A Right Honble Democrat Dissected, William Dent, 1793

A whole length figure of fox, bisected vertically, the organs of his body and his ribs being laid bare as if for dissection. The left half (on the right) is dressed as a frenchman, he has no left shirt-sleeve but has ruffles attached to his wrist according to the english gibe. In his left hand is a dagger inscribed 'penetration'. In his teeth he holds a toy windmill inscribed 'genius', its four sails inscribed, respectively, 'for the king', 'monarchy', 'for the people', 'republic'. His forehead is 'self-interest'; his right shoulder is 'attachment', his left 'apprehension'. On his right shirt-sleeve are dice-box and dice and the words: 'british industry', 'interest of levellers', 'jews', 'gamesters', 'adventurers'. His clenched right fist is inscribed 'argument'. On his left arm are an axe and noose and the words: 'french industry', 'advocate for atheists', 'jews', 'papists', 'dissenters &c'. His right ribs are 'duplicity', 'drunkenness', 'whoredom', 'gambling', 'envy', 'inconsistency', 'prophaness'; his left ribs: 'enmity', 'cruelty', 'madness', 'distress', 'treachery', 'ingratitude', 'despair'. His organs are inscribed 'gallic', 'aristocratic', 'fraternity', 'oratorical lungs variably verbose' [a pair of bellows], 'common wealth', 'intemperance', 'democratic', 'french principles', 'reservoir for royalty'. These are flanked by 'fat of pidgeons' and 'fat of friends'. One breeches pocket is inside out and inscribed 'equality', the other bulges with 'assignats'. On the english (right) leg is a knave of clubs ('pam') with the head of fox (cf. Bmsat 6488, &c. ) and the word 'hypocrisy'. He wears a top-boot inscribed 'post-haste to old scratch', and tramples on papers inscribed: 'religious duties', 'moral duties'. On his left leg are two oval miniatures: 'perdita' (cf. Bmsat 6117, &c. ) and 'armstead' (cf. Bmsat 7370, &c), and the words: 'valor', 'fornication', and 'step to french measures'. He wears a buckled shoe and tramples on papers inscribed 'religion', 'liberty', 'order', 'law', 'property'. Across his breeches are the words 'private virtues'. 15 january 1793 etching with hand-colouring. Date: 1793. Dimensions: Height: 350 mm; Width: 248 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. A Right Honble Democrat Dissected (BM 1868,0808.6273)