Fox riding (left to right) the old white horse of hanover, symbolizing the king, from a level plain down the sides of a ravine. In the valley (right) behind heavy dark clouds the sun is setting, in the sun's disk sits the figure of britannia. Behind the horse (left) is a sign-post, with the expressive hands characteristic of gillray's sign-posts: a hand (right) in a frilled cuff points downwards "to the valley of anihilation"; the other hand, with upturned palm, points "from the pinacle of glory". Fox, who is less gross-looking than in most satires of this period, guides the animal with a rope halter, his reins are broken and trail on the ground, his stirrup is broken, moisture drips from the horse's eye and mouth; he flourishes a whip with a triple lash, saying "aut cromwell out nihil - so come up old turnips". Puffs of smoke come from the animal's fundament inscribed "heigh-ho". Fox rides with a pair of open saddle-bags in front of him from which project a money-bag inscribed "lowis [sic] d'or", and documents: "french commiss[ion]", "spanish anuity", "settlement", "pr annu[ity]". The bag is inscribed "enjoyments". A fleur-de-lys hangs from a ribbon on his waistcoat. His wide wrinkled boots are inscribed "spanish leather". Behind him, resting on the hind-quarters of the horse, is a basket labelled "hopes & expectations" containing a head of the king wearing a laurel wreath supported on a pike; on the top of the head stands a gallic cock, decorated with a fleur-de-lys and crowing "cock-a-doodle-doo"; a crown thrust through with a sword; a torn document is inscribed "magna c[harta]. " 3 june 1783
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1783. Dimensions: Height: 242 mm; Width: 343 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. A sun setting in a fog; with the old Hanover Hack descending. (BM 1851,0901.143)
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