print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.5499
- Title
- Object: The state-cobler
- Description
-
Dundas is seated on a bench in a cobbler's bulk or stall, a narrow shed with a pent-house roof. Pitt approaches him from the left, Major Scott from the right Pitt holds out a paper inscribed 'Shop Tax mended', saying, 'he has Mended this it will Last some Time now'. Scott holds out a torn paper inscribed 'Hasting's Defence', saying, "Can you Mend this for me Master Crispin". Over Dundas's knees hang papers inscribed 'India Bill', 'Arbitrary Power', and 'Secre[t] Influ[ence]'. He looks at Scott, saying, "They want new Souls! But I'll try what can be done". The doorway above his head is inscribed, 'Cobbling for Exportation by Harry Dunass'. 31 March 1786
Etching
- Production date
- 1786
- Dimensions
-
Height: 248 millimetres
-
Width: 348 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VI, 1938)
A satire on the influence over Pitt of Dundas, and on their expected protection of Hastings. The resolutions of censure on Hastings of May 1782 (see BMSat 6915) had been moved by Dundas and on 17 Feb. 1786 Burke requested the Clerk to read them, ironically suggesting that Dundas was the man to take action against Hastings. Dundas had moved, 14 Apr. 1783, for leave to bring in an India Bill (cf. BMSat 6940). The Shop Tax, see BMSat 6798, &c, was reduced in 1786. For secret influence cf. BMSat 6417, &c.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.5499
