North (left) in the guise of a badger, runs off leaving a little cave under a rock. Charles fox as a fox (right) snarls at him, while he excretes a stream inscribed "eloquence". The badger is identified as north by a ribbon tied round his body, and by the four points of the compass in a circle on his head, his snout being inscribed "north". The fox stands over a bag inscribed "faro bank" from which guineas are pouring, playing-cards are strewn on the ground at his feet. In the foreground is a small bundle inscribed "budget" within which are bars inscribed "soap" and a small barrel inscribed "small beer" in allusion to the taxes proposed by north in his budget speech of 11 mar. Behind the badger is a sign-post, the two arms of which terminate in well-drawn hands. The hand of the arm pointing left, in the direction to which north is running, holds the head of a halberd, the arm is inscribed "to tower hill". The other arm points downwards at the cave which the badger has left, and is inscribed "to the treasury". Behind fox is a terminal statue inscribed "janus", one head being that of a bearded old man, the other that of a fox, it is crowned by a cylindrical headdress (?a dice-box) on which are two dice. The scene is a wooded landscape with hills. In the distance a hunt is in progress, a stag pursued by dogs; the foremost rider is the king, a minute figure who is falling from his horse after having leapt a gate. His crown falls from his head, his saddle, with the stirrups flying, is falling to the ground. 22 march 1782
etching. Date: 1782. Dimensions: Height: 250 mm; Width: 355 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. Changing places;- alias; fox stinking the badger out of his nest (BM 1851,0901.66)
Loading...
