The cunning men, Robert Seymour, 1831

Below the title: 'they have raised a devil they cannot lay again'. Grey and althorp (right), wearing cloaks, are within a circle edged by a low parapet of large books, spine upwards, each inscribed 'law', and protected by a frieze of bayonets. They have made a small fire, producing clouds of smoke in which are burning two documents: 'non intervention' [see bm satires no. 16615] and 'retrenchment'. Grey stands aghast, arms and wand extended, facing a huge winged devil (h. L. ) who leans towards him from the clouds (left), extending talons and holding a pitchfork. He wears a cap of liberty with a tricolour cockade; a placard inscribed 'reform' in large letters is spiked on his horns while 'revolution' is inscribed on his forehead; he breathes fire and smoke and the words: 'vote by ballot', 'universal suffrage', 'no tythes', 'no lords', no—s' [kings]. Grey says: 'i tremble at the demon i have raised'. Althorp, who is hooded, crouches (right) to throw coins into the fire, an allusion to his budget see bm satires no. 16582; he holds a large purse. Feb 26 1831 lithograph. Date: 1831. Dimensions: Height: 217 mm (image); Width: 335 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: John Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer. Collection: British Museum. The cunning men (BM 1868,0808.9343 1)