print;
satirical print;
book-illustration
- Museum number
- 1868,0808.9835
- Title
- Object: Britannia in Fetters
- Description
-
Satire on Viscount Weymouth, Secretary of State for the Southern Department. Britannia sits on a throne on a dais while Weymouth puts chains on her wrists saying “I am W[e]y[mout]h”, a soldier with “3rd Regt” on his cap holds Britannia’s shield, another in a similar cap holds her spear; a cleric puts a chain on her ankles. A group of members of the government approach the dais, led by the Duke of Grafton who says “Rivet ‘em fast” at the back of the group is a label reading “Infamous M[inistr]y [?] 1769”. According to Stephens an impression from this plate faces page 55 of The Political Register , 1769.
Etching and engraving
- Production date
- 1768
- Dimensions
-
Height: 168 millimetres (image)
-
Height: 178 millimetres (trimmed?)
-
Width: 115 millimetres (image)
-
Width: 116 millimetres (trimmed?)
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Weymouth was notoriously ineffective in dealing with foreign affairs, but was criticised for acting vigorously to restore order in the capital during the riots in London in May 1768 when soldiers of the 3rd Regiment of the Guards shot and killed a young man.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.9835
