(All the Talents Dismissed)

Samuel De Wilde pseud ‘Thomaso Scrutiny’

(All the Talents Dismissed)

London, S. Tipper February 1^st 1808

Etching.

Original hand colouring

190 x 350 mm

Traces of old folds as issued

£180

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.