print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.7183
- Title
- Object: An attempt on the potatoe bag,
- Description
-
An Irish peasant, carrying on his back a huge sack of potatoes, trudges with a bludgeon towards 'Dublin' (r.), whose buildings appear on the horizon; in his hat is a sprig of olive. He looks over his shoulder at Napoleon, who holds a money-bag, and who pierces the sack with a dagger so that potatoes fall out. Napoleon says: "I say Paddy - Give up the bag quietly and you shall have this Purse of Gold." Paddy answers: "I see what you are at - you sly Teaf of the World you may Cut out a few of the Potatoes, that are rotten at the Core - but by St Patrick You'll never get the whole Bag - so you may Pocket your Cash - and march home and be Da-d." c. August 1803
Hand-coloured etching
- Production date
- 1803
- Dimensions
-
Height: 270 millimetres
-
Width: 354 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VIII, 1947)
Emmet's rebellion broke out on 23 July 1803, but was dispersed by the ordinary guard at the Castle. In 1802 he had had interviews with Bonaparte and Talleyrand. His followers were a few desperate or ignorant men and his plan was similar to that of Despard (see BMSat 9969) - to seize Dublin Castle, Pigeon House Fort, and the person of the Viceroy. Detailed news appeared in the London papers on 28 July, after 'very alarming rumours' on 25 July. Cf. BMSat 10009, &c.
Listed by Broadley.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.7183
