A satirical anticipation of the procession to st. Paul's for the national thanksgiving for the naval victories. [first of june, 1794 (see bmsat 8469), cape st. Vincent, 19 feb. 1797 (see bmsat 8992), camperdown, 11 oct. 1797 (see bmsat 9034). Many prints of these actions are in the b. M. ] in front (left) stands lord hawkesbury, full-face, holding up a large scroll: 'a correct plan how 10,000 men may march to paris by the high road without being seen or obstructed by a turnpike. H--k--y. ' next walks canning, a pair of compasses in his right hand, in his left a ruler marked in inches. He says: "by these i can measure the capacity of all the cabinets of europe. " he is followed by the duke of richmond, in regimentals, holding a model of a group of fortifications (see bmsat 6921, &c). Next walks loughborough in chancellor's wig and gown, holding a similar model on his head inscribed 'fortifications of dunkirk'; in his left hand he holds a ribbon which draws a small cannon 'actualy taken from the french at dunkirk'. Behind him walks wilberforce, head in air, holding an open 'book of common prayer', but with a cocked pistol in his left hand behind his back; from his pocket issues a paper: 'slave trade'. Next walks george rose, stooping under a heavy burden and covering his face with his hand; he says: "the weight of these honors makes me blush like the new blown rose". Strapped to his back and towering above his head are bundles inscribed: 'places', 'pensions', 'sinecures', 'profits', 'rewards for past services', 'expectances', 'appointments', 'emoluments &c&c. ' (cf. Bmsat 7872. ) the next man balances on his nose, like a juggler, an erection of sticks crossing at right angles from which dangle little squares inscribed respectively: 'prussia' (twice), 'denh', 'spain venice', 'france italy', 'holland', 'sweden', 'portugal'. This is surmounted by the pitt crest of a stork and anchor indicating, as does his star, the earl of chatham (president of the council). After him walks a bishop in lawn sleeves and mitre, a drawn sword in his right hand, a large book under his left arm. He says: "people have nothing to do but to obey", showing that he is horsley, bishop of rochester, see bmsat 8703. Next comes a bull, john bull, wearing a muzzle which is heavily padlocked (see bmsat 8781), signifying the treason and sedition acts, see bmsat 8687, &c. ); he says: "i would complain if i dared. " on his back sits pitt, straddling across enormous saddle-bags which reach almost to the ground, inscribed 'taxes trebled quadrupled &c', and filled with papers inscribed 'tax'. Under his right arm he holds a model of the bank of england (symbolizing the bank restriction act, see bmsat 8990, &c. ); in his left hand is a flag: 'prusia mourning for the money not the man'. Two henchmen walk beside the bull's neck; one holds up a torch and a knife, the other a fringed banner on which is depicted a soldier bayoneting a woman and infant outside a burning house; an irish harp shows that the scene is in ireland. From it waves a scroll: 'a new mode of reconciling a distracted people'. On the ground lies a paper: 'opposition an old song'. The bull is followed by windham, who holds a plan on a roller; he points to the inscription: 'quiberon, with an exact representation of the manner of killing off'; below are cannon firing point-blank at falling and prostrate soldiers. Behind him walks a man whose profile, but not his tall thin figure, suggests grenville. A pen is stuck through his wig and from his pocket hangs a paper, '18,000 per ann. ' (cf. Bmsat 8061). He carries a flag inscribed 'savings' on which are depicted rats on a table gnawing a candle-end and fragments of food. The procession ends with a group of three scots: dundas, in highland dress and feathered bonnet, between two men wearing tartan with scots caps. All three caper, scratching themselves violently (cf. Bmsat 7152). One says to dundas "hoot lad we re come to get some places"; he answers: "what! three more secretaries" [see bmsat 9052, &c. ]. 11 december 1797
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1797. Dimensions: Height: 232 mm; Width: 628 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: George Canning. Collection: British Museum. The victorious procession to St Pauls. Or Billy's grand triumphal entry a prelude (BM 1868,0808.6675)
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