print;
satirical print;
book-illustration
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.9784
- Title
- Object: The Union; or the Pay-Master-s
- Description
-
Illustration to the Oxford Magazine, 1768: a satire on Thomas Harley, MP and Lord Mayor of London and his close connection with Richard Rigby, Paymaster General. The two men are mounted on one horse, Harley behind Rigby, as it gallops towards a toll-gate. The toll-keeper holds out a ticket saying “And these two are one – Pay Master”. Harley wears his Lord Mayor’s robes and large boots, he says “If we ride so fast Mr R(igb)y I shall lose my SEAT” to which Rigby, waving a large whip and also wearing big boots, replies “Stick close to me my LORD M(ayo)R and I’ll ensure you for 7 Years”. Standing behind the speeding horse is Private MacLaughlin, the soldier accused of having shot William Allen during the St. George’s Fields riots; he holds his gun reversed and says “I was naked and he clothed me” gesturing towards Rigby. A man standing by the road remarks on how dirty the roads are and another on how dirty the riders are. A Scotsman comments that “By my Sol but they are well BUTE’D”.. 2 July 1768
Etching and engraving
- Production date
- 1768
- Dimensions
-
Height: 101 millimetres (image)
-
Height: 112 millimetres
-
Width: 162 millimetres (image)
-
Width: 184 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Harley had been made a privy councillor and received a lucrative contract for supplying the army because of his support of the Government during the disturbances following the Middlesex elections in 1768.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.9784
