Charles Williams
Kissing Hands or New Appointments
London,E Walker Feb. 10th . 1806
Etching
Original hand colouring
255 x 355 mm.
£380
The new Ministers, in Court or official dress, advance towards the King who is seated on a chair of state, with the Lord Chamberlain, Dartmouth, on his left. Behind him is a Beef-eater. Fox, supporting the King’s left hand with both of his, stoops with obsequious satisfaction, saying; What a delicious hand ! as I am an honest Man and a good Christian, I declare it is the softest I have Kiss’d these Twenty Years – this sure is bliss if bliss on Earth there be. His bag is precariously attatched to his cropped hair. Besdie him stands Erskine, in Chancellor’s wig and gown, saying, At length I am arrived to the highest pitch of my Ambition – what I have long look’d for is come at last. Sheridan hastens up behind Fox, saying, This is one of the finest incidents I have ever met with, so much situation & Stage effect- it would make one of the finest Comedies ever written, & such a set of fine Actors, I hope it will be my turn next, oh! How I long to kiss that dear Hand. Sidmouth looks to the right as he flings away a bottle labelled Narcotic, saying, Throw Physic to the dogd !’ll have none of it. Windham, more dignified, but quietly eager, looks towards the spectator, saying, I declare these I declare these Gentlemen seem so eagar they won’t leave the tip of his little finger for me !.On the extreme right Moira, in regimentals, stands stiffly silent. Grenville also, who stands beside the throne, between Erskine and Dartmouth, silently surveys his colleagues. BM 10526
