: William Pitt the Younger
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Associated with: William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry
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Associated with: John Jervis, Earl of St Vincent
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Associated with: Richard Brinsley Sheridan
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Associated with: Right Hon Michael Angelo Taylor
-
Associated with: William Windham
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.10360