Blood & co, setting fire to the Tower, & stealing the crown., James Gillray, 1788

Fox, followed by burke and sheridan, hastily leaves a vaulted archway from which issue smoke and flames. George hanger (left) runs in front, holding a burning firebrand; behind him is the white tower in flames. Fox carries the crown which he partly conceals under his voluminous coat. Burke, dressed as a jesuit (cf. Bmsat 6026), holds the sceptre; he looks with satisfaction at sheridan, who takes his arm. Sheridan holds the orb; in his hat is an election favour inscribed 'townsend'. Hanger wears a cocked hat with an election favour, his military coat and tight breeches are in rags; under his arm is a sack labelled 'unmill'd coin'. Torn bills pasted on the wall behind fox's head are inscribed 'the westminster election; for the interest of lord j. Townsd', and 'leak's pills'. 26 july 1788 hand-coloured etching and aquatint. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 247 mm; Width: 349 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Col Thomas Blood. Collection: British Museum. Blood & co, setting fire to the Tower, & stealing the crown. (BM 1868,0808.5763)