Pitt, thickly coated with feathers, stands terrified between sheridan and fox. Only his face, hands, and (bare) feet are uncovered. He turns his head in profile to the right towards fox, clasping his hands. Fox, much caricatured, and grinning broadly, pushes a dripping mop in his face. Its stick is inscribed 'remonstrance of the people'. He has dipped it in a steaming cauldron (of tar) inscribed 'rights of the people', under which are blazing papers: 'sedition bill', 'ministerial influence', and 'informations'. Round pitt's neck is a noose, the rope from which hangs over a lamp-bracket. On the lamp is a crown; on the post a placard: 'fate of the sedition bill'. Sheridan (left), with a sinister glare, raises in both hands a huge cap of 'libertas', from which feathers shower down on pitt's head. Beneath the title: "nay & you'll stop our mouths, beware your own. " 26 november 1795
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1795. Dimensions: Height: 350 mm; Width: 249 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. Retribution;-tarring & feathering;-or-the patriots revenge. (BM 1868,0808.6483)
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