print; satirical print

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Object Type: print; satirical print
Museum number: 1868,0808.9321
Title: Object: The New Union Coach, or a Long Pull, a Strong Pull, & a Pull Altogether
Description: Grey drives (left to right) a high-sprung open barouche in which sits William IV, in admiral's uniform, with his back to the horses and facing the Queen, whose hand is extended as if pointing. There is a team of six, each branded with a letter, and each with a human head; they diminish in perspective from left to right, so that the leaders, controlled by a postilion, are the least conspicuous. The most prominent is Brougham, 'B', in his Chancellor's wig and with his head thrown up; next him is Melbourne, 'M'; in front of him is Holland, 'H', and Durham, 'D'; the leaders are Althorp, 'A', and the Duke of Richmond, 'R'. They are on a road which curves uphill and then divides, leading to twin temples: 'Reform' (left) and 'Retrenchment' (right). The King looks round to say: 'Go on Coachman that's the Road!!!' In the background is a pond in which a wrecked mail-coach, 'The Old Sovereign Coach' [see BM Satires No. 15716], is partly submerged. Peel (right) has fallen into the water from the dickey, and Wellington from the box-seat. The Duke shouts: 'Help. Bob— help—how shall we get out of this Slough—? that cursed Don-key has frightened the Horses—. Bob—I cant go to the King now you know'. On the left is a small donkey, wildly kicking. In the foreground spectators stand behind a roadside rail, cheering the coach. One, a labourer, waves frantically. Others, fashionably dressed, are more restrained. 1830 Etching
Producer name: Print made by: Henry Heath; Published by: S W Fores
School/style
Production date: 1830
Production place: Published in: London (England)
Materials
Technique
Dimensions: Height: 279 millimetres; Width: 424 millimetres
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments: (Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', XI, 1954) A sequel to No. 16358. Grey's 'Union Coach' symbolizes his coalition Government, with its pro¬gramme of Peace, Retrenchment, and Reform, see (e.g.) Nos. 16346, 16366, 16398. Wellington refers to his advice to the King on getting Key's letter, see No. 16303, &c.
Bibliographic references
Location: Not on display
Subjects
Associated names: Associated with: Adelaide, Queen of William IV; Associated with: John Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer; Associated with: Henry Peter, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux; Associated with: John George Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham; Associated with: Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey; Associated with: Henry Richard Fox Vassall, 3rd Baron Holland; Associated with: Sir John Key; Associated with: William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne; Associated with: Sir Robert Peel; Associated with: Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond and Lennox; Associated with: Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington; Associated with: William IV, King of the United Kingdom
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1868
Department: Prints and Drawings
Registration number: 1868,0808.9321
Conservation

Free entry

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