The Working of the Prophecies of Samuel the Prophet or the Brewer Suffocated in his own Work Tub.

William Heath

The Working of the Prophecies of Samuel the Prophet or the Brewer Suffocated in his own Work Tub.

London, S. W. Fores Nov. 12^th 1813

Etching

Original hand-colouring

365x250mm

Trimmed to border

£180

An early caricature by William Heath. A stout ‘cit’ John Bull, supported by his dog, stands by a large barrel, inscribed Home Brewed, from which emerges the head and shoulders of the brewer Samuel Whitbread, surrounded by  billowing beer froth which fills the upper half of the design. Above the froth is a banner inscribed Tis Madness toOppose The Destinies. The froth is inscribed with Whitbread’s speeches on the futility of war against Napoleon, his attempts at appeasement, and his defeatist opinions of the continental monarchs. Whitbread was by far the most uncompromising of the Whigs in his persistent opposition to the War and its conduct, and his demands for peace negotiations with the French. BM 12099.