print; satirical print

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Object Type: print; satirical print
Museum number: 1868,0808.7615
Title: Object: [All the talents dismissed.]
Description: Folding pl. from a book. John Bull (George III), a stout citizen, has risen from his chair of state to overthrow Grenville's Ministry (r.), while the new Ministers are grouped on the left Behind and above him, Britannia sits enthroned, flanked by pillars; she holds her shield and angrily points with her staff at the ex-Ministers, who are also assailed by missiles. A fragment of paper, inscribed 'Imperial Declaration', also flies towards them. John's chair tilts sideways, but is about to be held up by Hawkesbury; in his right. hand is a missile, in his left. a large club. Grey falls back, struck in the face by a ball, and dropping a club (Whig Club as in BMSat 10961). At his feet crouches Grenville, turning his back to the King, one foot on his cardinal's hat (cf. (e.g.) BMSat 10404). Little Lord Henry Petty sits on the ground, one hand on his fiddle (see BMSat 10589). Moira stands, in uniform and cocked hat, from which the Prince's feathers fly away, struck by a ball. Windham puts up his hands to protect his head, as does Sheridan who stands in front of him wearing a chequered Harlequin waistcoat (see BMSat 9916). Whitbread, struck by a ball, drops his tankard (cf. BMSat 10421); in his right. hand is an open book. Ellenborough's wig is struck off by a ball. In the foreground on the extreme right. Temple crouches over a pile of stationery and pens (see BMSat 10721, &c). Behind him Norfolk, painfully hit, drops a small cross. On the left. the most prominent Minister is Canning pointing to the open book which he holds: 'A Key to the recent Conduct of the Emp. of Russia'. On the extreme left. is Perceval, in wig and gown as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Castlereagh and Hawkesbury are just behind Canning. In front of the latter, at the King's r. hand, sits Portland (on a block of stone, cf. BMSat 10718, &c). Behind are three unidentified Ministers. The scene is a terrace with sky above a parapet. On the left., above Ministers, flies the avenging ghost of Pitt, a flaming sword in his hand, l. arm extended towards the ex-Ministers. Festooned curtains frame the design. 1 February 1808 Hand-coloured etching
Producer name: Print made by: Samuel De Wilde; Published by: Maxwell & Wilson
School/style
Production date: 1808
Materials
Technique: etching; hand-coloured
Dimensions: Height: 183 millimetres; Width: 345 millimetres
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments: (Description and comment from M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VIII, 1947) For the fall of the Talents on the Catholic Question see BMSat 10709, &c. The Imperial Declaration is that made by Alexander on 20-31 Oct. 1807, attacking British policy, and especially the attack on Copenhagen (see BMSat 10762, &c), and proclaiming the principles of the Armed Neutrality, see BMSat 10776. Canning, in answer to attacks, said that everything was done to conciliate Russia, despite the Treaty of Tilsit, till 'the hostile Declaration came with as much surprize upon Petersburgh as it did upon London'. 'Parl. Debates', x. 66 (21 Jan. 1808). The Prince's feathers blow away (as in BMSat 10961) to symbolize the loosening of his association with the Whigs, cf. BMSat 10525. For George III as John Bull cf. BMSat 10088. Also a proof before letters. According to George, there is a note on the print by F. G. Stephens.
Bibliographic references
Location: Not on display
Subjects
Associated names: Associated with: Alexander I, Tsar of Russia; Associated with: George Canning; Associated with: Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh and 2nd Marquess of Londonderry; Associated with: Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough; Associated with: George IV, King of the United Kingdom; Associated with: George III, King of the United Kingdom; Associated with: William Wyndham Grenville, Baron Grenville; Associated with: Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey; Associated with: Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool; Associated with: Francis Rawdon Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings and 2nd Earl of Moira; Associated with: Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk; Associated with: Right Hon Spencer Perceval; Associated with: Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne; Associated with: William Pitt the Younger; Associated with: William, 3rd Duke of Portland; Associated with: Richard Brinsley Sheridan; Associated with: Samuel Whitbread II; Associated with: William Windham; Associated with: Richard Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1868
Department: Prints and Drawings
Registration number: 1868,0808.7615

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