A whole length figure divided vertically, half (left) representing north, the other half fox. The head appears to be copied from sayers's mask, see bmsat 6234, reversed. The figure is nude except for a pair of short breeches, and the organs of the body from the neck to the waist are exposed. Common to both is the inscription, "pro privato lucro" across the forehead, and the protruding tongue inscribed "truth" in reversed or looking-glass characters. North's hand holds a bag inscribed "whipcord" (see bmsat 6254, &c). On his arm, as if tattooed, are guineas and the word "finance". On fox's arm are a dice-box and two dice inscribed "industry". Fox's hand, inscribed "goodwill", pulls at a cord labelled "anodyne necklace"; this comes from the lungs of the body, which are inscribed "oratorical" (right), "lungs" (left). The anodyne necklace was a much advertised object supposed to prevent the convulsions and teething disorders of infants (cf. Johnson, 'idler', no. 40). North's ribs are inscribed respectively "place", "pension", "sinecure", "contract", "loan", "title", "&c. &c. " those of fox are 13 stripes in allusion to his attitude to the american war, cf. Bmsat 6207, 6229. Each side has a heart inscribed "union", and other organs inscribed "touch-wood", "love", "honesty". The central artery common to both is "self-interest", branches from this deviate into the respective breeches-pockets of the monster. On both sides of these are inscribed "east india bill" and "p------ of w-----'s establishment". The pockets into which these conduits debouch are full of guineas and are inscribed "pickings". 12 august 1783
etching. Date: 1783. Dimensions: Height: 346 mm; Width: 254 mm (trimmed). Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. The Coalition Dissected (BM 1868,0808.5034)
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