print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.7556
- Title
- Object: Disappointed broad bottoms- receiving absolution from the Pope.
- Description
-
The Pope wearing his tiara towers above the ex-Ministers, who kneel at his feet with clasped hands, some in profile to the right., the others to the left. He extends his arms, saying, "My dear Children you have all behaved so well in support of the Holy Church that I freely give you all absolution." The two centre figures are Grenville (l.) and Howick (r.) who kneel facing each other. Grenville (a former Pittite), who is very bulky, says: "My misfortune arose from getting into bad Company". Howick kneels on his 'Catho[lic] Bill'; he says: "I am afraid most Holy Father our being kick'd out was principally my fault - I really thought he said Aye when he said No." Behind Grenville is Bedford, in spurred boots, saying, "I only wish'd to improve the breed of Irish Cattle, and it is hard I should be called home in the midst of my Agricultural pursuits." Behind, Windham says: "My misfortunes have all arisen from my unconquerable propensity to Candle ends and Cheese parings" [see BMSat 9735, &c.]. Next, Lauderdale, in tartan, looks up with obsequious melancholy. On the extreme left. are Derby, Temple, and a shadowy head. Behind Howick kneels little Petty, in his gown, saying, "Mine were but petty Offences and I hope to be forgiven." Behind him is Erskine, in Chancellor's wig and gown, with the Purse of the Great Seal, and clasping a money-bag: '4000 Pr An'. He says: "Man wants that little here below nor wants that little long." With these two are the spectacled Buckingham and the rigid Moira, both silent. Behind, Sheridan, as Harlequin (see BMSat 9916), kneels abjectly, saying, "Oh Dear! what will become of me." On the extreme right. is the scowling profile of Ellenborough. Tierney looks over Sheridan's back. April 1807
Hand-coloured etching
- Production date
- 1807
- Dimensions
-
Height: 250 millimetres
-
Width: 342 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VIII, 1947)
See BMSat 10709, &c. The King was understood to have accepted the principle of Howick's Bill ( on 2-3 Mar.), which he afterwards opposed. See 'H.M.C. Dropmore MSS.' viii, p. xxi f. Erskine was particularly disgusted at his short tenure of the Chancellorship. As in other prints on this subject he grasps the pension granted to retiring Chancellors. Sheridan's financial position was hopeless on the loss of his lucrative office.
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated names
-
Associated with: George Nugent Temple Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham
-
Associated with: John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford
-
Associated with: Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby
-
Associated with: Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough
-
Associated with: Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
-
Associated with: William Wyndham Grenville, Baron Grenville
-
Associated with: Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
-
Associated with: James Maitland, 8th Earl of Lauderdale
-
Associated with: Francis Rawdon Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings and 2nd Earl of Moira
-
Associated with: Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne
-
Associated with: Pope Pius VII
-
Associated with: Richard Brinsley Sheridan
-
Associated with: George Tierney
-
Associated with: William Windham
-
Associated with: Richard Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.7556
