The new ministry attempting to pull from its base a headless stone statue of britannia, who is seated on a globe, holding a broken spear; her right leg from the knee and her left arm have been broken off. A fox (charles fox) with its fore-paws on the square base bites her leg. Two judges in their robes, thurlow and mansfield, on the extreme right pull at ropes to keep her in position. Within the ropes stand a group of patriots threatening britannia: wilkes in the forefront, a book "no[rth] b[riton]" under his left arm, his right hand, holding a rolled document inscribed "libel", is raised to strike. Behind him dunning holds over his head in both hands a book inscribed "sydney on government". Next is the duke of richmond, holding above his head in both hands a musket by its barrel, with which he is about to smite the statue. He is saying "leave not a wreck behind". Behind him stands burke (?) raising in his left hand a rolled document inscribed "reformation bill". The last is keppel, who, turning his back on britannia, holds a flagstaff from which he is hauling down the flag, saying
"he that fights & runs away,
may live to fight another day. "
this is an allusion to the battle of ushant, 27 july 1778, see bmsat 5992, &c. Britannia's foreign enemies are running off with the spoil. On the extreme left america, as a red indian in a feathered head-dress and girdle, runs holding britannia's head in his left hand while her arm, in which is an olive branch, is held over his right shoulder. Next comes france running in pursuit with arms extended, saying "you dam dog, you run way wit all de branche", prophetically implying america would forestall france by separate peace negotiations, cf. Bmsat 6051. Spain follows, carrying britannia's leg over his left shoulder. Holland, a short cheerful-looking burgher, runs towards the spectator carrying britannia's shield on his head and shoulders. Britannia, assassinated by republicans at home and despoiled by enemies abroad, is defended by mansfield and thurlow. Cf. A letter of 8 mar. In which north anticipates that thurlow "will oppose a firm barrier against any dangerous popular measures", 'corr. Of george iii', v. 380. 10 may 1782
etching. Date: 1782. Dimensions: Height: 252 mm; Width: 359 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Edmund Burke. Collection: British Museum. Britania's assassination. or - the Republicans amusement (BM 1851,0901.78)
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