- Museum number
- 1981,U.223
- Title
- Object: The master cook and his black scullion composing a royal hash.
- Description
-
A big cauldron rests on the bent backs of Wellington (left), supporting himself on his sword, Sidmouth, knock-kneed and holding a clyster-pipe, and Castlereagh (right), dandified and bland. From their mouths floats a scroll inscribed: "O is not this a Dainty Dish to set before a King." They are on a much smaller scale than the cooks, who stand one on each side, stirring the brew. One (left) is fashionably dressed and mixed race. He holds a green bag inscribed 'Rakings of Italy' and uses a spoon. A winged demon whispers in his ear: "Never mind the dirty work my boy it won't spoil your Complexion." He says: "It wants more seasoning master Cook." The other, pale and emaciated, and wearing barrister's wig and bands, stands on a large dispatch-box in order to reach the pot; this is inscribed 'G.R Milan Commission'. He stirs with a rolled document, and answers: "Indeed Mungo it must be warmer to be relished." Behind him and clutching his shoulder stands a large Devil, who says: "This beats the black Broth of Satan." The steam from the pot forms a background for a large fantastic face or mask, George IV, saying: "The Odour of this Cookery is exquisite! How Invigorating!! How Reviving!"
July 1820
Hand-coloured etching
- Production date
- 1820
- Dimensions
-
Height: 308 millimetres
-
Width: 411 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', X, 1952)
A satire on the Milan Commission, instructed by Leach in 1818 to go abroad to procure evidence against the Princess of Wales, its report to the Cabinet in July 1819 forming the contents of the Green Bags, see No. 13735. The barrister is William Cooke, his companion is his assistant, Lt.-Col. Browne (residing in Milan): Mungo (from Bickerstaffe's comic opera 'The Padlock') was a generic term for a negro, the name also implying one who does dirty jobs, cf. No. 5030. There was also a solicitor, Powell, called 'the Rat' because he had acted for Burdett in election business. See No. 10708 and 'Examiner', 1820, p. 540. An inquiry into the 'demi-official' Commission was moved on 6 July. See 'Parl. Deb.', N.s. ii. 259 ff.; 'Letters of George IV', 1938, ii. 278-9, 373-4. See also Nos. 13740, 13760, 13762, 13763, 13774, 13777, 13787, 13789, 13802, 13824, 13853, 13891, 13900, 13939, 13943, 13953, 13992, 14000, 14049.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1753-1981
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1981,U.223
